beretta stampede or uberti ?

[_N4Z_]

Looking at single action revolvers in .357mag. Got the itch. Gotta have one. Have a Marlin 1894c who needs a friend.

These are the two I am leaning towards.

This will be used for informal fun at the range, shooting steel and paper. I will not be doing any SASS.

BP in OKC has old west finish Stampede's with the walnut grips for 450, brand new. A local gunshop close by sells Uberti's. They may be a touch higher.

Going tomorrow to compare. Any local residents of this forum have opinions/experience to share?

 

[Oro]

I don't own either of those two. But when I was researching the SAA style guns, lots of very knowledgeable folks steered me to look at the New Vaquero. I found a good deal on a pair (here at THR), one each in 5.5" and 4 5/8". Bought both. Love it. At first the 5.5" felt the better, but the more I adjusted to the unusual SAA grip, the more I realized the 4 5/8" (4 3/4" in other Colt copies) was the better handling.

I got .45LC, but it comes in .357, too. I'd recommend checking it out at least if you have not. The quality of this recent production New Vaquero was much better than the older (pre-1980) Blackhawk models I was familiar with. The b/c gap was square and just right. Each cylinder bore is just right, action is smooth, finish even, etc. It's a really, really nice gun for the money and surprised me.

Now if you HAD to have Colt style, they said go Beretta/Uberti. And on the Beretta/Uberti front, the sage advice I got was that if you were getting a new one, it did not matter as they were the same. Older ones had some build differences/quality comparisons, but not for the last few years since production has been standardized since the merger/acquisition a few years ago. Again, this was the sum and consistent advice I heard from lots of study and advice from SASS shooters and not my own, so it's third hand.

 

[dashootist]

I have a Uberti. It is very authentic. I replaced the main spring with a genuine Colt spring. It shoots straight. I reload both black powder and smokeless. If you want a near real deal, get the Uberti. By the way, you can only safely chamber five on the Uberti.

I believe the Beretta has a transfer bar, like a Vaquero. They are less authentic.

 

[_N4Z_]

Thanks for the info guys.

Spent the morning browsing and feeling up Uberti's, Cimarron's, Rugers, and Beretta's. After much debate and handling, I came home with a Cimarron Model P, 4-3/4" barrel, color case receiver, .357mag. Was smoother than the Uberti's, with a noticably lighter trigger pull. After comparing them all in hand, the Cimarron gave me the "this feels right" feeling.

So that's that. Will post some pics and give an obligitory range report soon.

 

[Red Cent]

Beretta bought Uberti in 2000.
If the Colt and USFA won't fit, then Taylor's Smoke wagon. Far from last and for the money, get a Ruger and a Wolf spring kit. I'm partial to the Blackhawk. Adjustable sights. My old 3-screws look like the new ones but operate like a Colt. The Ruger does not click four times. It does not have halfcock. You can spin the cylinder both ways. Loading gate frees the cylinder. Gotta go to halfcock on the others.

N4Z, no biggy, but you bought a Uberti. Cimarron, Taylors, and Navy Arms are (and more) distributors of the Uberti line. Cimarron is rumored to demand quality from Uberti. When Beretta bought Uberti, Beretta, who owns Benelli, Franchi and, I believe, Sako and Stoeger, tightened quality. On other posts you might have read my comments on the early Ubrtis and the lack of hardening of the internals.
If you bought a new manufactured Cimarron, enjoy. You got a good SA. It really needs an action job to bring out the potential of a Single Action revolver. Please go to one of these matches and handle some really tricked out SA revolvers. Careful. Be very careful. It is contagious.
http://www.sassnet.com/AClubs-OK-001A.php

 

[_N4Z_]

Ya, I was aware that Uberti was the source for many of the rebadged clones, including Cimarron. Like you say, I have also read / heard that the Cimarrons were a cut above the standard Uberti. I found this to be true today having them side by side. Atleast as far as trigger pull and a slighty more pleasing appearance. I'm no expert, but I think the case color on the one I got today looks pretty good. Nice wood grips too.

Looking foward to shooting it. Going to load up some 158gr hardcast with Unique tomorrow, of moderate power.

 

[rodinal220]

I have two of the Uberti Cattlemans,blue 5.5" .45 colt.They are very accurate and with some tuning,can have very usable actions.I have broken one trigger bolt spring(older flat spring style) after approximately 3K rounds.Easy to get through VTI or Brownell's,very little fitting needed.

I do not have any experience with the Berreta version.

 

[_N4Z_]

Follow up on my new Cimarron. Glad to report it shoots poa with 158gr rounds. Fired some factory PRVI sjhp's, and some handloaded lead swc's over 4.2gr of Bullseye.

I am going to need a little practice to get familiar with this piece. Different animal from the DA Rugers I am used to.

Here's a couple pics.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Beretta's seem mostly to be a bit more finished over a stock Uberti.

Nothing wrong with a bit more Polish though, I'm going to try and sneak a .38 Break-top Beretta Laramie into my wife's birthday presents next year.

Nice cattleman, should keep you smiling.