Clips: Another Colt Single Action Army Safety Mechanism.

Published on March 9, 2022
Duration: 3:25

This expert guide details the operation of a specific safety mechanism found on some Colt Single Action Army revolvers and reproductions. It explains how a plunger, activated by the trigger, extends and rigidifies the firing pin, allowing it to strike the primer only when the hammer falls. The mechanism ensures the firearm is drop-safe by keeping the firing pin retracted and unable to contact the primer without intentional trigger manipulation.

Quick Summary

The Colt Single Action Army's safety mechanism utilizes a plunger activated by the trigger. This plunger extends and rigidifies the firing pin, ensuring it can only strike the primer when the hammer falls. This design prevents accidental discharge from drops by keeping the firing pin retracted at rest.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: Colt SAA Safety
  2. 00:22Previous Safety Mechanism Recap
  3. 00:43Floating Firing Pin Hammer Design
  4. 01:33Firing Pin Plunger Operation
  5. 01:56Trigger and Transfer Bar Interaction
  6. 02:56Call for New Safety Mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Colt Single Action Army's firing pin safety mechanism work?

The Colt SAA's safety mechanism involves a plunger that, when activated by the trigger pull, extends and rigidifies the firing pin. This ensures the firing pin can only strike the primer when the hammer falls, making the firearm drop-safe by keeping the firing pin retracted at rest.

What is a floating firing pin hammer in a Colt SAA?

A floating firing pin hammer refers to a design where the firing pin itself is loose and not fixed. In some Colt SAA models, this firing pin is so recessed that it won't contact the primer even if the hammer drops without the safety mechanism being engaged.

What role does the trigger play in the Colt SAA's safety mechanism?

The trigger has an extension that engages a plunger. When the trigger is pulled, this extension pushes the plunger, which in turn allows the firing pin to extend and become rigid, enabling it to strike the primer when the hammer falls.

Why is this Colt SAA safety mechanism considered 'drop safe'?

It's considered 'drop safe' because the firing pin is designed to remain retracted and unable to strike the primer when the firearm is at rest. Only a deliberate trigger pull activates the plunger, extending the firing pin and aligning it to fire, thus preventing accidental discharge from a drop.

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