Got my Colt SAA Peacemaker (first impressions & mini review)

[Marc.RG1]

Hi guys

This could be a bit of a long post and picture heavy so i will say sorry now..

So as some of you know i picked up my antique version of the Colt SAA Peacemaker today, for a good price to, so here is lots of pictures and my first impressions of it and just a mini review i guess, but ill do a good youtube review of it in a week or two once i have used it more..
First off i will say though the pictures really dont give the antique finish justice i think it looks better in the flesh..

I know its only a cardboard box and im not normally one to say anything about a box, but i like the look of this simple wood and western effect box..

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One thing i really liked about the antique and blued version was none of the ones i saw had exactly the same finish, so each one was unique, the antique version i chose i felt looked the best to my taste and looked more realistic, i did see one that looked a bit strange, the lettering on the trades was way to bright and it looked too worn and had to much silver in to many places, but i really liked this one though, to me is has a nice worn finish and the lettering does have a slightly duller look to it, but i will make them more dull soon..

Do you see the dark patch by for front sight? now in the flesh it dont look that dark, but i quite like it as well, it gives it an even more unique look but i know it will not be to every ones taste..

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I prefer these Cartridges compered to the BB dan wesson cartridges, If im honest i prefer the look of the pellet dan wesson cartridges but prefer the ease and function of these, loading the BB's from the rear, and they pop in nicely with hardly any pressure needed to push them in but they are not lose either.. you could put pellets in them and i know people do, but i think some skirts would damage the seal at the end as you push them through, for me this is not a target gun but a plinker so i will only be using steel BB's in them i think..

The cartridges are quite heavy so they could be made from real brass rather then a brass coating but im not 100% sure on that yet, it is a shame they are close to 357 size cartridges and not .45 size though it would be much better if they were..

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Before i saw the Colt SAA in the flesh and i first saw that the grips housed the Co2 tightening Allen key, i thought to myself well im not going to be using that, the grips look too hollow and thin to be tightening Co2 screws with they could snap, well i have changed my mind on that, the built-in allen key on the grips work very well and the grips feel stronger then they look, when i tightened the screw the Co2 pierced very easily with hardly any pressure added to fully tighten it, so i will be using this method all the time..

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Now we all know the grips are over sized to be able to use a 12g Co2 capsule, but is it me or does this angle make the grips seem more in proportion? i quite like the over sized grips anyway, i have quite small hands but these feel more comfortable to me then the real steel version grips do..

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The trigger pull on these SAA's are outstanding, it has a very light trigger pull one of the nicest i have used, its lives up to the SAA on the trigger pull thats for sure, it matches the webley markVI single action trigger pull and i really like how they are offset to the left.

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The ram rod or cartridge ejection which ever you prefer to call it works great as well, once you turn the cylinder to it free position you can use the rod to push out the shells if you like, if you gently push the rod the cartridges with slide out nicely but if you push the rod fast the cartridges will fly out lol..
You do not have to use the rod though as the shells to not expand like a real cartridge will, so you can just tilt the revolver on its side rasie the muzzle the the cartridges will just slide out anyway..

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Roll on tuesday i want another shoot. :down2:


My first impression of this revolver is, im really liking it and i am very glad i bought one, build quality seems quite nice and it has a very nice weight to it, roughly the same weight as the Webley MKVI or 6'' Dan Wesson, but i feel its MUCH better quality then the Dan Wesson revolvers..

A few people have said these are quiet and they are not that loud, but i would not say quiet, instead of a bang say like the umarex non blowback pellet pistols or even the KWC 1911's these have more or a pop and crack sound to them, like the dan wesson and pythons, but have a slight more of a crack sound if that makes sense lol..

Accuracy wise, i have only tried umarex steel BB's, i got reasonable accuracy although the sights take some getting used to, but at 20ft i was getting around 2'' and 3'' groupings free hand standing, but im sure that will improve a bit, but more then good enough to hit cans with.. I might try gamo lead balls though a few times just to chrono and test them, but i will be sticking with Steel BB's..

I lost count of how many shots per Co2 capsule i got, but you cant blame me for that i was having too much fun shooting it, but easy 100 shots, next time i shoot it i will do a proper shoot count..

