[Monsai52]

At approximately what s/n did Colt switch back to the removable cylinder bushings on the 3rd gen SAAs?

Best regards,

 

[mtidasnubby]

I believe somewhere in the S33XXXA range.

 

[Monsai52]

Thanks for the info. Do you know what year they made the change? (It was late when I posted and I forgot to ask in my original post.)

Best regards,

 

[Andy Bullen]

The information I have suggests it was about S26XXXA in 1999.

 

[DL1949MF]

A forum member gave a complete serial number listing for 3rd generation SAA's and it says in 2003 2nd generation removable bushings reintroduced at serial number S34000A.

 

[outboard]

My SAA #S33936A has the pressed in bushing.

 

[Monsai52]

Thanks everyone. It sound like with the additional info from outbound that 2003 at S34000A is probably correct.Best regards,

 

[Monsai52]

Sorry, I meant outboard. I'm using my cell phone and I can't edit the post to correct.Best regards,

 

[Colt75]

The listing for 3rd Generation SAAs I got from a forum member shows two dates for the re-introduction of the removable cylinder bushing -- 1999 and 2003. I'll go with the later.

 

[highhand8]

The Third Generation began in 1976, characterized by a change in barrel thread pitch and a solid cylinder bushing replacing the removable/replaceable part from the first and second generations. This series ran until 1982 as a limited-issue product with the serial number range of SA80,000 to SA99,999. In 1994, production of the SAA resumed with the increase in popularity of "Cowboy Action Shooting" matches. These models are known either as "Late Third Generation" or sometimes Fourth Generation. They have the original style removable/replaceable cylinder bushing. The serial number for this series started at S02001A and continued to use the "S" prefix and "A" suffix to 2009. Colt currently offers the Single Action Army in one of two finishes: either an all-nickel, or blued with color case-hardened frame; in the traditional three barrel lengths: 4¾", 5½" and 7½"; and six chamberings: .32-20, .38-40, .44-40, .38 Special, .357 Magnum or .45 Colt; a total of 36 variations.[SUP][19][/SUP]
Colt manufactured Third Generation Buntlines and New Frontiers through the Colt Custom Shop, as well as many engraved pistols. In 2010, Colt released a "revival" of the Frontier Six Shooter with a nickel finish.[SUP][19][/SUP]

 

[TBone]

The Third Generation began in 1976, characterized by a change in barrel thread pitch and a solid cylinder bushing replacing the removable/replaceable part from the first and second generations. This series ran until 1982 as a limited-issue product with the serial number range of SA80,000 to SA99,999. In 1994, production of the SAA resumed with the increase in popularity of "Cowboy Action Shooting" matches. These models are known either as "Late Third Generation" or sometimes Fourth Generation. They have the original style removable/replaceable cylinder bushing. The serial number for this series started at S02001A and continued to use the "S" prefix and "A" suffix to 2009. Colt currently offers the Single Action Army in one of two finishes: either an all-nickel, or blued with color case-hardened frame; in the traditional three barrel lengths: 4¾", 5½" and 7½"; and six chamberings: .32-20, .38-40, .44-40, .38 Special, .357 Magnum or .45 Colt; a total of 36 variations.[SUP][19][/SUP]
Colt manufactured Third Generation Buntlines and New Frontiers through the Colt Custom Shop, as well as many engraved pistols. In 2010, Colt released a "revival" of the Frontier Six Shooter with a nickel finish.[SUP][19][/SUP]

Some of your information is at odds with this page, quoted for me in another thread by Arjay.

According to this, there was not break in production (maybe a slow down?) in the 3rd Gen. years, and the removable cylinder bushing was reintroduced in 1999. I'm not saying which is correct, just looking to find out which of the two is right, so I can have an accurate knowledge base.

 

[Monsai52]

Some of your information is at odds with this page, quoted for me in another thread by Arjay.

According to this, there was not break in production (maybe a slow down?) in the 3rd Gen. years, and the removable cylinder bushing was reintroduced in 1999. I'm not saying which is correct, just looking to find out which of the two is right, so I can have an accurate knowledge base.

This is where some of the confusion comes in, because that page shows that in 1999 "cylinders with removable bushing reintroduced", and it also states that in 2003 "the 2nd gen removable bushing is reintroduced" So I guess to have a definitive answer, we need to hear from some SAA owners who have guns that were manufactured after 1999 and before 2003, whether or not their SAAs have removable bushings.

