Which .45 Colt Revolver?

STI - join my pain with the vaporware.

Don't forget the Charles Daily one, I have one and love it. Never had a problem or issue with it and it was less than $350.
DRJ

i voted for the ruger. it's very affordable, built like a tank, and you can load six. not "authentic" for an SAA look-alike, but a good gun nonetheless.

in reality, i will never have to make that choice, as my wife stands to inherit multiple original SAAs one day. i'll live with loading just five for the pleasure of handling and shooting the real deal.

otherwise, i'd probably prefer a DA in .45 colt. there aren't too many choices, but they can be found if you look around. my dream would be one of those .45 colt anacondas that i drool over on gunbroker.

I have the Ruger. It shoots great, and looks even better in stainless steel. The checkering on the grips is the only thing I dislike. Cuts into the hand if you shoot a lot in one sitting.

If you want a modern revolver that handles like an old Colt, the Ruger Vaquero. It doesn't FEEL like an old Colt when you cock it; too much metal moving around. But it will safely carry 6, and it shoots great.

If you want a very nice revolver that's as close to an old Colt as possible, without requiring a second mortgage, the Uberti Cattleman or Cimarron P. For the Uberti, buy a Wolff Spring or two, for a few bucks. Really nice, and not expensive at all. If you want the thing done up when you get it, with improved but original looking sights and slicked action, get a Cimarron Evil Roy. A bargain, for what it is.

The Beretta is the Uberti with a transfer bar. I'm not sure they're my favorites. The charcoal blue is awfully pretty, though, as are the pearl handles.

If money is no object, USFA all the way. But money really has to be no object, as in you don't mind dropping $150 for a nicer finish on the hammer. You will get your money's worth, though, believe it or not.

Get the Colt if you want to put a zip tie through the cylinder and over the hammer, and put it in the safe with Bullfrog on it for 25 years.

I voted for the Vaquero, love that gun!

I have a Uberti Cattleman, and love it. I paid $300 for it, and have outshot much more expensive guns at the range. I don't THINK it was me. I ain't that good. But the gun is.

I have had a variety of single action 45's over the years and here is my take on them:

3rd Generation Colt SAA's are OK, just OK. The triggers on them are not very good, I am talking 5+ pounds, and on some have been as much as 7-8 pounds. Fit and finish are nice, and the gun will hold its value well because of the prancing pony on the side. The don't shoot any better than other manufacturers.

The Old Model Ruger Vaqueros are very strong and well made, but don't handle as well as a SAA or SAA clone. They are heavier, and a little awkward by comparison. This isn't terrible though, they are still nice.

The New Model Ruger Vaqueros have an internal lock, and I simply don't want a gun with an internal lock. They are close in size to a Colt SAA, and I think handle better than the old model Vaquero.

The US Firearms SAA clones are extremely nice. Very nice finish. But there is something wrong with paying more for a replica than you pay for a real Colt.

Uberti Replicas are a mixed bag. If you get one imported by Uberti, Cimarron, or Navy Arms, it will probably be good. In fact, one of my favorite SAA replicas was a Uberti Cattleman that I bought years ago. It outshoots any Colt SAA I have ever fired. It has a 2.5 pound trigger. Maybe its a factory fluke, but it sure is a sweet shooter.

The Beretta Stampede is a nice one too. It has a transfer bar, so its not a true clone, but you can load 6 rounds, and it doesn't have an internal lock like the Ruger. It feels good in the hand, handles well, and will hold its own accuracy wise with any Colt SAA I have ever fired.

There is a certain amount of snobbery associated with Colt SAA owners, and sometimes they will look down on the clones. But as someone who has owned both, the clones will pretty much do everything a Colt will do, and sometimes more. They just won't hold value like a Colt.

I voted for the USFA Cowboy. The only two I would consider are the Cowboy and the Ruger. The Ruger is probably the most durable, but may not shoot to POA from the box. The USFA is guaranteed to shoot to POA. I bet the USFA is also reliable, but I'm not sure that it will be as tough as an anvil like the Ruger.
-David

I've enjoyed the Uberti replicas, still have one from American Western Arms. Great shooter and I don't feel guilty shooting hundreds of rounds thru it. Ruger runs a very close second. Have not been impressed with the new Taurus Gaucho's though.

Ruger NV then Beretta Stampede or Marshall for me.

drj3828 said:

Don't forget the Charles Daily one, I have one and love it. Never had a problem or issue with it and it was less than $350.
DRJ

Click to expand...

And the CD = KBI = Pietta. I've been looking at these very guns and just discovered this connection today. These guns are getting good press in the SASS community, at least for the price range.

