Author Topic: Question on whether these are right or left handed (Read 1491 times)

Gun 4 Fun · « **on:** August 27, 2009, 12:31:57 PM »

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but since these guns are basically mirror images of Colt SAA, and they do have something to do with my question, here it is.

Does anyone have any hard evidence or historical info that I can get, that says that Sam Colt designed his guns to be left handed, since he was himself lefthanded? I know he died 10 years before the model P came out, but his design influence is obvious. I have read that the LHA revolvers were designed to turn his SAA into a right handed gun. Any help would be appreciated.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2009, 12:54:39 PM »

To me the TLA are WRONG handed. I can do darn little of anything with my left hand. I can hold the revolver in it while I use the right to unload and reload but if I had to hold it in my right and try to load and unload with my left I'm not sure I'd get the job done. I think old Sam got it right the first time.

cubrock · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2009, 03:16:28 PM »

Best I've been able to gather from historical reading is that percussion Colts were designed "left handed" because the revolver was held in the left hand with the reins and the saber, the cavalry's primary weapon, was held in the right hand.

Colt cartridge guns were initially designed with the Cavalry in mind and kept this "handedness."

Personally, I find no advantage to the orientation of Grover's guns, but I still love them.

last grover · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2009, 05:25:29 PM »

isn't variety the spice of life? the fact that we in this country and are fortunate to discuss topics like this make it all worth while. having the freedom to have first hand knowledge and to give an intelligent opinion is a blessing. god, i love this country! i'll have mine right and wrong handed, blued and stainless, 44 and 45, ivory and walnut, fixed and adjustable, 5-1/2 and 6 inch, colts and clones, black and smokeless

cubrock · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2009, 02:28:26 AM »

Quote from: last grover on August 27, 2009, 05:25:29 PM

isn't variety the spice of life? the fact that we in this country and are fortunate to discuss topics like this make it all worth while. having the freedom to have first hand knowledge and to give an intelligent opinion is a blessing. god, i love this country! i'll have mine right and wrong handed, blued and stainless, 44 and 45, ivory and walnut, fixed and adjustable, 5-1/2 and 6 inch, colts and clones, black and smokeless

AMEN! I like 'em both ways, just because!

flatgate · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2010, 02:49:59 AM »

Well, me being a southpaw makes the TLA guns feel awkward. I keep my S.A. revolvers in my shooting hand when loading....

I did visit with Bill Grover several times via telephone and was always very impressed by his personality and knowledge.

flatgate

44wheelman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2010, 09:43:43 AM »

When I reload my S&W, I keep the gun in my right hand. When I reload my TLA, I do the same. When I load my Colt & Ruger, I must switch the gun from my shooting hand to my left hand. Hmmm, seems to me that makes the TLA right handed. But if you are right handed & been shooting Colts & Rugers for many years, I can see how shooting a mirrored backarsewards gun would be a real PITA.

Boge Quinn · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2010, 04:28:26 AM »

To my thinking (and I unfortunately did not know Bill Grover so this is purely my thinking), Grover's "right-handed" design was probably to some extent a marketing gimmick, and a very successful one at that, given that so many other sixguns have faded into obscurity while we still talk about the Grovers. Gimmick or not, the quality and beauty of Grover's sixguns are beyond argument, and that's where my REAL passion for the TLAs resides.

Still, the "right-handed" design is neat in and of itself, and handling one becomes second nature very quickly. But switching from Colt-style to TLAs can be awkward, as I was reminded of during last week's Shootist Holiday. I shot my USFAs and Rugers all one morning, then switched to my TLA South Texas Army, and it took a little bit to come up to speed.

flatgate · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2010, 02:59:57 PM »

Quote from: Boge Quinn on June 07, 2010, 04:28:26 AM

I shot my USFAs and Rugers all one morning, then switched to my TLA South Texas Army, and it took a little bit to come up to speed.

Boge,

Are 'ya braggin' or complainin' ?

I was at Murbatch's house when his Shootist Biz came in at the shop in town. I gave him a ride downtown and
he let me open up the box. Beautiful Bisley..... best NM Ruger I've ever seen and I don't like Bisleys...

flatgate