357 mag Single Action

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As far as cas goes I don't think a blackhawk would suit but.....
Although not a favorite of everyone I own a .357 Blackhawk convertible in 4 5/8 barrel. The trigger on my 1911 is pure sweetness but this revolver is actually the most enjoyable pistol I own for range play. You can be running some barking 357s to 38s then swap a cyl (maybe lose a hair of accuracy) and plink away with 9mm.

Pair it up with a .357 lever carbine and it's almost indecent.
 
The purpose is to shoot (plinking ) but , I would like to have one that could be slicked up for cowboy action ( if I can ever get over the costume thing ) . I dont want to buy one that isnt good for cowboy mods in the future .
 
Ruger gives you many choices including adjustable and fixed sighted guns in several barrel lengths. I've owned Ruger single actions since the late 60's and I have never had a bad one. The new price for a Ruger is reasonable but if you look around a little you can find great used guns for almost cheap prices. Because Ruger single actions are so durable I would not hesitate to buy a good used gun. I have two Blackhawk's in .357. Both have thousands of rounds through them and they still look new. The new Vaquero is a little smaller than a Blackhawk and can't take the beating of the really heavy loads, but it is strong enough for a life time of shooting including cowboy action work.
 
would like to have one that could be slicked up for cowboy action ( if I can ever get over the costume thing ) . I dont want to buy one that isnt good for cowboy mods in the future .
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I don't think a Blackhawk or Freedom Arms would be legal for Cowboy Action Stuff but they are great plinker/hunting/hiking revolvers.

Just my opinion mind you... For Cowboy action I would get a COLT SAA (or one of it's various clones).

I would recommend you buy a COLT (1) or USFA (2) if you can afford one. Like I said IMO the COLT is worth the price of admission and always will be. Not super popular in CAS because of the cost and the cost to modiy them for competion but there are a few people who prefer to compete with the real deal. There is just something about owning (and even more so about shooting) a real COLT.

A Ruger Vaquero would be my choice (and 3rd overall) of the lower priced options. Well built quality gun at a fair price. Probally the most popular gun in CAS competition and for good reason.

You really can't go wrong with any of the above 3.

Good luck.
Will
 
Bruno2 said:
does anybody know why the blackhawk isnt popular in cas ?
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The adjustable sights on the Blackhawk put it into a different class than the fixed-sight Vaquero. The Blackhawk must compete in a "modern" class, while the Vaquero can compete in a "traditional" class. Also, most people who compete in CAS prefer the more traditional look and feel of the Vaquero since the whole point of the sport is to use the kind of guns that were available in the late 1800's.
 
Although not a favorite of everyone I own a .357 Blackhawk convertible in 4 5/8 barrel.
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This is what I was going to say - these are fine guns. Affordable, durable, well made (convertible or not). Ours isn't a convertible - just .357/38 in 5.5. I have several .357s to compare to, and this is one nice gun. The post-1973 ones (aka "new models") have a transfer bar and older ones can be easily retrofitted for free by the factory.
 
Bruno2
has anybody owned a beretta stampede ?
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I have several friends who have them and are pleased with both performance and price.

Cimarron Firearms http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ carries a good SAA Colt Clone that is basically a select Uberti. Beretta now owns Uberti. Uberti has for years put out a pretty good C&B revolver.

I own one of the Cimarron Lightning SA revolvers in .38 Special that I really like. It is 20% smaller than the traditional SAA and has a birds head grip. Great quality gun.

The top of the line for me is my Colt SAA. I don't regret the extra time I spent saving up for it. The folks at Colt are great to work with. I sent my .45LC to the Custom Shop a few years back and had an extra .45 ACP cylinder fitted to it for cheaper tgt shooting.

Another top line SAA is USFA http://www.usfirearms.com/

All depends on what you want to spend - my philosophy has always been - buy the best even if you have to save up for it. Over the life time of owning a gun, a few hundred dollars becomes negligible in cost.
 
IMO if you might shoot CAS you should buy a Ruger New Vaquero. They are tough, reliable, almost unbreakable, accurate and can also be carried with 6 rounds safely. I own 2 New Vaqueros in .357 w/5.5" barrels and an older original Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt. They are great guns and they are priced right too.
 
I don't do CAS but if I did it would be with the Ruger New Vaquero. As ArchAngelCD said above: "They are tough, reliable, almost unbreakable, accurate and can also be carried with 6 rounds safely." Mine is a stainless version in 45 Colt. I like to shoot black powder cartridges with it.

For non-CAS, my favorite 357 SA is a Ruger Blackhawk 50th Anniversary model. It is based on the old flattop design with the smaller, Colt size grip and adjustable but rugged sights. It's among the most comfortable revolvers I own. Most of the weight is in the hand, not out at the muzzle. And it has the transfer bar safety feature. If I were to introduce someone to centerfire revolvers, this is the one I would reach for first, using 38 special wadcutters.

