FSCJedi
Member
Wadda you all think? For my money, what would be the best single action .45LC revolver to buy and why? I want a 5.5" barrel, and non-adjustable sights. I haven't made an opinion on blued or stainless yet.
Best SA .45LC Revolver?
- Thread starter FSCJedi
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critter
Member
RUGER! Hands down. Nothing else close.
Kaylee
Member
best..... for what? You interested in it for the historical aspect or the rugged-wake-to-the-woods aspect? Ruger for the latter certainly. One of the nicer SAA clones for the former.. USFA is darn good. 
Josey
member
There are three that come to mind. First is the Ruger Vaquero or Bisley models. Second is the Freedom Arms for most any use. Third is the Uberti Colt clones. USFA makes a nice clone but they are insanely priced.
FSCJedi
Member
I'd be using it for fun, mostly. However, I would throw it on for hiking through the woods and have considered possibly getting into cowboy action shooting.
Tom C.
Member.
I have been shooting CAS for 5 yrs. and while some use original Colts and clones, the Rugers are the most reliable. I prefer the Blackhawks, and shoot in the Modern class because I like the adjustable sights. They are much more practical for using different bullet weights.
SASS#23149
Member
If 'hiking through the woods' includes bears.....RUGER.
For all other purposes,a colt,or clone,is slimmer/trimmer/sexier than 'sledge hammer touh' Rugers,IMHO
USFA is a good way to go.pricey yes,nicely built too.
My next choice would be one imported by Cimarron(sp).
For all other purposes,a colt,or clone,is slimmer/trimmer/sexier than 'sledge hammer touh' Rugers,IMHO
USFA is a good way to go.pricey yes,nicely built too.
My next choice would be one imported by Cimarron(sp).
targetshootr
member
I have a Ruger and a USFA for sale if interested. It sounds like either would work for your purposes.
Jim March
Member
The Rugers can shoot "45LC+P" megaloads up into 44Mag horsepower levels or sometimes beyond. They're also tough as nails.
The USAF "Rodeo" is a plain-jane-finish version of their historically accurate Colt SAA clones. The Rodeo was built first and foremost for CAS/SASS competition and is possibly the best there is for that. Prices are only slightly above Ruger's if at all.
The Beretta Stampede is interesting because it's Colt SAA sized like the Rodeo, but has a "Rugeresque" transfer bar safety that allows full-loaded carry same as the Ruger SAs or any modern DA revolver. It'll look better than a Rodeo but probably not as intrisically cool (metallugy, accuracy, etc.).
The other option is the various no-safety Italian clones (Uberti being the most common). The Beretta is a "high end Uberti" in that Beretta bought Uberti lately and the Stampede was the Beretta-reengineered result. Ubertis aren't TOO disgusting but they're five-up carry and while you'll save some money over a Rodeo while getting a better looking finish...but the Rodeo is a better gun.
The USAF "Rodeo" is a plain-jane-finish version of their historically accurate Colt SAA clones. The Rodeo was built first and foremost for CAS/SASS competition and is possibly the best there is for that. Prices are only slightly above Ruger's if at all.
The Beretta Stampede is interesting because it's Colt SAA sized like the Rodeo, but has a "Rugeresque" transfer bar safety that allows full-loaded carry same as the Ruger SAs or any modern DA revolver. It'll look better than a Rodeo but probably not as intrisically cool (metallugy, accuracy, etc.).
The other option is the various no-safety Italian clones (Uberti being the most common). The Beretta is a "high end Uberti" in that Beretta bought Uberti lately and the Stampede was the Beretta-reengineered result. Ubertis aren't TOO disgusting but they're five-up carry and while you'll save some money over a Rodeo while getting a better looking finish...but the Rodeo is a better gun.
Gunsnrovers
Member
Ruger for ruggedness.
USFA Rodeo for price and historical SAA feel.
Turnbull Classic Cowboy for a beautiful SAA. $995 for a carbona blue bone case hardened on USFA SAA pistol is not expensive at all. Find ANY pistol with that quality finish for that price...
Jeff
USFA Rodeo for price and historical SAA feel.
Turnbull Classic Cowboy for a beautiful SAA. $995 for a carbona blue bone case hardened on USFA SAA pistol is not expensive at all. Find ANY pistol with that quality finish for that price...
Jeff
Josey
member
I would pass on the Stampede, poor QC and function problems. Ubertis are far superior. An older single action to look for is the Hammerli Interarms imported revolver. I shoot Rugers myself.
I dont mean to sound negative, but I dont understand anyone paying that kind of money for a pistol designed over 100 years ago. There is no way a pistol can cost that much considering zero R&D went into it. Modern tupperware auto loaders cost less and I am sure millions were pumped into R&D.
Same goes with people paying 2k on a 1911. I will never understand it. These companys are laughing all the way to the bank.
