The Lore of the Six Shooter

Rod

Like the home made stocks and the holster that you crafted for your Ruger New Vaquero and Blackhawk! The Rossi is one sweet shootin' carbine! Handles like a dream and is quick and easy to get it on target. Sorry to have to tell you this but the color case hardening isn't the real deal. I believe it's some sort of chemical application. Still it looks nice and for what I paid for the gun, along with the beautiful bluing; I'm more than happy with how it turned out.

plainsdrifter said:

I had to look them up for sale an about had a heart attack. Beautiful.

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If you're refering to the USFA, and you looked on Gunbroker, I assure you, I did not pay anywhere near those prices.

Finally got my single action to the range. bought this a few weeks ago, and it is my first SA and my first big bore, a 44 Magnum. First, one has to get used to the manual of arms for a SA as it really is quite different from my other revolvers. I shot some 200 grain cowboy load 44 Specials and they were very easy shooting. Then I tried some 180 grain 44 Magnums and the recoil was intense, as was the muzzle flash out of the 6-inch barrel. I don't recall any muzzle flash on the cowboy 44 Specials, just black smoke. The specials extracted pretty easy, but I had to work at getting those magnums out, like they were wedged in. Before this the most powerful handgun I shot is my .357 Magnum S&W 686+ revolver, snubby, and I think the recoil on this 6-inch 44 Magnum was every bit as much as the .357 Magnum snubby, so would be far greater if the 44 were a snubby.

Interarms Virginian Dragoon 44 Magnum

More on the Virginian Dragoon. So this gun had a little abuse of some sort in a previous life. You may be able to see some nicks on the frame in front of the trigger guard. Well there also was a nasty nick on the cylinder edge in the middle of the chamber that is bracketed by bumps to indicate keep empty and under hammer if carrying. Well when I was shooting today, sometimes the cylinder didn't want to turn easily as I was loading it. As I cleaned this gun tonight (well this am from midnight to 1 am) I noticed the nick had pushed some metal inwards where the rim sits. I slid some rounds in and sure enough, the round in that cylinder sat higher. So i filed off the misplaced metal from the nick until the round sits flush like the other chambers, so now it should work better.

Also I notice a ring of crud (or hopefully not pitting) right where the end of the case of a magnum would sit and just beyond the case of a special. Apparently the previous owner mostly shot specials and did not clean it well enough. My brush did not really clear it so maybe there is something that can be used for this. Although it does not seem to hurt anything and it chambers magnums just fine. I mentioned the magnum cases were very difficult to extract, and so thought of this ring, bu when I took a few of the spend cases and tried to slide them back in, they were binding well before they got near this ring of crud, so I think the magnum cases simply grew larger from the massive pressure.

Anyway, an hour cleaning and otherwise working on the gun, and it was an enjoyable experience. I don't know that I am as fond of cleaning autos but will find out because I still have to clean the Seacamp LWS 32 that I also took to the range today.

The other thing with this Virginian Dragoon was it was hitting the target high and to the right by several inches. I cranked the rear sight as far ad it goes in both directions and managed to get it so it is high and center, but if I let the front blade drop almost out of sight, it is pretty close. I wonder if the abuse also messed with the aim. It also could be part me because this is a big, heavy gun with a long barrel, and so far I have only shot snubbies.

I have a lovely 4 5/8” Colt.

And, a Ruger Old Army.

I HAD an old model Vaquero. It was a nice gun. But, compared to a Colt, it was like holding the wrong end of a baseball bat.

I’m in the market for a New Model Vaquero in .357. Somewhere down the road. The grip and balance is just “better” for me.

I own a couple of Vaqueros (a blued with case-colored "original", chambered in .44-40 and a s/s New Model chambered in .45 Colt). I like them for their sturdiness and because they are equipped with a transfer bar.

When I went shopping for my first cowboy 6 shooter I looked at everything local I could get my hands on & ultimately went with a New Vaquero. It took more practice than I thought it would at first to get decent with it but I got it figured out after a few thousand rounds.

45 Colt got me into reloading so I had to make some Lone Ranger rounds for the rig.

Nasty Canasta said:

When I went shopping for my first cowboy 6 shooter I looked at everything local I could get my hands on & ultimately went with a New Vaquero. It took more practice than I thought it would at first to get decent with it but I got it figured out after a few thousand rounds.