OK, i think i have gone on enough about the things i like about the revolver, now some of the things i do not like much..
1st off its a bit of a pain that the cylinder can not be removed unless fully taking the gun to bits, thats not good if you want to clean your barrel and if you intend on using gamo lead balls or pellets your smooth bore barrel will get dirty fast, and your only be able to push a cleaning rod down the muzzle and this could just push dirt and dust towards the cylinder, unless you want to fully dismantle the revolver. So thats a downside..

Next, but this is common knowledge to everyone that has seen one, WE dont like the screw holes that are on show, although you do get used to them quickly hmm..
Also the hammer not fully closing but yet again we know why, but they could have changed the design, but when in half cock on display you would not know and it just looks sexy haha.

You can see some moldings but once again on the antique version i think you notice them less and overall the finish on all 3 versions is good..

Erm come on bad points, erm lol, really i cant think of any more apart from the listed, screw holes, hammer not fully closing, the cartridges not being .45 and the cylinder not being removable.. But most of us knew all this before buying one any way a..

That is it then thats me done for now, all thats left to say is, i really like mine a lot and it will sit well in my collection, if you are thinking about getting one, just do it im sure your like it and if not your be able to sell it on fast enough.. All thats left now is the time test, how long will it last when being used, i think mine will last a long time hopefully anyway as ill not be using it much, i have target pistols, fun pistols, workhorse pistols, this is my use once in awhile display revolver i think..

So the Colt SAA Peacemaker gets a high 7/10 from me, and that score could go up to 8/10 if it dont break fast lol..

HAPPY SHOOTING ALL

[harvey_s]

It's a nice piece, I particularly like the finish and well done on the review by the way.
But that hammer and the fact it's a BB gun kinda stunts my interest in ownership - maybe if they produce a pellet firer I'd turn a blind eye to the hammer

[gingernut]

Shoot one Harvey.
After you have fondled it,listened to the cocking action and slid those shells in and out.

Then see if you want to wait for a pellet version.

It is also more powerful and accurate than many pellet lobbers.

BBs are a pain - often literally,-but if you have somewhere to shoot this one you would be pleased with it.

And it sure is purty!

[Josie & John]

Very good review and it is interesting to see not all antique finishes are identical.

One of the reasons I opted for the nickel finish over antique is the markings are less pronounced. Somehow bright white markings against an antique finish scream 'fake finish' at me.

Not sure if a pellet firing version will appear as pellets can be used in the existing shells. Maybe pellet specific shells will appear in future but in the meantime I have experienced the best results with copper coated lead ball.

All in all, I think the SAA was worth the wait. I've been playing with nothing else since obtaining mine. Just goes to show shooting for fun is still fun

John

[robinghewitt]

That looks like fun, I might have to get one of them

[Marc.RG1]

No problem, thanks for the comments guys
yeah i really recommend this, not only are they fun to shoot the quality seems good as well, needs to past the test of time yet though a..

I will be making the trades more dull soon as i also think they stand out just a little too much..

ATB, Marc..

[Hombre]

Well done on the write up Marc.RG1 I'm sure it will be of help to many.

For those who want to put a little more meat on the bone take a look here - should answer pretty much all your questions.
http://www.pyramydair.com/search-res...;NB:1&saSearch

As for me, this is a 10/10 gun all the way. It's not "perfect" in the literal sense but it is by far the most evocative airgun I have ever owned and has without doubt, even in the quite short time that I have had it, given the most pleasure. The reason is twofold, firstly it is superbly made and is as close as most of us will sensibly get to owning a shooting version of the real thing. The Colt SAA must surely be the most seen and recognised weapon from stage and screen ever. It is quite simply an icon. The simple, functional design of the original was both groundbreaking and stunning and is wonderfully replicated in this Umarex version and it is accurate with both BBs and pellets.

My best so far and that is with pretty minimal practice is a six shot group of 0.875" ctc from 15 feet off-hand standing. That was with JSB Exact Express. BBs best so far around an inch or so but could do better I'm sure.

