[MRCapps]

Ok, so I have a list of things I "want" in my next revolver! It may sound like I am being picky and thats fine. This will be my daily gun used as much as possible on the ranch and so forth so I want it to be right. I have been looking everywhere and cant find exactly what I want so I figured I would post the question here and see if anyone knew of one such SA revolver. Here is my list of desireables:

1 - .45 SA
2 - Stainless Steel (or something compareable that will withstand some harsh weather/rain)
3 - ACCURATE
4 - This one is kinda hard for me. I love the way an Uberti feels. The distance from the handle to the trigger is perfect for me. The blackhawks seem to be a little too close together and my hand feels slightly cramped up. BUT I will NO longer buy products made anywhere other than the U.S. and for that very reason, I have had to sadly remove Uberti from my list. Sorry guys, this is a personal battle for me and I will NOT back down from it.
5 - 4 clicks on the hammer is not a necesity but very much craved. (half cock would be nice to)
6 - (this one eliminates Colt) not such a heavy price tag. I want to buy a good dependable gun.....not a name.

I love the look and material on the Vaquero but not too sure about the feel in my hand. The Rodeo II is NICE but Nickle plated. Berretta Stampede Old West looks good but I dont think it is made here in the states? I am running low on options.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Well, if you are really picky, and limit yourself just enough, you will end up buying no gun at all!

At least it will be cheaper that way.:rolleyes:

[MRCapps]

Thanks for that....t'was really helpful.

[Iggy]

Have you looked at USFA. THey ain't cheap.

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/rodeogun.asp

[rcmodel]

I'd suggest you forget about #2, and focus on #3.

Get a Blued Ruger Blackhawk with adjustable sights.
So you can sight it in to hit with whatever power level ammo you decide to use.
And transfer bar ignition so you can carry it on the ranch fully loaded with six rounds.
The Colt & Colt clones have to be carried on an empty chamber & 5 rounds for safety reasons.

The Blackhawk is also a much stronger gun then any of the pure Colt SAA clones, or the "New" Vaquero on the smaller frame if +P hunting loads interest you for use on the ranch.

They did make Blackhawk .45's in Stainless, but no longer.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/369/products_id/70174

http://www.gunsamerica.com/917982532/Guns/Pistols/Ruger-Single-Action-Revolvers/Blackhawk-Type/Ruger_BlackHawk_New_Model_45_Long_Colt_Used_Stainles.htm

But they are still around if you hunt them down.

rc

[forindooruseonly]

Edited because RC said it much better, and sooner.

[MRCapps]

Thanks guys! Does Ruger or did they ever make a .45 BH Stainless bisley that was convertible? Or can you make any of them convertible by purchasing the other chamber? Like I said before, the BH is nice but the handle is short and in a wierd position..... The bisley handle is a little bigger and fits better.....

[BullRunBear]

It looks like you are down to a Blackhawk or a Vaquero, given your parameters. If you only need standard power ammo, as opposed to the "Ruger only" 45 Colt ammo, the Vaquero will do the job and is available in stainless. I like mine. It's comfortable in my big hands and it is very accurate. If you don't like the feel of it or the Blackhawk, you can probably get custom grips that will deal with that problem.

I have both models and like them both. They are more accurate than I can shoot them. Good luck with the search.

Jeff

[TennJed]

I have heard that you can put a little johnston wax on a blued gun and it will do wonders for keeping rust away.....I put a coat on every 3 or so months on my Blackhawk. It had some surface rust when I bought it and I cleaned it up and so far no more rust problems. I live in hot humid weather.

Also put it on my blued kel tec pf9 which has a reputation of rust problems. Mine has shown none.

Don't know if it is the wax, but I known it hasn't hurt.

Given your desires, I would look for a blued blackhawk and just take care of the finish and the weather shouldn't matter IMO.

[Zundfolge]

Frankly if you want 1-5 you're probably going to have to forgo 6.

