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In 1953, Ruger released a single-action revolver—patterned after the original Colt Single Action Army. Whilst some changes had been made, this firearm possessed, for all intents and purposes, the handling characteristics of the original Colt design. As a result, the safety precaution was as per the original: the revolver should be loaded with five rounds, rather than six, and the hammer positioned such that it rested over an empty chamber. Despite outlining the recommended carry methods in their instruction manual, Ruger became the subject of product liability lawsuits from purchasers who incorrectly loaded and carried the firearm, resulting in negligent discharges. This article explores the history of Colt-type single-action revolvers in the post-World War II period, analyses the availability of historic mechanical safety mechanisms for double-action revolvers in the 19th and 20th centuries, and summarises the patents on single-action safeties that Ruger had received by 1973. That year, the company discontinued their initial line of Single Action Army-style revolvers—known as ‘Old Models’—for a visibly similar, but mechanically different, ‘New Model’ line of single-action revolvers featuring newly developed safety mechanisms.