This cams the cylinder bolt out of engagement and allows the cylinder to rotate for loading. Drawn back about half way, the hammer engages the second notch. This practice is now universally recommended. However, many users adopted the practice of leaving one empty chamber under the hammer, because a sharp blow could damage the mechanism and allow a fully loaded revolver to fire.
The safety notch replaced pins on the rear of the percussion revolver cylinders, which served the same purpose as the safety position, by preventing hammer contact with the primer/percussion cap. Like the earlier percussion revolvers, the Single Action Army was designed to allow loading of all of the chambers. Drawn slightly to the rear, the hammer engages the safety notch of the sear and holds the firing pin out of direct contact with a chambered cartridge. The hammer when fully lowered rests within the frame. Three notches on the face of the hammer engage the sear portion of the trigger, affording four basic hammer positions. The cylinder is mounted on a central axis and operated by a hand with a double finger whose more extended action allowed the cylinder-ratchet to be cut in a larger circle, giving more torsional force to the cylinder. The Single Action Army action is a refinement of the earlier Colt percussion revolvers and the Colt 1871 cartridge revolver.
The Bisley may mark a movement to a more civilized West. The need for man stopping bullets was decreasing in urbanized environments, although in semi-urban areas, a pistol like the Bisley would be suitable for discouraging both four legged and two legged 'varmints' while also suitable for collecting supper along the road. The late 1890's with increased urbanization in the West suggests the possibility that many of these pistols were companions to the lever action rifles of the same period and that the low slung hammer, less humped backstrap, and short barrel may have suited the city dwelling suit coat wearing clientele who still found themselves outdoors not only on horses but in buggies and automobiles. 38/40, some 60%, it appears that the market for SAA's was changing. Considering the majority of Bisleys were made in. Surveys of existing Bisley show that a much larger number of 4 3/4' Bisleys, perhaps as high as 62%, have survived as compared to the 5 1/2' and 7 1/2' barreled guns.
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