[michiganfan]

Was thinking my collection needs a cowboy revolver. The title says it all. Looking to spend 400. It will be a range only gun. The input of the collective will be greatly appreciated.

[Working Man]

By "cowboy revolver" are you meaning a single action revolver like a Ruger Vacaro or more along the lines of a Uberti 45?

[Tom C.]

If you intend to get into CAS, then I recommend a .357. If you aren't, then consider a .45.
If you want it rugged, get a Vaquero, either First Gen or Second Gen. I prefer to be able to see the sights, and sight in for variations in loads, so I have Blackhawks. I use the NMBH in .357 for CAS. For play, I prefer .45. I just got my wife a pair of 50th Anniversary Blackhawks in .357. She likes them a lot.

[ArchAngelCD]

Nothing at all wrong with Uberti but don't forget Navy Arms, they have some nice stuff.

I would buy either a set of .357 Magnum guns or something in a .45 Colt.

Navy Arms Revolver page:
http://www.navyarms.com/html/sa_rev_of_west.html

Navy Arms Rifles:
http://www.navyarms.com/html/66_-73_rifles.html

And you need a good Coach Shotgun, Stoeger makes some nice ones:
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/coach-supreme.tpl

Don't forget a BUG, even cowboys had a BUG. Cobra makes some nice Derringers:
http://www.cobrapistols.com/products/derringers.htm

OR you can go right to Derringer for the real thing!! :
http://www.amderringer.com/guns.html

Have fun!! :D

[XavierBreath]

I own three "cowboy" guns, a .45, a .357, and a .22. Sadly, the .22 is not very accurate. The other two, however, are tack drivers. The .357 is great to shoot with .38 powderpuffs. The .45 is fun with .45ACP.

I would go with commonality of caliber between this gun and your other guns. Makes ammo buying easier.

[michiganfan]

Working Man that is exactly what I want.

[Working Man]

michiganfan, I'd say either a .357 or .45LC for the Vaquero or .45LC
or .44-40 for the Uberti.

45LC Vaquero

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=64482526

44-40 Uberti

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=64436100

The price on both may be pushing if not over what you want to spend.
I don't know much about Navy Arms, that may be a viable rout to go as well.

[MrAcheson]

Caliber breaks down to this question: Do you reload?

If you don't reload, then buy a .38/.357 or make sure your .45colt comes with a spare .45acp cylinder. The price difference between .45 acp and .45 colt is so large that you'll make your money back in under 1000 rounds. If you do reload, then .45 colt is a possibility. .45 colt pressures are so low that the brass probably lasts a while.

Anyway, shoot what you like. Most of the cowboy guns on the market are takeoffs on the Colt SAA. Some are clones like the USFA or Italian guns. Others are impressions of the SAA like the Ruger New Vaquero. But they're all pretty good.

I'm not a SAA fan (the grip frame just doesn't work for me), so my options are smaller. Uberti makes some Remington and Schofield clones. You can also put together a New Model Remington conversion from an Uberti or Pietta BP revolver for about $500-600.

[ScottsGT]

I've gotten so use to shooting my Ruger New Vaquero, that anything else feels funny in my hands. I got the 7.5" stainless in .45LC and I reload. I was doing pretty good this weekend hitting 5" steel plates at 20 yards.
Look out though, you'll want one of these next :D
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/ScottsGT/DSCN1069.jpg

[bakert]

michiganfan, I like all single actions and there are many good ones out there. Mine happen to be Rugers and I prefer a gun with proper sights especially a range only gun.. For a cas shooter or maybe the purist, the various fixed sight revolvers might be a better choice. As for caliber, I love the .45 Colt but a .357 (which I don't have yet) is probably a better choice for most people and is much easier to find many types of good ammo for off the shelf.

[Hutch]

You might also try handling some with "Bisley" grips. They are longer and have a different grip angle than standard grips. These are generally thought to be better for controlling recoil. Ruger Bisley Vaquero also has a lower spur on the hammer for easier one-handed cocking. I have a pair of the original-size Bisley Vaqueros in .44mag for Cowboy Action.

