Sam Colt or John Browning?

[Grayfox]

I've had a long time love/hate relationship with the SAA, Ruger and other plow handle grip revolvers. Off and on, I've owned about a half dozen of them over the years. I love the idea of them, but a lifetime of hard work has left my hands a bit worn and arthritic. The middle finger of my shooting hand won't quite close all the way. The result being the back of the trigger guard beats the hell outta that knuckle. It only takes about one cylinder full to have it bleeding.
I do have a Urberti Schofield clone that I can shoot pretty well. But that's an all together different thing.

OTOH, I'm a devoted disciple of Brother John. The 1911 fits me like a glove. Must be why I have about 20 of them.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I like the grip panels on that 1911 up in post #7 from Modified.
Either SAA or 1911, I shoot them both equally all over the paper! One foot groups is a good day for me!

 

[Bald1]

My hands are more like John Brownings. But apparently they are identical to Mr Smith's and Mr Wesson's. Middle initials K.

 

[1911haulic]

1911 for me!

 

[crazyphil]

Here, on the left, is a picture of my series 80 Gold Cup. Notice that
I prefer the circular hammer. 2nd from left is one of it's favorite
holster rigs. A Brill-Persons by Red Nichols, along with his Sidewinder
belt. 3rd from left is a carved and laced Heiser model 728 which, I
think, is not too hard on the eyes.

 

[Heinz]

I am in the 1911 camp. I always liked the grip on the Colt 1860 Army much better than the smaller navy style grip on the SAA

 

[jaguargolf]

1911A1 with Arched Main Spring Housing w/ lanyard ring. I've set up all my 1911's this way, except for my round heel Kimber Super Carry Pro and a Lt. Wt. Commander that I bought used but had been to Wilson Combat. I didn't want to mess with what Wilson had done until I put a few thousand rounds through it. I grip a 1911 w/AMSH correctly first time every time and never have to re-adjust my grip.

In the past year I've had a a Colt Lt Wt Commander .45 ACP and a S&W hard chromed Model 40 .38 Sp w/grip safety secret service grips available to me whenever I am out and about.

I never had a problem holding, shooting, aiming a Ruger single action. Never had access to a SAA.

 

[erikpolcrack]

For me, it's Browning all the way. I did have one of those Taylor Company 44 Mags with the larger grip frame - I think it was modelled on the Dragoon, Walker, or 1860 Army. It felt much better in my hand than any of my SAA Colt types. Never fired a Bisley. Both my Blackhawk and my Super Blackhawk fit me better than my Colts.

 

[Buford57]

I've had a SAA Italian clone, a Combat Commander and Ruger XR3 and XR3-RED gripped SAs and currently have a BHP and a Ruger Vaquero 1.0. All handled well enough, with the BHP the best of the lot for fit, but the cream of the crop was the M39. And while I'm on the subject, the absolute worst, the gun I could not hit with to save my life (which was its purpose) was a 469. I sold it and went back to a revolver until I could find another 39.

 

[Gamecock]

Sammy wasn't involved with the Colt 1873 SAA. He died in 1862.

 

[desi2358]

Sammy wasn't involved with the Colt 1873 SAA. He died in 1862.

True, but I think people are going off the fact that the 1873 grip is pretty much identical to the 1851 Navy grip. Which Sam Colt was involved with. But they are ignoring the fact that he had several grip designs produced while he was alive, the 1849 Pocket, the various Dragoons, the 1860 Army as well as the Root pattern revolvers (designed by his chief engineer Elisha Root). And the designers at the plant chose the 1851 grip over the 1860 Army which they had used for their earlier 1872 Open top cartridge model so it would appear it was actually the preference of some unknown engineer that lead to the final grip design of the 1873.

The reality is neither he nor Browning can be proven to have actually designed the grips of either of these fine guns. Brownings prototypes (and the early Colt autos developed from them) tend to have a much different grip angle than the final 1911 and 1911A1 patterns. Just as Colt had all the different sizes and shapes of grips on the percussion models that preceded the 1873.

It does make for fun discussion though!

 

[PALADIN85020]

The early Browning Colts did have a different grip angle. This is a Model 1903 Hammer.

John

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

The 1911 as a final product was a collaboration between John Browning, Colt and the US Army including the Ordnance Department, Infantry and Cavalry Boards. They all had input into what became the 1911.

 

[merl67]

The early Browning Colts did have a different grip angle. This is a Model 1903 Hammer.

John

Agreed, but they still point, and shoot well for me I have a Colt 1900 38acp that i shoot occasionally, and it comfortably hit where i aim...

 

[44wheelman]

Oops, redundant post.

 

[brucev]

First center-fire pistol I ever bought was a Colt Ser. 70 in .45 ACP. Used it for insurance while walking night security in New Orleans (ca. 1979-1982). Later got a 4 inch S&W M-19 which I much preferred. Owned a number of Ruger Single-Six's but only recently got a Ruger SA centerfire ... 6 1/2 inch Old Model .357 Mag. It is currently sitting on the arm of the couch as I type this reply. Just about ideal in every possible way. Thoroughly enjoy it. Great for any load imaginable. Gorgeous. Handles extremely well. In the Ruger flap holster ... ideal for rambling out and about in the woods/fields. Which to I prefer? Well, if I have to pick one, I like the 1911, but I prefer revolvers, so I'll cast my vote for the Colt type SA. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I was introduced to a single-action revolver with 22 short ammo around 1952. The Navy introduced me to the 1911 in 1963. I never had an issue with either. I always preferred Saint John Moses Browning's M2 (Ma Deuce) 50 BMG.

 

[JohnHL]

A big thanks to everyone who took the time to comment or opine on my light-hearted post.

I was impressed by the erudition and scholarship displayed by respondents, but not surprised, as I have been so impressed countless times in the nearly one decade I have enjoyed the membership.

I was a little surprised at the paucity of support (no pun intended) for the grip on the SAA.

As compared to the enthusiastic outpouring of support for the model 1911 grip.

Marshall Matt Dillon never knew what he was missing!

John