[Anna's Dad]

I'm considering purchase one of these guns.

I would appreciate feedback on which you think is the better choice for the money or if you don't think any of them are good choices.

If you don't like any of these, please let me know why.

Thanks.

[Sniper X]

Both are great guns, and worht the money if you get a good deal. The Birdshead SAA's are sweet looking and cool. I hear you don't want to load them very hot though. I think both are made by the same company now so it may be up to the finish, and money.

[Anna's Dad]

I added a poll and also added the Cimarron Lightning as an option. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[Sniper X]

You forgot buying them all as an option....:neener:

[Anna's Dad]

:rolleyes: Too funny. Unless your volunteering to finance my gun habit, its going to have to be just one!

[Sniper X]

Yep, just like the rest of us I'm afraid! I'm toying with the idea of buying a 2 1/2 inch Python today because it is such a great deal. I know though I won't want to re-sell it like was the original idea!

[Jim March]

Are you aware there is a "Stampede Marshall" with basically the Thunderer grip frame?

Which by the way is NOT a "Bird's Head" - it's properly called a "Lightning" grip frame from the original Colt DA that first used it. It's now being adapted to various SA guns and with some justification, as there were period custom guns using the Lightning grip frame on SAAs.

Anyways. If you're new to single action wheelguns, you should strongly consider something with a transfer bar safety. The Beretta Stampede series fits that bill.

[Anna's Dad]

I am aware of the Stampede Marshall but I believe its only offered in a 3.5" barrel which is not my preference.

I am new to revolvers but would not every carry for self defense or use for home defense. I have other guns for that purpose. I would only use the gun at the range and it would always be unloaded during transport. I wouldn't think the transfer bar safety would be a big benefit based on this. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

[Hawk]

My SAA clone is of the "5 + 0" non-transfer bar variety. I had an itch for such a beast for 40 years and only recently did something about it.

I was dead set on the old-fashioned manual of arms for reasons not clear even to myself - perhaps a connection to a world where personal injury court cases were rare and people took responsibility for their own mis-cues with firearms.

Probably not the most rational decision I've ever made, but the 5-up in .45 Colt is sure fun.

I believe the Cimarron is of the "you're on your own" safety design.

[bigger jon]

I had problems with the Stampede I went thru two of them it wouldnt shoot on the paper at 25 yards? I sent it back and the seconed one was just as bad? the ended up cutting the frount sight down? I still haven`t figgered that out???? I wouldnt recomend the beretta But from what I was told from the cowboy shooters is that none of the SA are on out of the box? what ever you decide to do keep in mind that you may need to take it to a Gunsmith to get the berral turned, good luck

[Anna's Dad]

Thanks for the replies and the poll results. Not a lot of responses but I appreciate the info none the less.

[Jim March]

Ah. Yeah, the Marshall is short-tube only. Shame.

You know...when I was pondering my piece, I perused Cimarron's parts department. They sell all the Thunderer grip frame parts and grips.

I found myself wondering if they could be bolted up to a regular Stampede to produce a gun Beretta decided against.

The costs as I recall from about a year and a half ago were pretty modest...well under $200 for all the parts from Cimarron.

In the end I decided on the Ruger New Vaq as a starting point for major mods :) but I still see no reason a "FrankenStampede" wouldn't work. It's all Uberti stuff and having examined Stampedes (admittedly fully assembled) the transfer bar stuff seems limited to the action area much like a Ruger.

Put it this way: to produce the Stampede and Marshall, why would they re-tool to such a degree that grip frames didn't interchange with the non-transfer-bar Ubertis?

[Jim March]

And before you ask: yes, I would pay $200 extra to get a gun with a transfer bar as a premium over non-transfer. Which is basically what we're talking about in terms of costs.

Then again, I want an SA that can fight and be CCWed. I don't feel that urban carry of a no-safety true SAA clone is responsible.

Y'all can disagree, and that's cool.

It isn't about the value of the 6th round on tap, although that matters - it's also about the gun being dropped or jarred once the fight has started and the gun is cocked. Gunfights sometimes go down at grapple ranges and if you read enough of Ayoob's fairly realistic accounts of actual fights, you'd see this as a pattern.

[Astute]

I have a friend who had a Stampede. The color case finish peeled off. It was only paint. Sportsman's Warehouse refunded his money in the form of a gift card after Beretta replaced the gun. New gun still had a painted finish. Cimarron has a TRUE color case hardened finish. I own a Lightning 38 spl. and it is a fine gun.