Benelli Single Action for Cowboy Shooting

[ReadyRob]

I'm seriously considering getting into Cowboy Shooting and wondering if any of you have been shooting or know of experiences using the Benelli revolver.

Also looking at the Heritage model. Both are within my budget but the Benelli seems to have a better reputation.

I'm thinking I want a .357 so can shoot .38 supers in it most of the time. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated also.

TIA

[Jim Watson]

I am not familiar with a Benelli revolver. Beretta has the Stampede and they own Uberti, which are ok.
The Heritage is built in Florida with Pietta parts from Italy; but I don't have experience with one.

HOWEVER, I can help with the other part. The .38 Super is not a revolver round. SOME revolvers will handle it, but it is kind of an improvisation. What you would shoot for CAS or other light duty in a .357 Magnum is .38 Special.

[ReadyRob]

Thank you, I was having a senior moment, i meant special.

I'm gonna check on the Benelli/Uberti thing tomorrow.

thanks again

[Black Dime]

I would suggest you buy Rugers. You can find some used "Old model" Rugers that have benn slicked up for cowboy almost as cheap as the Beretta or other Italian pistols. The Old model is 10% bigger than Colt size but is almost unbreakable. The "New model" Ruger is Colt size and would also be a better buy.
I competed in Cowboy for about 8 years and Ruger dominates. I shot the 3-screw Rugers. I like them better than my Colts.

[ReadyRob]

Jim Watson said --
I am not familiar with a Benelli revolver . . .

I had my facts wrong. Benelli owns Uberti and Benelli is strong in shotguns. Benelli does not make revolvers. Thanks for your input.

Black Dime said --
I competed in Cowboy for about 8 years and Ruger dominates . . .

I appreciate the information. I'll check out the Ruger. Since you were into Cowboy Shoots what is your opinion of rifles. I had thought rifles had to be single action levers but reading the SASS bylaws I discovered a pump is okay as long as its typical of pre 1900 firearms.

[Black Dime]

The 1873 Winchester Lever Action replicated by Uberti arguably dominates cowboy. The toggle action lends itself to be unbelieveably smooth and slick. The rifles are not as picky on AOL as others but they are relatively expensive. I would say the Marlin would be second. In my opinion they cannot be ran as fast as an 1873; however I know a few World Champions who would argue the point.
While the Winchester 92 and 94 are cool looking, lightweight and relatively cheap, they will not run with a marlin much less an 1873. They were made specifically for bottleneck, long, rifle cartridges, not short straightwall pistol rounds.
The 1873 will handle factory 357 Mag and 45 Colt factory loads. I would not reccommend anything hotter.
The Marlin and the 92 and 94 have strong actions that will handle rifle loads. If you want cowboy pick the 1873. If you want a deer rifle pick one of the others.

I have two 1873 357s and a 45 Colt. The one on the left is a Marlin in 38/55 for long range side matches.

The Colt pump rifle and its replicas is also legal for cowboy. There are a number of manufacturers that has attempted to put together a workable rifle. You may see one once in a while at a match. A few cowboy gunsmiths refuse to work on them as well as some of the first and second generation Norinco replicas of the M97 Winchester shotgun.

[ReadyRob]

Hey Black Dime, thanks a ton. You've saved me months of trial and error time and who knows how many $'s.

You can change your name to _solid gold_ as far as I'm concerned.

:)

Your collection of rifles is pretty neat too.