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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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