Cowboy Loads Safe in BP Colt SAA?

Big Daddy Don

I tried searching the forums, feeling certain that someone must've asked this in the past, but I didn't find anything - maybe it's a bonehead question and I just don't know it yet?! If so, I'm SURE someone will clue me in!

Are smokeless powder Cowboy loads safe to shoot in a Colt SAA 1st generation black powder .45 that's been fully restored? All the parts are the original ones ...

I know the frames had to be made stronger to handle the higher pressures of the smokeless ammo, but are Cowboy loads low-pressure enough that they would be safe for both me and the gun? I've also seen reduced Cowboy loads (must feel like firing a .22!), and black powder substitute loads (and I have no idea what they are) ...

Thanks for your response(s)!

HandgunHTR52

The Cowboy loads should be ok, but if you are worried go with the reduced Cowboy loads. As for your question about BP substitute loads they are loads that are loaded with BP substitute like Pyrodex.

perry shooter

Hello I would say it all depends on how much money you have in the pistol and as Clint said "DO YO FEEL LUCKY" I have a Ainsworth colt all matching I used to shoot and a S&W #3 target 98% I shot over 100 times after cleaning the S&W one day I closed the action and the top strap SNAPPED [xx(] $4000.00 gun went to a $100.00 parts gun in one second [:0][:(]. Remember the metal on these guns are over 100 years. I hate to have a gun I don't shoot but as tight as I am I hate to loose big bucks even more[;)]

Old-Colts

I really can't answer your question about cowboy loads, but I will provide the following. While Colt manufactured the Single Action for black powder cartridges until about 1896, or around serial number 165,000, Colt did not warrant Single Actions for use with smokeless powder until 1898, or around serial number 175,000. Having said that, I believe there comes a time when you have to retire these old guns. Personally, I no longer shoot Single Actions under serial number 185,000 (arbitrary, my choice), but when I did it was only using black powder or pyrodex loads. I still shoot factory and my carefully loaded hand loads in a few of my Single Actions, but as perry shooter suggests it isn't without risks. Every time I pull the trigger on a 100 year old single action I wonder if I'm about to loose some serious bucks, not to mention eyes, hand, etc.

Here is a picture of a black powder Single Action (serial number in the 142,000 range - 1891) a friend gave me about 25 years ago. As the story goes, he got it from someone that shot a factory smokeless powder load in it. Whether is was a smokeless powder load, miscalculation on a hand load, or the single action had been stressed over time and just decided to let go; I don't really know. However, the result was the same, one less single action around and it could have resulted in serious injuries. I have the remainder of the parts from this gun, except the barrel assembly, and hopefully one of these days I'll get around to putting it in a shadow box. Just food for thought and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

PB Picture removed.

v35

That's an interesting failure for an SAA.
One would expect a burst chamber, on the paper thin .45 Long Colt cylinder, and a bulged top strap. Instead, there's separation through heavy sections without visible deformation; in short a brittle failure.
The gun was once a rusty dog as can be seen by the cylinder notches, surface pitting and well rounded joints.
The timing could likely also have been off.
I suspect the last "restoration" involved derusting with Hydrochloric acid leading to hydrogen embrittlement of the frame.
Many 1st Generation SAAs were updated to smokeless by changing out cylinders and barrels.

rhmc24

I'm with v35 on this. I doubt that was a failure from overload at all. The breakage looks more like it was subject to force from right to left at the muzzle end, spliting the frame at the barrel thread. Also correct about the cylinder being most prone to pressure failure. I have some sad experience with that. When I was young and foolish, about 16, I blew out the top of a .44 Colt cylinder with some powder I had made using potassium chlorate instead of pot nitrate. It was a gun in fine condition with about 50% finish, then worth maybe $15-20. Colt SAA then new was $37.50.

My grandmother said it took me a long time getting up 'fool's hill'.

Been there, Done that!