Stainz
Member
The standard Ruger Vaquero should fill the bill quite nicely. I would buy their SS version first, since the 'color case hardened' receiver is actually an applied finish and can reportedly be scratched/worn thru. If you can, however, try the Bisley-Vaquero's Bisley grip just to see if you like it's feel better than that of the standard Vaquero/Blackhawk.
Another choice might be the limited production convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP SS Vaquero Ruger made for Davidson's. With that separate .45 ACP cylinder, you can plink away much more frugally than with the .45 Colts. Additionally, if you have a 1911, etc, already, that ammo commonality is nice. The blued Blackhawk version, with adjustable sights of course, is a standard stock item. It is easier to find and a bit less expensive (~$370 new locally). I stupidly sold mine two years ago...
I have had a number of Ruger SA's in .45 Colt. My favorite plinker is my 4.625" SS Bird's Head Grip Vaquero, with my SS 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk (adjustable sights) second. That BHG just rolls in your hand... it is 'fun' to shoot! It is no longer a stock item, although the 3.75" version still is. I bought mine new from a closeout dealer, CDNN Investments, for $360 inc S/H (plus your ffl holder's charge...). It is still in their new catalog. Typical of a Vaquero, it's POI doesn't correspond with it's POA at any distance/ammo combo.... but it is close enough to reliably ping small metal plates at 15yd.
If I were to want a five-shooter (SAA clone), I'd opt for the super quality USFA 'Rodeo', and accept it's utilitarian finish. Rugers are big and crude by comparison... but they are safe six shooters - and I like them.
Stainz
Another choice might be the limited production convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP SS Vaquero Ruger made for Davidson's. With that separate .45 ACP cylinder, you can plink away much more frugally than with the .45 Colts. Additionally, if you have a 1911, etc, already, that ammo commonality is nice. The blued Blackhawk version, with adjustable sights of course, is a standard stock item. It is easier to find and a bit less expensive (~$370 new locally). I stupidly sold mine two years ago...
I have had a number of Ruger SA's in .45 Colt. My favorite plinker is my 4.625" SS Bird's Head Grip Vaquero, with my SS 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk (adjustable sights) second. That BHG just rolls in your hand... it is 'fun' to shoot! It is no longer a stock item, although the 3.75" version still is. I bought mine new from a closeout dealer, CDNN Investments, for $360 inc S/H (plus your ffl holder's charge...). It is still in their new catalog. Typical of a Vaquero, it's POI doesn't correspond with it's POA at any distance/ammo combo.... but it is close enough to reliably ping small metal plates at 15yd.
If I were to want a five-shooter (SAA clone), I'd opt for the super quality USFA 'Rodeo', and accept it's utilitarian finish. Rugers are big and crude by comparison... but they are safe six shooters - and I like them.
Stainz
Nothing feels as good in the hand as the original Colt design. The Ruger is without a doubt stronger and more durable and as accurate as the Colt SA but it will never have the feel of the Colt. If you wish the Ruger you may want to invest in a set of Gunfighter grips from Eagle as they improve their grip 100%!
It's not the R&D in the revolver. It's the amount of hand work that's required to build one. These revolvers with the old actions aren't readily adapted to todays machine assembly techiques. It takes human hands to achieve the fit and finish that they have and human labor costs money. Now when you compare the wages of the Italian workers vs the US workers you will see part of the price difference. Then add in the quality of the US revolver and the big price difference becomes evident.
The Rodeo being a base model is just $500+ with it's plain matte finish, but the higher grade models of $1000+ have the original finish of the Colt. It cost to do the polishing for the deep bluing and case coloring of the various parts.
Harve Curry
Member
FSC Jedi ,
I carry a Colt SAA in 44spl. Sometimes I carry one in 45lc, 38wcf, or 44wcf.
I prefer the 44spl.
The Ruger is a strong gun, but it is heavy. If the weight doesn't bother you get a Ruger. I don't like the stainless because the sights glare to much.
You will never lose money on the Colt SAA unless you lose the Colt.
I carry a Colt SAA in 44spl. Sometimes I carry one in 45lc, 38wcf, or 44wcf.
I prefer the 44spl.
The Ruger is a strong gun, but it is heavy. If the weight doesn't bother you get a Ruger. I don't like the stainless because the sights glare to much.
You will never lose money on the Colt SAA unless you lose the Colt.
Kaylee
Member
Presuming you're not looking at your pistol solely from a utilitarian point of view, eventually you'll understand it.
"A more elegant weapon from a more civilized time" and all that.
-K
and oh... no more Ruger SA's for me.. too clunky, and no nice clickety-clickety-click-click like the real colts and close clones. I think an old blackpowder frame model Cimmaron would be just perfect for a "fun" gun..
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