Then you'll end up here. http://www.freedomarms.com/

[Blue Brick]

Take a look at the older Blackhawk frame Vaquero. Very strong.

[bannockburn]

MRCapps

If you can't find what you're looking for in stainless, maybe consider having a blued gun hard chrome plated. Check out mahovskysmetalife.com for a finish that is extremely long lasting without ever showing any wear on it.

[Rexster]

Thanks guys! Does Ruger or did they ever make a .45 BH Stainless bisley that was convertible? Or can you make any of them convertible by purchasing the other chamber? Like I said before, the BH is nice but the handle is short and in a wierd position..... The bisley handle is a little bigger and fits better.....
Yes, Ruger did, and has made more than one run of them for Lipsey's, a large distributor. Mine is not for sale!

Alternatively, a Bisley grip frame can be installed on a BH. I may do this with my Montado. I think it is necessary to also install the Bisley trigger and hammer.

Ruger may fit a spare cylinder, or may not. Ruger specifies that a cylinder must be factory-fitted to the gun.

[MRCapps]

Good deal. Thanks! I will start looking for one. I saw the pics of one but the guy wanted way too much for it. Maybe I will put a WTB post on here in a few days if I dont find one somewhere else. Does the Bisley have the four click or is it just like a normal bh with only two? Thanks for the help guys....well, at least those that did help!

[Thaddeus Jones]

Based on your requirements USFA is what you are looking for.

I commend your "being picky". :)

If more people were "picky" perhaps we wouldn't be subject to all the junk that manufacturers push out the door.

I see very little QA/QC by manufacturers these days. Why should they care? Evidently people will line up and give treasure for their trash. TJ

[rcmodel]

Does the Bisley have the four click or is it just like a normal bh with only two?All Rugers SA's (except the Bearcat .22) have only had two clicks since the "New Model" transfer bar safety system was introduced in 1973.

Ruger SA's older then that were known as the "three-screw" and worked just like a Colt SAA or Colt clone.

All New Models have two visable pins in the frame instead of three screw-heads like a Colt SAA, or three-screw Ruger.

Three-screw Ruger models loaded by putting the hammer on half-cock and opening the loading gate, and loading five rounds, leaving the chamber empty under the hammer.

All New Models load by just opening the loading gate and loading six rounds.
They don't have a half-cock notch, or a safety notch, or four clicks.

rc

[MRCapps]

Well I really think it is is coming down to two guns. The USFA New Rodeo ll or a Bisley blackhawk (if I can find one). How is the nickle on the Rodeo compare to the SS? Pros and cons? Thanks again guys!!!

[rcmodel]

Nickle is electroplating, and it will eventually start coming off at some point in the future.
It may be long after you are around to care, but still.

Stainless is stainless clear through, and it won't.

Be aware that the fully nickled fixed sights on the Rodeo will be almost unusable in bright sunlight due to glare.

The all Black adjustable sights on the Ruger Bisley would be very much preferable on a working ranch gun, if you intend to actually hit anything with it.

rc

[MRCapps]

Hey does rc stanb for ruger captain? Haha just kidding. Thanks for the info, if i can find a bisley ss convertible i will order one! Just gotta find one now.....

[rcmodel]

I am far from being a Ruger New Model fan-boy.

I don't even own a Ruger handgun anymore, out of the 25+ I do own.

I just think the #3 accuracy & #6 price criteria you set down in your first post leaves you with little other logical choice.

I personally own 3 Colt Single-actions in .45 Colt, 32-20 WCF, and 22RF/.22 Mag.

But there is no getting around the fact that the Ruger transfer bar is safer if you intend to carry a fully loaded six-shooter on the ranch.

And there is no getting around the fact a Blackhawk is far stronger & less prone to break down then any Colt SAA or Colt SAA clone ever made.

rc

[mdThanatos]

You can always get a Ruger converted to 4 clicks and you can have it converted so the cylinder spins freely in both directions for loading, but it may be cheaper to buy a rodeo in that case.