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Well that makes me feel better. So maybe my Virginia Dragoon 44 (about 5 posts up) is not so far off on the sights as I am far off and need a lot more practice. I only shot 50 rounds through it so far. I notice that when I aimed, the end of the barrel was jiggling left to right. Yep, it is probably going to take me a while to get to where I can shoot this one straight.

The first time I shot my Vaquero at a paper plate stapled to a fence post from about 25’ all I did was scare the $hitt outta that plate.

I spent a lot of money on SAA's and SAA clones for various reasons, none of which were related to the actual functionality of the gun. The USFA was my first true SAA, and I bought it because it was gorgeous, cheap for a USFA, and it was in .44spcl, a favorite of mine.






It wasn't a colt though, and for some reason when I walked into the LGS and saw this 2nd gen .357 on the shelf, I thought it would scratch an itch that the USFA didn't.



Well, it kind of did, but even though it was a 2nd gen, the build quality compared to the USFA just wasn't there. While still perfectly functional, the craftsmanship and quality left me a little disappointed given I had paid significantly more for the Colt than for the USFA.
I found some solace later in this, a 3rd gen .44spcl that showed a little better craftsmanship than the 2nd gen and is in a little better shape, but still wasn't up to the level of the USFA even though I paid slightly more than double for this colt than I did for the USFA.



So I guess the moral of the story is that I spent a lot of money on guns that each satisfied minute criteria that were ultimately irrelevant to the actual shooting experience, and I would have saved a lot of money and had just as much fun at the range if I'd just gotten a new vaquero .44spcl. in the first place.
I've handled them and found them to be a well made and pretty authentic feeling gun.

I have owned two single actions I wish I had never gotten rid of one was an old RUGER SINGLE ACTION BLACKHAWK, I purchased used from a pawn shop in California, San Francisco no less back in 1972. the other was an Uberti copy of the COLT BISLEY, in 45 colt. Those two I wish I still had. I now have an Uberti EL PATRON, copy of the COLT SAA, in 45 colt. That one is not getting away. Came with WOLFF springs, and action job, and is a great pistol. I carry the EL PATRON in a cross draw for self defense to this day. I am originally from Oklahoma, and my grandfathers on both sides were in law enforcement in the 1920s and even knew some of the old gunfighting lawmen of that era. They always said they were never undergunned with a couple SAAs in 45 colt.

Minor point of correction. Several posts have referred to the short barreled Colt SAA as a 4-5/8" gun. Colts are 4-3/4" while only Ruger makes 4-5/8" single actions.

And I agree with silicosys4 about USFA single actions. The late production guns made with all US sourced parts are superior to everything in fit, finish, and overall quality except for 1st Gen Colt SAAs. In another life I had a collection of 1st Gen Colts, thus the basis for my comparison to the USFAs I own now.



Dave

I purchased a COLT SAA, IN 1978, NEW when stationed in Kodiak , ALASKA, and although was a good gun, shooting it compared to other single actions I have had, well maybe was a clunker, but could not tell the difference
in it and any of the other good single actions I have had and shot. Only difference was the price and name on it. It did not shoot any better than any of the Ruger blackhawks , or the two Uberti's I have owned and shot. Maybe I just did not understand why having it was different or better.

I have both, and it would be hard to decide between the two. My Colt is the blued model, while the Vaquero is stainless. Both are 5.5” barrels, I don’t have much use for the other lengths, personal preference.
I bought the Colt when I was cleaning out the safe, wanting to have the “genuine article” after years of owning all sorts of Italian Imports. Even after everyone, including the People at Colt, told me shooting the SAA would mean loss in value, I did it anyway because it was ‘my Colt’
Lately, I picked up a New Vaquero in 45 Colt, and will take it to the range. I found the grip to be the same and I wanted a shiny single action as a companion. Couldn’t find a nickel Colt at the time.
If you keep it in mind that SAA’s of any kind were never meant to be precision shooters, your range time becomes a lot more fun.

I'm a ruger guy, and keeping an eye out for a ss vaquero in 44magnum with a 4¾ bbl.
I the meantime.....I have a really nice uberti El Patron in 45colt that is an excellent shooter. It is just a smidgen smaller that the vaqueros that I have shot. It has a good feel and balance. I think it would suit anyone who wants a SAA as a range gun or a woods gun. It has the retracting firing pin that is supposed to be drop-safe....but I load five unless I'm just shooting a cylinder full at a target
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My first firearm was a Taurus gaucho (saa clone) in 45 colt. Bought in February 2006, I was 21. What an unusual choice for a young guy without much money and no firearms or actual experience with firearms . why? No great explanation really , I just love them and have since I was a kid. I've had others and I'm currently looking for a vaquero or bisley blackhawk , nostalgia is great but I'm not worried about every detail being 100% historically accurate .

