Welcome LRG0706

Thanks for the welcome. How's that New Frontier overhaul coming along anyway? I have yet to break down my S&W 29-10 4" to that degree. I'm sure it could use it, but I'm a little intimidated at stripping it down like that... but I need to learn. After the holiday rush I reckon I'll get to it.

     Welcome.......LRG0706

Sure looking forward to learning all I can on the forum. Wish all a safe New Year's holiday.

Randy: The Colt New Frontier is doing great, the trigger is a lot smoother and it seems to work a lot slicker and smoother when I cock it etc. If I were you I would take the plunge and take yours apart, just remove the sideplate and look first. Then if you feel confident enough to take parts out and put them back  you could just smooth everything up carefully, I would recommend not touching the hammer notches or trigger tip etc. as any change can be hard to repair on those. I mostly used a stone, some super fine grit paper and just polished all surfaces that touched or rotate and very carefully checked all the holes for any burrs or stuff. On a Smith I don't know what else is needed, I wouldn't lighten any springs or anything as that could really change the ignition or timing;  but on the SAA I lightened the hammer spring by simply putting some plastic shims in front of the spring where it screws to the frame, Elmer wrote once about using a leather shim but I was afraid the leather might have some residue or acid that might rust the frame so I used some platic from a credit card to make several shims and tired it until it wouldn't pop forward on it's own then took out one or two shims and it really lighted the trigger; but you have to try it and make sure you still get good primer ignition, I tried a bunch of primed cases as I did it and settled on that for now. I would make sure I had a good schematic of that Smith so you can clearly see where everything is and goes. I took my Python apart and very carefully inspected it before I checked out the action for any problems, but, my Python was an early 60's vintage and hand fitted so I simply put it back together without doing anything other than oiling. I was brought a Smith &Wesson K22 once in a bag in pieces! The owner had taken it apart and forgot how it went back together so I spent several hours carefully fitting it back together and had to scrounge up a schematic for it so I could double check my assembly. Luckily it functioned fine and I breathed a sigh of relief when I test fired it and it worked just fine. A double action is a dream when it works but a disaster if it doesn't!  If you don't do anything else just carefully inspect the inner working, carefully remove any crud and lightly oil or lube and put the sideplate back on. It will probably work fine. Chris S

I sure appreciate the time you put into explaining that Chris. I went back to work after the holiday break today and expect to be able to take a good look at the Smith action this weekend.  I'm definitely going to follow your advice and consult a good schematic.

Changing topics a bit, I am in the market for my first single action. If I name some prerequisites, you reckon you might make some recommendations? As is my nature, I am probably making this too difficult, but I think I know what I want.
I have considered the following as options:
Freedom Arms Model 97 in .44 Special
Colt 3rd Generation (I'd leave the factory grips on in this case)
Ruger Vaquero
Uberti

After reading the following ridiculous list of prerequisites, is there an manufacturer option not listed above I am missing? What would you do if you were green like me and wanted to buy right the first time?

The weapon would need to have the following characteristics:

Barrel no longer than 4.75"

Chambered for .44 Mag or Special (I reload for these now. I would probably shoot .44 Specials only out of a weapon chambered for Magnum, anyway). I don't want to buy all the dies for a "new" caliber (.45 Long Colt) just yet, but I'm building up to it.

Prefer blued or case hardened finish, but will grudgingly accept nickel or stainless if all else is just right...

Must have front blade fixed sights and v-notch rear. Adjustable sights of any type are a no-go.

I would prefer the old action. What I mean is action similar to the Colt SAA and not like the modernized Ruger single action, but if I have to get this because it can handle the work load, no biggie.

I would prefer one-piece smooth wood grips. Checkering is a no-go. Open to honey (blonde) or rich walnut for finish.

And most important of all, the weapon would need to be capable of routinely shooting loads with modern powder up to 255 grain lead SWC slugs with velocity approaching 950 FPS. A weapon rated only for cowboy action loads would be a no-go. It would need to be a work horse, so to speak. I have found some beautiful Uberti's I would snatch up in a heartbeat, but I get the impression all Uberti's fall into the cowboy action category I just described.
In January I (amazingly) will come into a little extra cash, and this is how I want to spend it.

Any suggestions would be most welcome! 

Randy, I am by no means an expert on which SAA's are the best. I like my Colt and there are quite a few new and second generation Colt with fixed sights out there in 44 Special. I don't know if USFA is still in business as there has been lots of talk about there being no guns in stock, but used ones should be around. There are two Vaquero sizes, the old size is big like a Blackhawk and the new one is slightly smaller, I don't know how much as I have never seen the two together to compare them.The FA is a premium weapon and should last a lifetime and I have never heard of anyone complaining about one but they are a bit more expensive. I think the Uberti's are ok also but know nothing about them. I guess the best advice would be see if you can find people who have the various models and see if you can try them out or maybe a gunshop will let you test one? If you start with a Ruger you can always buy an FA later once you know what you like. I'm sorry I can't give you any better advice. Maybe some of the other memebrs on here will chime in with there experience and advice. Chris S