[brucets11]

I've got the New Model Vaquero's; one set in 38s, one set in 45 Colt. I don't reload and the cost of the 45s is a lot higher so, I shoot the 38s much more often. My hands are a little large so I bought some grips and had the guy who made them up for me make them a little thicker. I'm told the Vaquero's are a really rugged gun which is what you need for CAS.

I do like the Taurus Gaucho's and they feel real nice in my hand. For looks though, I like the Uberti 1875 Frontier.

[Baba Louie]

Aw heck, be a little different. Go to www.cabelas.com and order one of their 1861 steel framed cap n ball revolvers w/ a starter kit, pick up some black powder and go make some smokey noise at the range.

If it's gotta be a new fangled brass cartridge cowboy gun get one in .38 spl like a Cimarron P Model in standard blue.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/MP668-ModelPStdFin.htm#

Made by Uberti, the folks at Cimarron do a pretty good job of taking care of their customers. (They sell some nice percussion models as well)

[rtl]

Sounds like a Ruger Vaquero to me. .45 for a more traditional cowboy gun, .357 for a little cheaper plinkin' around. Just wait, a new holster and cartridge belt will be next followed by a Marlin '94 in the same caliber like ScottGT said. Did the same myself, may do it again now in a different caliber.

[Gaucho Gringo]

I am prejudiced because I have a Taurus Gaucho in 357\38sp with a 5 1\2" barrel that is CCH but I love the gun. The hammer and trigger action are snooth and predictable and the fit and finish of the gun is great. There are two other great things abiut the gun. One thing is the price for it: I paid $360.00 NIB for it at a gun show in October, 2006. The other is then lifetime guarentee no matter whether you are the 1st or the 14th. owner. I am probably not going to be around 30-40 years from now to see if the guarentee is honered but my 19 year old son will be. I would recomend that if you are looking for a "cowboy gun" that you give this one serious consideration. But again, everyone has their own preferences about gunsand this is why there is such a diverse selection of guns, cars, boats, etc. Whatever floats my boat may not float yours. Everyone is entitled to their own preference. This is one of the things that makes this country great. Enough of thixs recomending guns and may your selection please you and keep you satisfied for many years.

[JShirley]

I got a Blackhawk convertible in .357/9mm (two cylinders). 4 5/8" is a great packing piece, large enough to shoot well, small enough to carry with little effort, even concealed. Price is marginally higher than you'd like, at around $450, but it's hard to beat for versatility.

John

[Sniper X]

Yeah, I asked the same question and now have a pair of .45LC, one AWA Longhorn, and a Uberti Cattleman, and a 1894 in .357 mag. I want to sell the uberti and get a .357 so I can have both in one caliber as well, now I need a holster, and scabbard, and....on and on! OH What fun this is!

[Mason Vaquero]

I just picked up a single action Ruger Vaquero .45 (no relation to my name) last week. I put 100 rounds through it on Saturday. Others here it looks like have already given you some sound advice. I just have to say I really enjoy shooting the Vaquero. You might look at the Beasley style (can't remember if that is Beasely or Beasel, its on Rugers site) revolver as the handle is angled down a little more and the hammer is a bit different as well, allowing for a more comfortable grip and hammer pull when getting ready to fire.

Anyways, the Vaguero comes in three different barrel lengths (I got the one that is blued, which is a beautiful finish) and the 5 1/2 inch barrel. Depending on what state you are in it may run you a little over 400 depending on sales tax and the such.

Good luck and let me know how you like whatever you end up purchasing. I'm new to the boards, names Mason.

[Sniper X]

Vaq, it's Bisley, and yes it is a steeper grip angle that most peopel don't like. But definitely look inot it because it IS all personal preference! I don;t like the Bisley myself. Oh, and ScottsGT, nice beauty of a Henry!

[Mason Vaquero]

Hey SniperX, thanks and nice to meet you. I'm new around here but it looks like I'll have lots of help when asknig questions, particularly about handguns in the near future. Have a good one - Mason

[Sniper X]

Mason, I'm new here too, and thanks! I really love this site for the info and political and events talk. Great to be on a "like minded site"!

[Gene357]

I have seven "Cowboy Guns". It turns out they are all Rugers. Lots of other good single actions out there, but Ruger has transfer bar for safe carry of six rounds. If you are using the gun for range only, not CAS, go with .357 / .38. Cheap .38 fun and .357 always good for bumming around woods ect..