Best regards,

 

[Smokem]

I just bought S306xxA NIB 45. Serial # makes it a 2000 and it does not have a removable bushing. S34000A in 2003 it came back.

 

[Colt75]

The Third Generation began in 1976, characterized by a change in barrel thread pitch and a solid cylinder bushing replacing the removable/replaceable part from the first and second generations. This series ran until 1982 as a limited-issue product with the serial number range of SA80,000 to SA99,999. In 1994, production of the SAA resumed with the increase in popularity of "Cowboy Action Shooting" matches. These models are known either as "Late Third Generation" or sometimes Fourth Generation. They have the original style removable/replaceable cylinder bushing. The serial number for this series started at S02001A and continued to use the "S" prefix and "A" suffix to 2009. [SUP][19][/SUP]
[SUP][19][/SUP]

There is no "4th Generation" (according to Colt!) and SAA production never stopped in 1982. Where did this information come from?

 

[Smokem]

There was a break in production in 1986 due to a strike and that was the only break. The above came from Wikipedia I believe

 

[saintclair]

S26457A is the exact number according to an expert who listed on the Forum a while ago. Here is some of his other data. I hope he jumps in and takes gredit since I don't have his name.

3rd Generation Colt Dates of Manufacturing Updated to 2012

Serial number at the beginning of the year.

1976 80000SA
1977 82000SA
1978 90500SA - 99999SA - SA01001
1979 SA13000
1980 SA30250
1981 SA46900
1982 SA58628
1983 SA65256
1984 SA66496
1985 SA70500
1986 Not Available - Factory Strike
1987 SA70813
1988 SA71464 - SA72269 SA90136 - SA94433
1989 SA94434
1990 Not Available Most from existing frames.
1991 SA94673 9mm and Birdshead grip frame introduced. New Blue Box with White Shell introduced.
1992 SA96588 Long Flute Cylinders introduced.
1993 SA99879 - SA99999 "SA changed to "SxxxxxA".
S02001A - S07005A .38-40 introduced.
1994 S07006A Screwless frame introduced.
1995 S10123A
1996 S12560A
1997 S15886A
1998 S21569A
1999 S26457A Cylinders with removable bushing re-introduced.

 

[saintclair]

Some additional data from the same source:

FT00001 Colt Cowboy introduced.
2000 S29100A
2001 S31500A
2002 S33400A
2003 S34000A .38 special reintroduced (S34600A). 2nd Gen. removable bushing re-introduced.
2004 S34500A Late December Shipments of re-introduced .32/20
2005 S38000A
2006 S41300A
2007 S42900A & S53000A (out of sequence due to two different vendors for frames)
2008 S48100A & S57300A (out of sequence continues)Etched Panel re-introduced on .44-40.
2009 S48300A & S57300A
2010 S49000A & S64000A (out of sequence continues)Nickel Plated .44-40 etched panel introduced)
2011 S48000A and S65000A (out of sequence con't.) 175th Anniversary SAA produced in 3 barrel lengths)

NF20000 (New Frontier production resumes)
2012 S66200A (7 1/2" 175th Anniversary SAA's production concludes)

 

[saintclair]

I cannot speak to the issue that two "Re-introduction of removable bushings" as follows:

1999 S26457A Cylinders with removable bushings re-introduced

2003 S34000A 38 Special (S34600A). 2nd Gen removable bushing re-introduced

 

[Bk2bay6]

I just bought a 1978 or 79 New Frontier. The serial number is 05124NF. I don't see that on the chart posted by SaintClair. My gun must have the pressed in bushing. How much of an issue is that? Any thoughts?

 

[Hondo44]

At approximately what s/n did Colt switch back to the removable cylinder bushings on the 3rd gen SAAs?

Best regards,

Nothing is absolute by serial #s when it comes to gun manufacturer changes. They are not built with updated parts in order or shipped in order. Therefore one can only give a range of when the changes actually show up on the guns.

The 1st/2nd Gen style removable cyl bushings were first used on 3rd Gens in the "Colt SAA 125th Anniversary" model in 1998. There were only 2000 made using unused 2nd Gen serial numbers 74000 -75999 with SA as a prefix instead of a suffix or the split S in front and A in the rear of the serial number. The removal bushings start showing up sporadically in regular production after that. So before about 2004 the guns must be physically checked for the removable bushing.

Jim