OT Height of front sight on Colt SAA?

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:19 pm

What is the correct height of the front sight on a 1920 Colt SAA 38-40 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel? I have asked the Colt forum to help but they are always slow to respond. The SA had a 7 1/2 inch barrel cut to 4 3/4, so a new sight is being added. What height should it be. Thanks! P.S. I didn't cut the barrel it was done along time ago and a sloppy sight was installed.

klhill · Post by **klhill** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:56 pm

I've checked a couple of Colt reference books with no luck. If I can find my Kuhnhauser Colt book it might have it. My 3rd gen 38-40 4&3/4" is at my brothers house so he might be able to measure it.Should be similar to 1st gen.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:28 pm

rangerider7 wrote:What is the correct height of the front sight on a 1920 Colt SAA 38-40 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel? I have asked the Colt forum to help but they are always slow to respond. The SA had a 7 1/2 inch barrel cut to 4 3/4, so a new sight is being added. What height should it be. Thanks! P.S. I didn't cut the barrel it was done along time ago and a sloppy sight was installed.

I have no idea what height an OEM front sight would be, but you could go shoot it with the sight that's on it, then use the calculator on the Brownells sight to determine how tall your front sight should be, then have one made that height. It would save filing on it later.

Joe

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:54 pm

I'll check my two SAA's in 45 Colt and post them for you. I don't know if there is a difference between the calibers. I also have Kuhhausen's book and I'll try and find it for a reference.

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:12 pm

I measured my 5-1/2 at .291 to the top of the bbl and .312 for the 4-3/4 but both of these were filed very slightly to adjust POI. You would probably be safe telling the gunsmith .350 and filing it down if she shoots low.

Edit: My 5-1/2 is a .44-40 1st gen and the 4-3/4 is a .44 Special, 2nd gen. I really believe you could start at .350 and be safe with any caliber - it should shoot low so you can file it to adjust bullet strike.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:43 pm

My two third gen SAA's in 45 Colt have .335 and .330 tall front sights. They shoot a hair high and left at 25 yards as most all SAA's do from the factory. I haven't found my Kuhnhausen book yet.

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:14 pm

FWIW;

My new 3rd Gen. 44-40's have a front sight that is .302 from the top of the barrel and shoot POA at 25 yards with a 200 gr bullet.

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:26 pm

All four of my SAA Colts including .45 and .357 started out new with the same height .But I haven't the means to measure them. 3 ,late 3rd gen and the other is early 3rd. One I filed down to fit myself. Don't know if this is any help though .

Mutt

OT Height of front sight on Colt SAA?

OT Height of front sight on Colt SAA?

Re: OT Height of front sight on Colt SAA?