The Single Action Army Colt's legendary Model P

Guns Magazine, July, 2003 by John Taffin

Anyone who is not emotionally affected by the graceful lines of the big bore Colt is on dangerous ground and has crossed over the line from enjoying fine handguns as works of art into the drab world of viewing them as working tools like claw hammers and computers. If this has happened, it is time to slow down, quit taking life so seriously, and begin to enjoy the finer things once again.

Some may say that the Colt Single Action is outdated and fit for museum display only. They said the same thing about the Peacemaker with the coming of the first truly workable double action revolver; they said it again in 1911 with the birth of the Colt Government Model semi-automatic; it was heard again in 1941 when the Colt was removed from production; and I heard it was ancient and not worthy of my time in the 1950s when I started shooting. I still hear it today and I still ignore it. There's no doubt the Colt Single Action is an ancient design. So is man."

Colt's custom shop has been a source for the finest in engraved and embellished guns since before Abraham Lincoln was in office. The tradition continues to this day as witnessed by these two stunning samples. The upper Colt was engraved by Master Engraver Steve Kamyk. The carved ivory stocks on the lower example are the product of William B. Ellis, with the engraving performed by John Adams senior.

TEST-FIRING THE 4 3/4 -INCH .357 MAGNUM COLT SAA

                                        Group/5
Load                             MV    Shots, 50'

.38 SPECIAL LOADS

Dry Creek 170-gr.               1,175    2 1/2"
 KT/11.5 gr. #2400
Dry Creek 170-gr.               1,271    1 5/8"
 KT/12.5 gr. #2400
Dry Creek 170-gr.               1,351    1 1/8"
 KT/13.5 gr. #2400
Oregon Trail 158-gr.            1,075    1 1/4"
 SWC/11.0 gr. #2400
RCBS #38-150-gr.                 942     2 1/8"
 KT/5.5 gr. Unique
Hornady 140-gr. XTP-HP/          959     1 3/8"
 11.D gr. #2400
Sierra 140-gr. JHP/              924     2 3/8"
 11.0 gr. #2400
Speer 140-gr. JHP/               933     2 1/8"
 11.0 gr. #2400
Black Hills 125-gr. JHP          919     1 7/8"

.357 MAGNUM LOADS

Lyman #358156GC/14.0 gr. #2400  1,441    1 1/8"
Lyman #358156GC/14.5 gr. H4227  1,225    1 3/4"
Lyman #35842gKT/14.0 gr. #2400  1,301    1 1/2"
Lyman #358429KT/14.5 gr. H4227  1,093    1 1/8"
Speer 148-Gr. HBWC/3.0 gr.       703       2"
 American Select
Hornady 158-Gr. XTP-HP/         1,221    1 1/4"
 14.0 gr. #2400
Sierra 158-gr. JHP/             1,313    1 5/8"
 14.0 gr. #2400
Speer 158-gr. GD-HP/            1,339    2 1/4"
 14.0 gr. #2400
Black Hills 125-gr. JHP         1,346    1 1/8"
Black Hills 158-gr. JHP         1,254     7/8"
Cor-Bon 125-gr. JHP             1,477      1"
Cor-Bon 140-gr. JHP             1,348    1 1/8"
Speer 125-gr. GD-HP             1,473    1 1/2"
Speer 158-gr. GD-HP             1,187    1 5/8"
Winchester 158-gr. JHP          1,257    1 3/4"

TEST-FIRING THE 5 1/2-INCH
.45 COLT SAA

Oregon Trail 250-gr. RNFP        753      1/8"
 (454")/7.0 gr. WW231
Oregon Trail 250-gr. RNFP        738       2"
 (452")/7.0 gr. WW231
Oregon Trail 250-gr. RNFP        781       2"
 (.452")/6.0 gr. Red Dot
Oregon Trail 250-gr. RNFP        721       2"
 (.452")/6.2 gr. WW452AA
Oregon Trail 250-gr. RNFP        740     1 5/8"
 (.452") 6.2 gr. N-100
Oregon Trail 255-gr. SWC         757     1 1/4"
 (454")/7.2 gr. WW231
Oregon Trail 255-gr. SWC         756       2"
 (452")/8.0 gr. Unique
Oregon Trail 255-gr. SWC         829     1 3/8"
 (.454") 18.5 gr. H4227
Lyman #454424/18.5 gr. H4227     806     1 7/8"
RCBS 45-270/17.0 gr. XMR5744     775     1 3/4"
Black Hills 250-gr. RNFP         684     1 1/2"
Black Hills 255-or. SWC          783     1 3/8"
PMC 250-gr. RNFP                 656     1 3/4"
Ten-X 250-gr. RNFP               724     1 3/4"
Ultramax 250-gr. RNFP            689     1 3/4"
4W 250-gr. RNF                   605       2"