[ScottsGT]

Oh, and ScottsGT, nice beauty of a Henry!

That 'ain't no Henry!! That is a copy of the first Winchester. The 1866. Winchester took the Henry rifle and added a loading gate and a fore grip to hold on to the hot barrel and history was made!

From the Uberti website:
The 1866 Yellowboy was a marked improvement over the old Henry. Winchester’s plant superintendent Nelson King devised a convenient loading gate through the side of the receiver which not only made the new rifle more functional, but also allowed for the installation of a wooden fore-end. The carbine version of the 1866 Yellowboy was the first true cowboy rifle and was the first rifle carried in a cowboy-style saddle scabbard.

The new 1866 Yellowboy was a hit worldwide. Chief Sitting Bull had an 1866, Benito Juarez’s forces used Yellowboys in Mexico and the Turkish Army used the new Winchester against the Russians. Uberti USA has recreated three of the most popular models: the Yellowboy Carbine with a 19" barrel and carbine style brass buttplate. The Yellowboy Rifle with 241⁄4" barrel and Short Rifle with 19" barrel, both with a brass nose cap and a solid brass crescent buttplate.

But thanks for the complement. When I first saw one of these, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, the wife was with me when I saw it the first time and she knew good and well what it cost, so I had to get creative and liquidate some inventory to buy it :cuss:

[Sniper X]

Yeah 1866 Yellowboy! Nice! Thats what I want for my next lever gun for sure. Do they make it in .357 mag? No I'll bet!

[ScottsGT]

Only in .38 Spl., .44/40, .45 Colt

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/Yellowboy.tpl

[G. Glock]

Yeah, unless you're looking to compete at the very hightest level and need to avoid all the recoil you can, go ahead and get the real thing: .45 Colt. It is a trip back into yesteryear when you fire those things, even with smokeless powder. I load Holy Black myself for most of my shooting, but even when I compromise and shoot modern powder, it's still special slinging those 250 gr. slugs into steel targets.

[Hawk]

I can't explain it but I got a sudden urge for a "5+0" 19th century throwback and it just didn't seem right that it should be anything but .45 Colt.

It'll also comprise my first foray into metallic reloading. The Brown Truck is dropping off 1K Starline today. Now I'm off looking for receipes.

There was never any real danger of me getting competitive in CAS, were that the case the .357 / .38 would have made more sense.

[Sniper X]

Plus, you just can't beat the way they look from the bidness end in .45LC!

Leather.....I NEED leather....

[Hawk]

Other notes on .45 Colt from my newbie self:

45 Colt commercial ammo is packed in spiffy retro boxes (at least what I've bought so far) and, much to my surprise, doesn't foul the barrel with lead as I had feared. Whether this is due to the small round count thus far or the leisurely pace with which the lead projectile ambles down the barrel is unclear - I do hope it's the latter.

The flip side of the mousephart loads is that I get a fair amount of grunge on the cases and myself presumably due to the brass not expanding / sealing. So far, this is fun. Roll up the sleeves of white shirts.

While I generally enjoy shooting, an 1873 pattern firearm in .45 Colt is actually FUN. The difference between enjoyment and fun is elusive but I think it has something to do with the Canary-eating grin that characterizes the latter. I don't think it'd be the same shooting .38s but I don't have one so can't really comment.

[bulbboy]

I picked up a Ruger New Vaquero 4 5/8 and a Beretta Stampede Marshal and love the contrast between the two.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f284/kevinmichaeldick/newvaquero.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f284/kevinmichaeldick/Stampede_Marshall_S_maxi.jpg

[ScottsGT]

Hawk,
I understand if you put a real tight crip on the brass, it will expand a little better. Kind of holds the lead in place a little longer for the big boom in the brass. I've started crimping my loads tighter, but I'm still in the process of blastin' off all my early loads with less crimp.
BTW, have you tried Trail Boss powder? It's made just for the large brass that was filled with black powder way back when Sam Colt was still alive. It's a real clean burner too.

[Hawk]

I haven't tried anything yet - never reloaded a metallic. That'll probably change over the weekend or whenever the new benchtop shows up. I'll check out the Trail Boss - thanks for the help.