No doubt one of the most recognizable, most copied firearms of any kind. Or modern mechanical implements of any kind, for that matter. The ubiquitous Colt Single Action Army revolver. Hard to believe it is still in production, 150 years after its introduction. I'm not sure we are still manufacturing anything that is that old.
Lots of "better" handguns have come and gone in that 150 years. More capacity, more power, easier to load and unload, all of that. So how does this old Colt soldier on?
For me, it has always been "just right", or maybe "familiar". A lot of people to whom I have introduced them find them immediately "comfortable" and, like me, "familiar" - even if they have never held a handgun in their lives.
The most popular chambering, the .45 Colt, has enough power to serve any purpose a readily carried sidearm would ever need to fulfill. A 250 grain bullet at 1,000 fps is "enough" for even most of North America's big game. I've killed my share with it.
It's relatively small, and completely snag free. Very easy to carry, and deploy. Probably not "ideal" for concealed carry, but the shorter version "hides" very well. And they just glide from the holster, or waistband, or even oversized coat pocket.
This would be, if push came to shove, my "one gun". Not the best at any one thing, but at least adequate for most things. Here's to another 150 years!
