| Paul Reed writes… I
use various gunsmiths on my Cowboy Action Shooting "Race Guns", and all of
them are very competent in their trade. But when it comes to someone
working on my original 1st and 2nd generation Colt's, there is only one
person I trust...... ...Jim Martin. Jim's been shooting and tuning Single
Action Army's since the 1950's. His experience and craftsmanship is second
to none. Paul Reed, V. P. and G.M. of Navy Arms Company, A.K.A. "Capt.
John B. Armstrong", S.A.S.S. Regulator # 6221 ................. Andy Fink
says… "Jim Martin is a wizard at tuning a six-gun. His life long
experience and background with six-guns have given him the unique
capability and knowledge that results in a stronger six-gun with a trigger
pull that is so smooth and devoid of creep, it feels lighter than it
actually is. He ensures that the cylinder gap and alignment is correct,
improving your accuracy while at the same time he modifies or replaces the
cylinder bolt so that scarring of the cylinder doesn't occur. Internal
parts are honed, and in some cases replaced with stronger components,
resulting in a six-gun that is stronger and more accurate than the
original. A true professional, and specialist with Colts or Colt clones, I
fully recommend his services for making any six-gun sing." Chucky aka Andy
Fink, Editor-In-Chief of SHOOT! Magazine. Happy trails and keep your
powder dry, Chucky ......................... Judge Gullett hands down his
judgment "Most of the cowboy shooters who know me well are familiar with
the fact that my passion is collecting and shooting original firearms from
the old west. When I want a $4000 First Generation Colt Single Action
Cavalry to not only be original but to operate and function flawlessly
shot after shot, there is only one gunsmith in the world with the
experience and knowledge who I can trust to handle such a rare and unique
piece of American history and that gunsmith is Jim Martin at Single Action
Specialties. Judge Gullett, Prescott Arizona, SASS # 813, NCOWS # 63."
Jerry Kuhnhausen adds Considering the more than 127 yrs that Colt
single action army revolvers have been in existence & the more than 4
generations of military & law enforcement armories & commercial
gunsmiths who have repaired, mechanically rebuilt & tuned these
venerable revolvers. it seemed derelict to me not to include in the S.A..A
manual the classic repair, rebuilding & action tuning methods &
techniques that have been employed by circa 1900 thru pre WW II Colt SAA
qualified gunsmiths. What better in this regard than to include aspects of
these historical parts fitting methods & techniques as carried forward
by Jim Martin-THE LAST OF THE OLD TIME COLT SAA QUALIFIED GUNSMITHS-&
an old timer with a bonafide lineage that extends back to a time before
the turn of the last century. Jim Martins going on 50 yrs experience with
Colt single action revolvers dates to the early days of fast draw when
breaking triggers & hammer 1/2 cock notches were things that happened
with some frequency, if not regularity. The fact that there were very few
SAA qualified gunsmiths left in those days (most had retired before or
during WWII) made it necessary for Jim to learn how to properly repair,
rebuild & tune SAA revolvers. Jim Martin’s mentor & teacher was
Bob Howard (circa 1880-1979), Bob Howard was an old time commercial
gunsmith & WW I veteran who did gunsmith work for William S Hart,
Elmer Keith James Serven & other notable shooters & collectors of
his time. Jim began repairing 1st generation SAA's (the 2nd generation
Colt SAA wasn't introduced until 1956) & building Great Western SAA's
from the then available factory kits as a means of supporting his
competitive shooting habit. He also worked as a gun coach at MGM studios
in the 1960's, developed &/or perfected trick action shots shown in a
number of western movies, won the World Champion fancy gun handling
championship twice & the Calif. state fast draw championship 4 times.
Examination of Colt revolvers rebuilt & tuned by Jim Martin makes it
apparent that Jim fully understands Colt SAA action geometry & takes
the time to hand fit action parts & springs & make the necessary
fine action component adjustments until action function, timing &
trigger pull are flawless &-THE REVOVER SOUNDS & FEELS EXACTLY THE
WAY A COLT SHOULD. Jerry Kuhnhausen. Author of The Colt Single Action
Revolvers A shop manual. Vols 1& 2, 2000
............................... Ron Smith says Jim Martin of Single Action
Specialties in Cave Creek AZ is one of the finest Colt S.A... gunsmiths I
know. Jim has worked on many of my Colts & saved some I didn't think
would make it. He uses Smith Enterprises single action repair parts, which
are the finest money, can buy. Jim is one of the old timers & when he
is gone all that knowledge will be gone, what a shame. Jim has imparted to
me quite a bit of information & has taught me a thing or two. I
recommend him to anyone for action work on a Colt S.A.. Ron Smith owner
Smith Enterprise Tempe AZ
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