Delivering Western Justice – Testing the Umarex Colt Peacemakers
By Dennis Adler
Bat Masterson (portrayed here by the author) wore his Colt cross draw style, butt forward and covered, making it almost impossible for anyone to disarm him from behind. He was partial to the 4-3/4 and 5-1/2 inch barrel length Colts for a faster draw.
The Umarex models fit all SAA holsters and, like the originals, with some practice you can learn to draw pretty quickly and firing gunfighter style get shots on the target from 10 paces. Carefully aimed shots, as veteran frontier lawman Bat Masterson advised, “…looking through the sights is a very essential thing to do when shooting at an adversary who is returning your fire,” can land six BBs or pellets in the bull’s eye time and again.read more
Delivering Western Justice – The Umarex Colt Peacemakers
By Dennis Adler
Between May and November 1876 more than eight million people from the U.S. and around the world visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Roughly 20 percent of Americans got their first look at Colt’s new Peacemaker revolvers in this massive display cabinet containing a center pinwheel of 18 engraved Single Action Colts.
The Umarex Colt Peacemakers are more than just BB or pellet-firing CO2-versions of America’s greatest single action handgun; they are a tribute to one of the most significant eras in American history.
The original Colt SAA models were introduced in 1873 but the majority of early production was for the U.S. military, in fact, few civilians had even seen a Colt Peacemaker until 1874 or 1875. Many Americans actually got their very first glimpse of the new Colt revolvers in May 1876 at our nation’s International Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park. The Exposition was opened by President Ulysses S. Grant and Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil. As thousands waited to enter they could see, close by, the vast Main Exhibition Building. Beyond were the towers and expanse of Machinery Hall, the Gothic barns of Agricultural Hall, the arabesque architectural intricacies of Horticultural Hall, the art galleries of Memorial Hall, and twenty-four state and other buildings covering 236 acres. At the time it was the largest exposition in American history.read more
Colt, Smith & Wesson and Winchester – Delivering Western Justice
By Dennis Adler
Author’s note: This series of articles is based on the books Guns of the American West and Colt 175 Years, and chronicles the history of the original models that inspired these new western airguns, and how through their development a dramatic chapter in America’s history is being rewritten for airgun enthusiasts the world over.
The “Guns that Won the West” included single action revolvers from Colt and Smith & Wesson, and Winchester lever action rifles. Modern CO2-powered western guns provide both the look and feel of the original 19th Century designs. Pictured at top, the Umarex lever action rifle, far left, two nickel plated Schofield revolvers from Bear River, center, two hand engraved Umarex Colt Peacemakers with a Western Justice holster and cartridge belt, and lower right, a blued model Umarex Colt SAA with Cavalry holster and belt by John Bianchi Frontier Gunleather.
There are three names in American firearms history that are known the world over: Colt, Winchester, and Smith & Wesson, but of all the legendary American armsmakers over the last 180 years, none embodies the genius or the history of Samuel Colt and the Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company. Colt is the American handgun.read more
This new rifled barrel, pellet-firing Peacemaker is your Huckleberry!
by Dennis Adler
With an overall length of 11 inches and weighing 33 ounces, (about 4 ounces lighter than a .45 Caliber 5-1/2 inch Peacemaker), the Umarex Colt SAA has the same looks, and comes with distinctive black grips featuring a Rampant Colt medallion. Note the c.1892 transverse cylinder latch and authentic cartridge ejector housing.
This new nickel finished Colt SAA pellet model comes fitted with special black panel grips and a Colt Peacemaker Rampant Colt inset emblem. In all respects other than what comes out of the recessed .45 Colt muzzle, the pellet model looks identical to the earlier .177 caliber BB models, which is to say very much like a nickel plated c.1892 smokeless powder frame Colt Single Action Army revolver.read more
This new rifled barrel, pellet-firing Peacemaker is your Huckleberry!
by Dennis Adler
For Old West shooting fun at just pennies compared to live ammo, it’s hard to beat the new Umarex pellet-firing, rifled barrel Peacemaker. This Colt Single Action Army airgun with 5-1/2 inch barrel, loads six pellet cartridges, and handles just like a real Colt Peacemaker. (Holster by .45Maker)
Since 1873 there have been many variations of the legendary Colt Peacemaker but never a cartridge loading CO2 BB or pellet model until Colt and Umarex teamed up last year to build an authentic, Colt branded, .177 caliber Peacemaker. The Umarex Colt 1873 Single Action Army is accurate in virtually every detail, right down to the SEPT. 18. 1871 JUL2.72JAN.19.75 patent dates stamped on the left side of frame and the Rampant Colt emblem.read more