There is no revolver I treasure more then my FA83, it's kinda a peacemaker in a way but kinda not. Doesn't bother me a bit.

I have two Ruger SA revolvers, both flat tops, neither pristine. One in .44 Magnum, one in .357 Magnum. I've shot them both, as I implied, I bought them used. They both work very well.
I have a Cimarron (Uberti) version of a 4 3/4 inch barrel. It's in .45 Colt. Just satisfies me more.

I don't own a Vaquero, but do own several flat top Blackhawks, which are the close cousins of the NM Vaquero. Supposedly the grips are similar to a Colt SAA, and it can shoot tier 2 loads (along with a NM Vaq). I like the adjustable sights, but there is something to be said for file it and forget it with a NM Vaquero.

I have always wanted to be a cowboy I guess, and single actions put you there. Like Willie and Waylon say, my heroes have always been cowboys. I have shot colts, uberti's and rugers, Marlin lever guns, winchesters, and now Henry lever guns. My favorite rifle right now is a Henry 45-70 lever, and my Uberti SAA copy is my favorite pistol.

SundownRider said:

If you keep it in mind that SAA’s of any kind were never meant to be precision shooters, your range time becomes a lot more fun.

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Au Contraire

Colt produced the Flat Top Target Model Single Action Army from 1888 until 1896. This model was specifically designed as a target pistol. Unlike a standard SAA, the front sight was a removable blade that could be traded out for different heights to allow for elevation adjustment. The rear sight was a separate, drift adjustable blade dovetailed into the top of the frame to allow for windage adjustment. The grip was extra long to allow the shooter to get his entire hand onto the grip without needing to tuck the pinky under the grip. This model is quite rare, only about 900 or so were produced.



The Bisley Model was developed specifically as a target revolver. The Colt at the top of the photo below is a typical Second Generation Colt with a 7 1/2" barrel. Below it is a First Generation Bisley Model, also with a 7 1/2" barrel. Notice the radically different shape of the grip, hammer, and trigger of the Bisley model.

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The Bisley Colt was introduced in 1894 at the Bisley Range near London, UK, where the National Target Matches were held, hence the name. The Bisley in this photo has standard fixed sights, but this model was also available as a Flat Top Target Model with a blade front sight adjustable for elevation and a drift adjustable rear sight blade dovetailed into the frame much like the earlier Flat Top Target model. The Bisley models were produced from 1894 until 1915.

Interestingly enough, there were far more of the fixed sight Bisleys produced than the Target Version, with only 976 Target Bisleys produced vs 44,350 fixed sight Bisleys.

But however you slice it, despite the different grip, trigger, and hammer shape, in the hands of a marksman, any Colt Single Action Army revolver is capable of excellent accuracy.

I don't own any Vaquero's or Colt's for whatever reasons. Maybe out of my price range at the time. So, bought a Pietta "Gunfighter" 1873 in .45 Colt, then shortly after, a Uberti/Taylor's "OLD Randall" in .45 Colt. Those two are good as anything I need to shoot. Desert plinking mostly. Do like my friends Vaquero .45 Colt tho. Damn nice gun.

I would still like the Uberti bisley model with 5 1/2 barrel in 45 colt, either that or the 4 3/4 inch barrel

I am retired and on a fixed budget, real colts are out of my price range, less I get lucky and win the florida lottery

yep, Bill Hickock could shoot a 36 navy really accurate. But he had lots of practice

RONALD MORPHEW said:

I would still like the Uberti bisley model with 5 1/2 barrel in 45 colt, either that or the 4 3/4 inch barrel

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Howdy Again

My other Bisley, a First Generation that shipped in 1909. 4 3/4" barrel, 38-40.






Mexican bandit Pancho Villa liked the Bisley model too.

If I remember correctly, Annie Oakley also enjoyed the Bisley, as well as other colts and winchesters

I have only one Vaquero I purchased this Old model, 5.5", 45LC and 45 ACP convertible just a few months ago.. I wasn't in the market for one but became smitten with it's looks and balance. I'm my limited view, it's everything a "cowboy gun" should be. Here are a few lousy pictures of an outstanding gun.