Call them Joe and ask. They’ve promptly answered the phone when I’ve called.

 

I know what they would say, that it’s rated only for standard 45 Colt loads.

I was not thinking 44 magnum type loads, but primarily would it hold up better than the Colt shooting heavier loads that is often loaded and shot in the Colt or the heavy loaded standard pressure Buffalo Bore 45 Colt loads pushing a 250 grain bullet at 1000 FPS. No way I am thinking Ruger type loads.

Joe

 

The S & W Model 25 .45 Colt was not considered safe with higher pressure loads for the same reason that the S.A.A. .45 Colt isn't: The cylinder wall thickness at the cylinder notches is too thin.
Some assume that because the Model 29 .44 Magnum is the same size frame that all is okay.
I cannot help but think that the Standard Mfg. S.A. will be ratted for standard velocity ammunition only.

I would heed the advice in the Speer Reloading Manual in the data for the Ruger .45: If you want a .44 magnum then get a .44 Magnum.

 

Well Uberti used an actual forged frame and a cylinder milled from bar stock. Standard uses the same Uberti spec for their gun which is milled all from bar stock.

At least on the face of it the Standard isn't going to be as s strong as a Uberti cool. Forgings will be stronger than milled bar stock for strength and durability. Ubertis get proofed out of house in Italy by their Federal government at a claimed 3x the typical caliber SAMMI spec.

Coyyote had a good thread with some useful data....

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/single-action-army/338586-heavy-loads-uberti-clones.html

I wouldn't use the most common hot loads used in Ubertis or Colt's in a USFA gun or a Standard even though they have the bigger Uberti size cylinder.

Uberti and Colt both used forged frames. Everyone uses bar stock barrels and cylinders. I might be wrong but I think it is only Colt that actually heat treats their cylinders (By the specs. Colt's are the smallest and should be the weakest cylinders) but heat treat could up that a good bit.

 

I'd bet the farm it'll handle the same loads as a Ruger New Vaquero and the Uberti's. Remember, the Ruger and Uberti's are chambered in 45 ACP whose factory +P loads run in the 23,000 psi range, and since their cylinders have about the same external dimensions as the Standard, I'd imagine the Standard would handle the same pressure loads. You can ask them, but I think we all already know the answer.

Cholla

 

It aint the cylinder dimensions that count. It is how much steel there is left between chamber and lock slot for the bolt that is the weak link in a Colt/SAA.

This is how they get "blown" with too much pressure. A USFA USA made cylinder btw. Locking slots are bad on 4 or the 6 cylinders here.



Colt has the least amount of steel at the bolt cuts but they use a heat treated cylinder to add strength to the cylinder.

Uberti, USFA, Standard all use a bigger (and same size) cylinder and offer slightly more metal on the lock slot.

I don't believe..please correct me if I am wrong...that Ruger has the same size anything.

That lock slot and the added steel of a 44 Special cylinder wall compared to a 45 Colt cylinder is why you can push the pressure limits in a 44 Special in a Colt SAA. Can't do it in a 44/40 or a 38-40 either but you can in a 38 Special and a 32-20 until you start getting primer flow that will lock up the guns.

 

The diameter of the cylinder has a direct influence on the cylinder wall thickness under the bolt notch, provided the distance from the chambers to the center of the cylinder remains the same, which it does on Uberti's vs Ruger New Vaquero's. In the post you inked above, I provided pictured and measurements to illustrate this.

In the April-May issue of Handloader Magazine Brian Pearce addresses this in his column. He also states that current production Uberti's cylinders are made of 4130 steel and he's tested them to around 34 Rockwell. I found this info that indicates the 4130 is not as "tough" as 4140, but is slightly more machine-able.

https://www.capitalsteel.net/news/blog/4130-vs-4140-steel-comparison

So, all things the same, it appears maybe Standard's cylinders might be stronger than one of identical size but made of 4130.

Cholla

 

The diameter of the cylinder has a direct influence on the cylinder wall thickness under the bolt notch, provided the distance from the chambers to the center of the cylinder remains the same...

Yes, as I mentioned previous.."Uberti, USFA, Standard all use a bigger (and same size) cylinder and offer slightly more metal on the lock slot."

Everything being equal you should have a stronger cylinder. But the steel is different and if you aren't heat treating the cylinders the strength is going to be different. Uberti's idea (which USFA and Standard have followed) of a bigger cylinder (1.679") was brilliant. But Colt heat treats their smaller cylinder (1.650" @ .645 min/.654" max) Which is better? Both are going to give you a stronger cylinder. But yes either way the larger Uberti spec cylinder does offer more metal (.03+/-) on the bolt locking cut. That cut for the bolt is the weak link in the Colt styled SAA of any sort.​

 

The cylinder is one thing. Look at the top strap of the frame. All "traditional" SAA types have rather thin straps. A mild amount of steel for mild pressures. Ruger can handle much stronger loads because of that huge, thick, strong, some would say unappealing chunk of steel that makes up the Blackhawk's top strap. As to the limits of the Standard Manufacturing SAA, one way to find out, and it is not a safe way.

Many of Hamilton Bowen's huge caliber conversions were good with high pressures as they had 5 shot cylinders - thus the bolt notch fell between the chambers and had essentially no effect on strength. That is how Charter Arms could make a compact .44 Special based on the design of their pocket-sized .38 special revolver.

 

The cylinder is one thing. Look at the top strap of the frame. All "traditional" SAA types have rather thin straps......

And why both Colt and Uberti build frames from forgings and not bar stock.

 

I will be ...have been loading mine like I do my USFA, up to about a max of 21-23K . Most folks already load their saa well beyond the limit and don't even realize it . For example the old time proven load of 9gr/Unique and a 260gr Keith bullet is about 20-21K and is a very common load for folks to use in therir .45's , even 8.5 gr Unique goes beyond the 14K limit .