The second reason I rate this as 10/10 is quite simply because of its emotional pull. If like me you grew up with Roy Rodgers, The Lone Ranger, all the way through to films like The Magnificent Seven, The Dollar Films, The Wild Bunch, Butch and Sundance, Once Upon A Time In The West and more recently Unforgiven and Open Range and you remember the smell of sulphur from your cap pistols and the disappointment of running out of ammo behind that bale of hay in the barn in the days before it all became rather non PC then you will understand what I'm talking about. Along with Gingernut I defy anyone who has that kind of history to hold one of these Colts, listen to the cocking clicks and run your eye over the superb finish and not want one on the spot.

And if you don't, I'd check your pulse if I were you!!

And finally a gun that gives as much as this in so many ways has no right to be this cheap.
I was expecting something good after all the reviews I had read and watched before I bought one, even so it would have been so easy to have been disappointed or at best to have had misgivings but the real thing has surpassed all my expectations.

This is serious fun with a huge dose of nostalgia thrown in. I and many millions of others have been waiting decades for this revolver - still tickled pink!!

Absolutely wicked

ATB
Hombre

[gingernut]

That's what I meant to say!

[hedgemumper]

Good words Hombre, I'm absolutely over the moon with my nickel version it really is a thing of beauty! And coupled with my John Beattie holster rig it has an air of class about it even if the rig was almost the same price as the pistol! I've spent many an hour shooting it and have come to the conclusion that H&N copper coated lead bb's are the ammo of choice. (Finding it hard to get them now though so lucky I have about 6000 of them). Happy shooting peeps.

[Hombre]

That's what I meant to say!

You did say it - I just take a little longer getting to the point

Thanks Hedgemumper - very glad to hear you are enjoying yours as much as I am. The rig sounds interesting, must check that out.
H&N copper coated lead BBs sounds suitably exotic, although with only 6000 you'll need to ration yourself quite strictly
I imagine they also flatten more readily and rebound less than steel?

ATB
Hombre

[hedgemumper]

You did say it - I just take a little longer getting to the point

Thanks Hedgemumper - very glad to hear you are enjoying yours as much as I am. The rig sounds interesting, must check that out.
H&N copper coated lead BBs sounds suitably exotic, although with only 6000 you'll need to ration yourself quite strictly
I imagine they also flatten more readily and rebound less than steel?

ATB
Hombre

Here's a link to the rig (mines the w150) it's fantastic quality. http://www.pistol-leather.co.uk/Hols...gs%20Belts.htm

The ammo isn't a problem now Protek has them back in stock, they are great ammo if you are shooting at metal targets as like you say they don't rebound as readily as steel bb's.

[Hombre]

Here's a link to the rig (mines the w150) it's fantastic quality. http://www.pistol-leather.co.uk/Hols...gs%20Belts.htm

The ammo isn't a problem now Protek has them back in stock, they are great ammo if you are shooting at metal targets as like you say they don't rebound as readily as steel bb's.

Hey! that rig looks very cool I might just have to break open the grand-children's' piggy bank
Are the copper coated lead BBs from Protek that you're using the ones at the top right of page two of the ammo section in size 4.4mm?

Cheers
Hombre

[Marc.RG1]

Hi guys, solware also do the H&N copper coated lead BB's but at £6.50 for 500 I think that are very expensive, rebounds are not an issue for me so I think ill be sticking to umarex steel BB's but will will see after the accuracy tests..

Lol I bought the stainless / nickel version from the gun shop yesterday, they made me an offer I just could not refuse, ill post some pictures later.. I should also be doing all my shooting tests later in the evening as well..

ATB, marc..

[Benelli B76]

Hi guys, solware also do the H&N copper coated lead BB's but at £6.50 for 500 I think that are very expensive, rebounds are not an issue for me so I think ill be sticking to umarex steel BB's but will will see after the accuracy tests..

Lol I bought the stainless / nickel version from the gun shop yesterday, they made me an offer I just could not refuse, ill post some pictures later.. I should also be doing all my shooting tests later in the evening as well..

ATB, marc..

Was it cheaper than mine £103 ? Paid my mate extra £7 for collecting it from RFD. He bought 3 for himself.

Baz

[hedgemumper]

Hey! that rig looks very cool I might just have to break open the grand-children's' piggy bank
Are the copper coated lead BBs from Protek that you're using the ones at the top right of page two of the ammo section in size 4.4mm?

Cheers
Hombre

Yes that's the bb's I have. Raid that piggy bank!