Favorite Firearms: A Sentimental Colt Single Action Army​

by
posted on February 1, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Colt Single Action Army​

My favorite firearm is a .45-cal. Colt Single Action Army that I purchased new in 1980. The old Colt exudes Western adventure, both real and imagined. It is fun to shoot and my first choice for big-bore plinking, target shooting or picking off water-filled jugs. As much as I enjoy this Colt, I especially value the memory of the man who sold it to me 42 years ago.

Bill Whitehouse owned and managed Whitehouse Gun Shop in my hometown for roughly 50 years. In his later years, Bill and his wife, Millie, managed the business together. It was a small store, but well-stocked. In back was a mysterious storeroom, the contents of which were known only to Bill. When asked about the availability of some obscure item, Bill would go back to that room, often returning with the treasure. Millie took care of the handguns in the display cases. After a customer handled a gun, Millie would meticulously wipe it down before carefully putting it away. If you bought a gun from Bill, you would pay a round-number price close to retail, but he covered the sales tax and always included a box of cartridges. Bill was always happy to share his knowledge, advice and wisdom with this young gun enthusiast.

In 1980, as now, demand for Colt’s Model P outpaced production. The 4 3/4"-barreled version was especially scarce. Eventually, Bill acquired this early Third Generation Colt for me. I later bought a $20 set of sambar stag stocks (a back-room treasure) and spent many hours carefully shaping and fitting them. Stag stocks on Colt’s six-shooter make for perfect partners reminiscent of the Old West or, more likely, old Westerns.

I have enjoyed shooting well over a thousand rounds through this revolver. Bill’s advice on proper handling and careful cleaning has kept this classic looking much like the day I bought it. Bill Whitehouse and his gun shop have been gone for 30 years, but I think of that gentleman every time I pick up my favorite sixgun.

—P. Clayton

Latest

FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA
FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA

Scout The Trail To A General Purpose Rifle

The search for a universal longarm—one suitable for both hunting and defensive scenarios—is a trek that involves a bit of doubling back.

Trijicon Releases Green-Dot RMR

For the first time, the Trijicon RMR will now be available with a green aiming dot, providing some benefits to shooters with astigmatism and red-green color blindness.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Firearm Industry Companies Consolidate, Others Close Doors In 2025

This year has already seen some big changes in the firearm industry. They don’t quite reach the tectonic shift in 2020, when legendary firms owned by Remington Outdoor were auctioned off, but there have still been some notable shifts within the industry in 2025.

Preview: Uni-Loader

The easy-to-use Uni-Loader can save high-volume shooters a lot of time and finger pain.

CZ 600+ Introduces Switch-Barrel Capability

In 2025, CZ USA expanded its 600 series rifle lineup with the CZ 600+, a design that delivers on the company's promise of a switch-barrel platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.