Colt Single Action Army pellet pistol.
This report covers:
- Storage and maintenance
- The test
- Removing cartridges to load
- Loading the pellets with the cartridges still in the cylinder
- H&N Excite
- RWS Superdome
- Discharge sound
- Sig Ballistic Match
- Benjamin Single Die
- JTS 8.7 grain dome
- Shot count
- Summary
Today we look at the power/velocity of the Colt SAA pellet pistol. The description on ther Pyramyd AIR website says to expect a maximum velocity of 380 f.p.s., and we shall see.
Storage and maintenance
I always store CO2-powered guns that use 12-gram cartridges with no cartridge in them. That gives the thin face seal the best chance for longevity. I also put a drop of Crosman Pellgunoil on the tip of each new cartridge before piercing. If you can’t get that where you live 20-weight non-detergent motor oil works too.
The test
To get data on more pellets I shot 6-shot strings instead of 10 shots. That enabled me to test five different pellets. I also tried two different methods of loading.
Removing cartridges to load
The way this revolver was designed the 6 cartridges are supposed to be removed for loading.
Each cartridge comes out easily by elevating the muzzle.
Once the cartridges are out you push a pellet into the base of each one and load them into the cylinder again.
Loading the pellets with the cartridges still in the cylinder
The other way to load the pellets is with the cartridges left in the cylinder. This way turns out to be about three times as fast, so if you want to shoot more this is the way to do it. It’s very much like loading a Ruger Single Action Six with .22 rimfire cartridges.
Loading pellets with the cartridges in the cylinder is much faster.
H&N Excite
First to be tested were six H&N Excite plinking pellets. Six shots averaged 401 f.p.s., so the 380 f.p.s. that was specified was surpassed. The low was 387 and the high was 418 f.p.s.—a difference of 31 f.p.s.
RWS Superdome
The RWS Superdome pellet was next in the que. Six averaged 373 f.p.s. with a low of 362 and a high of 395. That’s a difference of 33 f.p.s.
Discharge sound
This pistol is loud at 100.9 dB.
Sig Ballistic Match
The next pellet I tested was the Sig Ballistic Match. This tin wadcutter weighs just 5.25 grains and is therefore quite fast. Six averaged 440 f.p.s. The low was 435 and the high was 453 f.p.s.— a spread of 18 f.p.s.
Benjamin Single Die
The fourth pellet was a Benjamin Bullseye. At 10.5 grains it was the heaviest pellet I tested Six averaged 359 f.p.s. The low was 324 and the high was 336 f.p.s. That’s a spread of 12 f.p.s.
JTS 8.7 grain dome
The final pellet I tested was the 8.7-grain JTS Dead Center Dome. Six averaged 359 f.p.s. The low was 349 and the high was 365 f.p.s. That’s a spread of 16 f.p.s.
Shot count
Reader thedavemeister said his SAA is good for 48 powerful shots so I figured this one would do about that. I went back to Excite pellets that averaged 401 f.p.s. for the first six. Shot number 25 went out at 404 f.p.s., so the gas was still going. Shot 30 was 383 f.p.s. Shot 40 was 393 f.p.s.And shot 48 went out at 384 f.p.s.
Because things were still shooting pretty well I continued shooting. Shot 60 went out at 353 f.p.s. That is a dropoff but the pistol is still shooting pellets faster than a lot of BB guns shoot BBs.
But 60 was the end of the line. Let me show you.
Shot…….Vel.
60……….353
61……….344
62……….347
63……….340
64……….326
65……….327
66……….319
I stopped at this point. Remember that CO2 cartridges vary in the amount they hold, so perhaps 60 shots is a safer number to consider. I exhausted the remaining gas and removed the empty cartridge to preserve that thin face seal.
Summary
The Colt SAA pellet pistol is testing well so far. Next we look at accuracy and see what effect, if any, the barrel that perhaps has polygon rifling may have on accuracy. I could be wrong about the rifling. It wouldn’t be the first time.
B.B.,
I have gotten to the end of a number of loans and been to the end of the line of a number of things but i haven’t a clue how you got to the “…the end of the lone.” In Shot Count ;^)
shootski
PS: NO link to Part One
Shootski,
Remarkable that this revolver reached 60 shots then again other pistols have to use the gas also to work the mechanism. That’s a nice number considering this is a six shooter so 10 cylinders worth of shots on one CO2 cartridge.
Part One: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2025/06/bb-tests-the-colt-saa-pellet-pistol-part-one/
Siraniko
shootski,
Done and done. Thanks,
BB
B.B.,
Your Colt is a good looking wheel gun.
shootski
“Loading pellets with the cartridges in the cylinder is much faster.”
BB,
Yes, I came to that same conclusion. But this pistol seems to be better on gas than mine; after 9 cylinders of pellets (54 shots), I would see a drop of over 40 fps for shot #55; the gun will spit out 60 shots, but the last few are slowing down enough to be easily seen; one time, I did go all the way to 66 shots; and shot #66 came out at 200 fps; so, I started limiting myself to 48 shots; and, when I gifted my revolver to my grandson, I sent him 48 cartridges along with it, and told him, “no matter which way you shoot it, loading the pellets into all the cartridges or loading them into the cartridges that are in the revolver, limit yourself to 48 shots on a single CO2 cartridge so as not to get any pellets stuck in the barrel…because your granddad will not be there to bail you out if that happens.” 😉
I’m looking forward to the accuracy portion.
Blessings to you,
dave
dave,
This is why we test. There will always be subtle differences.
BB
The Barra Schofield revolver I have is somewhat similar to the Colt SAA revolver in the respect that the pellets are loaded into the base of the cartridges. I have made a habit of seating the pellets slightly deeper than I can with my fingers by using a pellet pen after I have already loaded the pellets with fingers. I feel this helps prevent any potential damage to the skirts when the cylinder revolves. With my Walther CP99 pistol a similar procedure loading the pellets into the revolving magazine makes operating it much smoother. And I believe accuracy is most likely increased by doing this.
BB,
Though this is not my “cup of tea”, I can see the attraction of this air pistol, most especially for one such as yourself. There seemed to be a pretty wide velocity spread on some of those pellets.
Oops!
Summary – Second sentence
I could be wrong able (about) the rifling.
Happy Monday, everyone. Interesting report. Not every CO² gun has a face seal. Some have a tube that holds the CO² after the cartridge is pierced, like the QB series rifles that are based on the Crosman 160 / 180 and the Crosman 2240, Mark I, Mark II, and similar pistols. Those can be stored pressurized, but are essentially loaded, because anything that might fall into the barrel can become a projectile.
Then there is this in “Summary”:
” I could be wrong able [about] the rifling.”
Have a great week.
RR,
Fixed. Thanks,
BB
Romin Greco,
Unless the Crosman 2240 (22XX family of CO² guns) are modified with an aftermarket bulk fill they have a face seal not a pressurized tube.
Your comment on: “…but are essentially loaded,…” Is how we ALL should consider/handle any “pre charged airgun be it a PCP, pumped single or multi pump, or gas gun whether a projectile is loaded or not.
The 1st rule of SAFE weapon handling is: ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. …
In fact spring piston airguns could have been cocked without a projectile as well!
Keep any shooting device pointed in a safe direction until you have personally made certain it is not loaded or cocked and then be cautious during Administrative Handling of any arm since that is when most “Accidental” Discharges occur.
shootski