what are the differences in second and third generation Colt single action revolvers?

Answer 1

Second generation production began in 1956 with 0001SA and ceased in 1975 at approximate serial number 73319SA. Collector and historian Don Wilkerson wrote that Colt actually made 10 second generation SAAs in November 1955. 2 Colt skipped the serial numbers after the end of second generation production up until 80,000SA. 3

Third generation production resumed in 1976 at serial number 80,000SA. Some changes were made to third generation guns including a new hand, cylinder rachet, barrel threads, and pressed in cylinder bushing. When serial number 99,999SA was reached, they changed the format to add an SA prefix. Serial numbering started over at SA0001. That was continued up until SA99,999 was reached in 1993. Then they started over again with S00001A where it continues to this day. During this period the Colt factory also moved to a different location and some manufacturing methods might have changed, but the physical third generation guns are the same. The quality of third generation guns has improved over the years. Colt had some quality problems in the 1980s, but the current guns are very well made. Again, according to Colt (it's their gun) there are NO fourth generation SAAs. 4 Recently, Colt re-introduced the floating cylinder bushing to the third generation. The new bushing appeared in March 2003 with serial number S3439xA.

Some people mistakenly believe that any SAA with an SA suffix (xxxxSA) is a second generation, but this is incorrect. Some people also believe that any SAA with a split SxxxxA is a "fourth generation" but again this is incorrect.

After all, in the period from 1873-1940 numerous production changes were made to the SAA including going from iron to steel frames, changing from "black powder" to so-called "smokeless" frames, changing size of the front sights, changing cylinder beveling, changing rear sight groove (twice), changing hammer styles, ejector housings beveling, etc. All the guns made during this period are called first generation guns, even though one made in 1873 is quite a bit different than one made in 1940. These guns are still referred to as first generation even with all the differences.

Answer 2

Well, I won,t go into that much detail. Mostly the old black hawks and red hawks ect. were just plain jane but the newer models have better saftey , like the little slide that raises up when you pull the hammer back and allows the hammer to hit the firing pin. If you don,t pull the trigger the slide will fall and the gun won,t go off.