Jeff
 
I own a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley Model and a Beretta Stampede.......I like them Both alot!!......The Bisley is absolutely perfect for target shooting and hunting and the Berreta Stampede has the old school feel to it, and a very smooth action. You can't go wrong with either in my opinion..............Good luck
 
A friend who recently passed away bought a Uberti 1875 Remington clone in .357M several years back. It was a favorite of his - and quite well made and very accurate. He gave it to me last year. I had just said goodbye to all of my SA revolvers. I finally told him that I appreciated his gift greatly, but would likely never shoot it - perhaps he would rather have it back. He thanked me for my honesty and took it back.

His brother called me last night - wondering what to do with it! Sad - I should have kept it. We never know when a friend will suddenly depart.

The revolver was a bit large - but like recent other Uberti's, quite well made. Everyone I know who has recently bought one has had a great one right out of the box - not so, sadly, for Rugers - and that's aggravating!

Stainz
 
Consider the USFA Rodeo. Not much more money than a Ruger and quality to rival or even surpass Colt. I know they only make them in .38 Spl, but for your uses it will be fine.
 
yes the blackhawk cant be beat. They even have one that shoots both 9mm and 357
 
I have a Ruger Blackhawk .357 and a pair of USFA Rodeos in .45 Colt. All are excellent guns. If you are considering CAS, you know you need two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun. ("Costumes" are pretty casual for beginners, you can get by with boots, jeans and a workshirt.) My only problem with the Blackhawk is that I bought the 6.5 inch barrel and it is awkard to carry. As others have suggested, a good start is a Ruger Vaquero. In the 4 5/8 barrel, it will be handy to carry. You can add another one if you start CAS. While Rugers have a reputation for reliability, I have had parts breakage in two "old" model Vaqueros: a hand broke on one and the hammer plunger spring broke on the second within days of the first. However, these guns had put thousands of rounds down range in 10 years of CAS competition/practice and many thousands more of dry firing.
 
As a member of the SASS for several years now I can tell you that the modern class is a very large group and the Ruger Blackhawk dominates the class. The traditional class and other classes that do not allow adjustable sights are very popular and usually grow with people who have moved away from the modern class and want to try something different. Ruger Blackhawks are a great way to get started in cowboy shooting as well as being great woods bumming guns. The adjustable sight option allows a greater choice of ammo as a Blackhawk can be sighted in for different bullet weights. Most fixed sighted guns shoot certain bullet weights better than others and require a great deal of experimentation to find what is most accurate. New shooters often don't understand the process and are better served by adjustable sights. Besides, owning more than one gun is what it is all about. Buy a Blackhawk, learn to shoot and then move to the fixed sighted guns.
 
i have cimarron model p's. colt copies, cant leave a loaded round hammer.
very good shooters, good lookin. replaced a ruger vaquero that was very heavy and did not shoot to point of aim. ruger was beautiful gun, well made and well finished, gritty triggers.
 
gwnorth said:
You can also get a Blackhawk convertible, which comes with two cylinders - one chambered for .38spl/.357 magnum, and the other for 9mm. Since 9mm is still much cheaper then either .38spl or .357, it gives you an option for cheap range sessions.
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Add another vote for the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk. As far as 9mm being cheaper than 38 Special, lately I have been buying PRVI Partizan 158gr LRN for online for less than $13/50 (+shipping).

Where can you buy 9mm that cheap?

Scott
 
It looks like AmmunitionToGo still has it in stock for $12.95.
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php/cPath/23_66_110/products_id/3053

It looks like Wideners also has it for $13.90.
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8885

Luckygunner also has it, but they want $19.00!
http://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-158-grain-lead-round-nose-prvi-partizan-50-rounds

And if you can't find it there, maybe one of these places will:

http://www.ammoman.com
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com
http://www.midwayusa.com
http://www.the-armory.com
http://www.ammobank.com
http://www.georgia-arms.com
http://www.natchezss.com
http://www.sportsmansguide.com
http://www.cabelas.com
http://www.basspro.com
http://www.wideners.com
http://www.rrarms.com
http://www.outdoormarksman.com
http://www.wisconsincartridge.com
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
http://www.gamaliel.com
http://www.dlshootingsupplies.com
http://www.a1huntingsupply.com/
http://www.lockstock.com/
http://www.gunsupplyonline.com
http://www.cartershooting.com
http://www.vancesshooterssupplies.com/
http://www.ammodepot.com/
http://www.ableammo.com/
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/
http://www.reedssports.com/
http://www.luckygunner.com/
http://www.ammobank.com/
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/

Remember to save some for your old pal Scott who let you in on his secret stash!

Scott
 
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