1873 Colt Single Action Army - 'Gun Stories'

We've all heard the old saying, “God created man, but Sam Colt made them equal.” Sam Colt and his invention of the revolver certainly did change the world. The ability to fire five or six rounds without reloading made a huge difference in the history of firearms. But, interestingly enough, Colt wasn't always a gun maker. In fact, his beginnings are more interesting than most people could imagine. And the famed Colt Single Action of 1873 is a gun Sam Colt wasn't even around to see.

The strength of Colt’s design was its simplicity and ease of operation - the perfect machine for Americans on the move west. It worked, and it worked well. Although we think of the classic Colts as cowboy guns, they were designed first and foremost as the cutting-edge military weapons of their time - a huge boon for horse mounted cavalry.

The Colt Single Action Army, like this one once owned by Sammy Davis Jr., is not only one of the most iconic guns in the world and the symbol of the American West, but one of the most popular handguns ever.

Except for the brief period of time during and after World War II, the Colt Peacemaker has been in continuous production since 1873. With companies like Ruger, Freedom Arms, and yes, even Colt driving the renaissance of single-action revolvers, there are more single-actions now than at any time in history. So whether you're a hunter, or a cowboy action shooter, or just a person who appreciates the classic lines of Sam Colt's magnificent creation, you have more choices than ever before.