-- Sam

I picked 'Other' - and for a good reason. My .45 Colt entry was a Blackhawk convertible. Nice - fun popping my stash of .45 ACP's - and introduced me to the .45 Colt - great round. I did get an early 5.5" SS Bisley BH. I immediately wanted more - maybe either a Colt 'Cowboy' or USFA 'Rodeo'. Swayed by the 'carry five' routine, I found myself drooling over a new 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt residing in a cobweb filled part of the case. I sold the BH at the range - planning to buy said 625MG on the way home - but it was GONE! It was after Labor Day - I spent the $ on an impromptu trip to the Redneck Riviera (Gulf Shores, AL) - my wife was pleased. While there, she shocked me - SHE had bought me THAT 625MG - what a present!

It was a keeper - and my first-ever S&W. What a trendsetter. As it has properly infected me with S&W-itis, perhaps it isn't so much of a deal. It was in last year's S&W catalog - a spotty availability over the years - but seemingly ever-present used at $500--$600. My 'pusher' still has a new one for $659. Mine points perfectly - the Mountain Gun is a very traditional looking design - in SS for easy maintenance. It is a perfect candidate for dress-up wood stocks. It grouped tighter at 25yd than anything before or since in .45 Colt: BH, B BH, .454 SRH, and RH. Ultimately, I lucked into a trade for another 625MG in .45 Colt, sparing my original from ALL of the work. Definitely a keeper. If CAS is not in your future, and you don't have to have a barrel over 4" for hunting, consider the 625MG in .45 Colt. DA is nice.

Stainz

Reloading opens up a world of options. If I were looking for the most versatile revolver that can take advantage of a wide variety of handloads I would look for a Ruger Blackhawk convertible with the extra .45 acp barrel. Can be had for around $450 new. The ruger will handle the bunny fart loads up to hunting loads, much stronger than the SAA and clones. Having the .45 ACP cylinder also gives it much more diversity, may not use it all the time but worth having. Also unless you are looking for a Cowboy Actions authentic piece you will really appreciate the versatility that the adjustable sights will give you. No more guessing point of aim. The .45 Colt is capable of outstanding accuracy and power, NEED ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS TO COMPLETELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! Bill

P.S. Take a look at the Blackhawk thread to get an ideal of how much everybody loves theirs, everyone should have at leadt one!

I like the Ruger Old Model Vaquero, especially if you are reloading. It will take the hotter loads without breaking a sweat.

I've been debating this myself.

I had a $300 Uberti Cattleman and think I'll take that route again. Wish I hadn't gotten rid of it, it truly pointed like the hand of God.

I had an OM Vaq, which, in .357, is akin to using an 8# sledge to drive finishing nails. Way too heavy and kludgy.

Looking through Buds, a NM Vaq and a Beretta Stampede are going to cost me almost $500 to get to...Bud's. (I'm local)

Dealer close to here has had several Cattlemen in the $300 range, (which amazingly feels better than the $1200 Colt sitting in the same case) think I might just bite the bullet and get one of those again.

There's a Hawes Western Lawman there too, but in .357.

A USFA Rodeo reworked by Long Hunter Shooting Supply: http://www.longhunt.com/

Same basic gun as a Cowboy with a non-blue finish (that I like better), with a number of modifications by LHSS, for $760 plus shipping to your FFL:

Special Features:

1. Rear sights widened from .108 inch to .140 inch
2. Serrated front sight
3. Forcing cone cut to 11 degrees
4. Comes with a crisp, no creep trigger pull
5. Radius the square corners on the trigger and polish
6. Replace factory flat “hand” spring. The frame is drilled and a Ruger style coil spring is installed for reliability.
7. Factory main spring is replaced with a Lee's Gunslinger spring for a smooth, reliable cocking motion while maintaining a quick hammer drop
8. Factory flat “trigger/bolt” spring is replaced with a Lee’s Gunslinger wire spring for added strength.
9. Hammer is relieved .007 inch on each side through hammer slot to eliminate drag marks. For that special custom look, the hammer is then jeweled (plain polished on request)

45 Colt in other model

I voted other as I enjoy shooting a Navy Arms Schofield 1875 mfg by Uberti. It's one of the first imported by NA back in the early 90's.

My other favorite is a S&W 25-5, 4" as a carry gun.

If you want the best looking with the best feel of a single action ever made and you can afford it buy the Colt.
If you want the best built that almost has thatlook and feel buy the Ruger.
These are my presonal feling on the subject and I own Rugers, good guns.

I like the Uberti 1873 myself~!