Hi there,
I am brand new here and I wouldn't bother you if I wouldn't be at the end of my rope.
A few months ago I purchased my first Bisley. It had some real bad work done on it by probably the worst gunsmith in Europe (I would explain everything but that would lead us too far away from the problem I still have with it). It is already a lot better now but not yet as it should be. The timing is a bit off and replacing the bolt alone, didn't satisfy my wishes. It needs a new hand because the one that's on it, is worn too far off resulting in the cylinder not rotating far enough before full cock (cocking a bit further than full cock and the bolt is in the slot but that is not how it is supposed to be).
Colt made no difference in the serial numbers of the SAA and the Bisley. The both just ran along together. I therefore think that the frame, and therefore also the size of the frame is exactly the same as for an SAA, except for the back that is a bit higher to be able to get the Bisley back strap on it.
But if the frame itself has the same size, wouldn't the hand be the same as for a 1st generation SAA as well then?
For weeks I have been searching the internet and this here forum in my quest for a straight and reliable answer. Some webpages and even well known gunsmiths say that the hand for a Bisley is larger because of the larger frame. I find that hard to believe. I contacted several Colt parts dealers, both in Europe and in the US with the question if or not a 1st generation hand would fit a Bisley and everywhere I've got the same answer: "We don't have a hand for a Bisley." (even those with 1st generation hands available on their web sites).
What to think of this?
I have seen that rhmc24 has a Bisley as well as an SAA (see thread http://www.coltforum.com/forums/single-action-army/85441-bisley-conversion-saa.html). As I suspected: they are just the same size, except for the back that has a different hight.
Did anyone yet compare the two hands, Bisley and SAA 1st generation? I couldn't find that on this forum, therefore this new thread.
By the way, I am already making a hand myself out of 1041 steel but it would (of course) be a lot easier if I could just go and buy a 1st generation hand and fit it in.
(my next question will -- be how to fit the hand properly to the cylinder (in a professional way that is)).
Thanks in advance.
Here's my gun and the worn off hand:
I am brand new here and I wouldn't bother you if I wouldn't be at the end of my rope.
A few months ago I purchased my first Bisley. It had some real bad work done on it by probably the worst gunsmith in Europe (I would explain everything but that would lead us too far away from the problem I still have with it). It is already a lot better now but not yet as it should be. The timing is a bit off and replacing the bolt alone, didn't satisfy my wishes. It needs a new hand because the one that's on it, is worn too far off resulting in the cylinder not rotating far enough before full cock (cocking a bit further than full cock and the bolt is in the slot but that is not how it is supposed to be).
Colt made no difference in the serial numbers of the SAA and the Bisley. The both just ran along together. I therefore think that the frame, and therefore also the size of the frame is exactly the same as for an SAA, except for the back that is a bit higher to be able to get the Bisley back strap on it.
But if the frame itself has the same size, wouldn't the hand be the same as for a 1st generation SAA as well then?
For weeks I have been searching the internet and this here forum in my quest for a straight and reliable answer. Some webpages and even well known gunsmiths say that the hand for a Bisley is larger because of the larger frame. I find that hard to believe. I contacted several Colt parts dealers, both in Europe and in the US with the question if or not a 1st generation hand would fit a Bisley and everywhere I've got the same answer: "We don't have a hand for a Bisley." (even those with 1st generation hands available on their web sites).
What to think of this?
I have seen that rhmc24 has a Bisley as well as an SAA (see thread http://www.coltforum.com/forums/single-action-army/85441-bisley-conversion-saa.html). As I suspected: they are just the same size, except for the back that has a different hight.
Did anyone yet compare the two hands, Bisley and SAA 1st generation? I couldn't find that on this forum, therefore this new thread.
By the way, I am already making a hand myself out of 1041 steel but it would (of course) be a lot easier if I could just go and buy a 1st generation hand and fit it in.
(my next question will -- be how to fit the hand properly to the cylinder (in a professional way that is)).
Thanks in advance.
Here's my gun and the worn off hand: