Make: Colt Custom Shop

Model: Single Action Army, P1840Z

Serial Number: SA95639

Year of Manufacture: 1992

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side-Loading Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a "one-piece" stag (actually two panels adhered to a center wood piece) with gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Full Royal Blue

Finish Originality: Original, matching numbered parts.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, there is a little bit of leading in the forcing cone. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are a few nicks and short scratches, mostly on the barrel and butt. The action shows faint operational wear. The barrel is indexed about 3-5 degrees to the right, the barrel address is in-line with the front sight, but is just slightly off top-center. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition and would easily rate Fine wih the barrel properly indexed.

Mechanics: The action functiona correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a two-piece blue cardboard Colt box with white sleeve, serial-matching label and factory paperwork including manual.

Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production of the single Action Army for the second time. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 3/4”, 5 1/2” and 7 1/2”, finishes of full nickel or blue with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.

Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976 and a host of other chamberings would follow.

Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1992, this revolver was produced by the Colt Custom Shop. Chambered for .45 Colt with a 4 3/4" barrel, it has a full Royal Blue finish rather than the standard Blue & Case Color. It has been equipped with an attractive set of stag grips, giving it a very distinctive appearance. The barrel is indexed about 3-5 degrees off, but the mechanics are otherwise spot-on. This will make a neat addition to a Colt collection as a Custom Ship 3rd Gen Single Action Army. Please see our photos and good luck!