Eaa bounty hunter, heritage big bore, or taurus gaucho?

[Mr. Whimsy]

Does anyone own one or more of these? If so, which one of these budget six-shooters would be a durable utilitarian knock-around gun? I'm not interested in having to tinker with it or send it back to the factory to get it to run right, I just need it to shoot straight.

It will be ordered, so I will not be able to inspect it.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I would suggest a Great Western II from EMF. My wife shoots them for SASS, as well as most of the other local shooters. They've proven to be accurate and reliable.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[zxcvbob]

Run (don't walk) away from the Taurus Gaucho. They are beautiful guns and the price seems right, but the quality control and metallurgy are terrible.

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

LOL well thanks fellows. I will check out the Great Western II - I hadn't heard of that one, so that's very helpful. As for Taurus ... maybe I will just pass that one up.

 

[Nicodemus38]

the known and widely distributed problems with the gaucho is that certain parts on it, as sent from the factory, do not have a great longevity. as a result most people who can tinker with a revolver use replacement parts made by other companies to make them work.

heritage use frames and grip frames, and maybe other parts, that were cnc by Pietta and sent to america for manufacturing.

Bounty hunter is not a true clone, its bigger in the frame to allow it to use full power 44 magnum ammo in that caliber model.

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

It's too bad there aren't any owners of the BH or Heritage on here. I've been to the CAS sites and found very little on either gun, and google wasn't much help.

 

[zxcvbob]

The Beretta Stampede also looks interesting (I haven't heard much of anything about it, good or bad)

 

[DWFan]

If you want info on single actions, www.singleactions.com is a good place to start.
As far as the Bounty Hunter...
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco_WineRoses.htm
The Gaucho has been discontinued for a while.

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

The Gaucho is being sold by CDNN for $250. The other two are around $300.

 

[Nicodemus38]

Interesting news on the Gaucho, last i heard taurus had completely abondoned the entire gaucho line about 2007.

 

[goodtime]

Look in the gunbroker.com search box for Uberti and you'll find the Millenium, aka Hombre model for $300, also. It's the same gun as the other Ubertis, just a less expensive finish. The Great Western is made by Uberti for EMF. Uberti also makes single actions for several other companies. Great guns; I'd recommend them over the others you mentioned.

There's nothing wrong with the Bounty Hunter or rough Rider, though. I do own a Rough Rider, but is is a 22 combo. Cheap, but good in its servicability.

 

[zxcvbob]

The Gaucho is being sold by CDNN for $250. The other two are around $300.

As bad as they are, I'd buy another one (in .357 Magnum) if I could get it for $200. I paid $300 for mine, then spent another $75 on gunsmithing and replacing critical parts to make it shootable.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Personally, I shoot Ruger Blackhawks for SASS. One pair was done by Oglesby & Oglesby, of Springfield, IL. I have 3 others at Pioneer Gunworks, in Springfield, OR, right now having action jobs done on them.

My wife really likes her Great Western II's. Hers are nickel plated, but they also make them in blue and stainless steel.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

Thanks, lots of good info here. I'm now considering the Uberti Cattleman, since I've had half a dozen Rugers SA's but inevitably sent them all down the road. I'm thinking I would enjoy the trigger action on a Colt-styled gun. I know everyone says I should just buy a Ruger, but honestly, to me they are:

1) expensive for what you get - prices go up $35 every year.
2) poorly finished - at least the blued BH's leave me cold
3) too big and heavy for the caliber; if I want a magnum, I'll buy one
4) fantastically over-sprung, leading to crappy trigger pull right out of the box and necessitating at least a spring replacement
5) indifferent about .45 Colt accuracy
6) outfitted with truly terrible plastic grips

Honestly, the grip thing was the last straw with me and Ruger. It's bad enough that the trigger will stink on ice, but now I'll have to rustle up some smooth wood grips right out of the gate. Screw that.

 

[sixgun MAK]

I feel the same way about Ruger. You'll be happier with the Uberti.

 

[bluemailman53]

I have 2 of the Heritage Rough Riders in .22 and never have had a problem with either one. Great little guns for the money.

 

[Jerico]

I just picked up a Ruger Bearcat for a plinker gun. I played hooky from work and ran about 600 rounds through it. From the grin on my face, I'm sure my wife thought I was up to no good today... and she's right.

 

[MCgunner]

I just picked up a Ruger Bearcat for a plinker gun. I played hooky from work and ran about 600 rounds through it. From the grin on my face, I'm sure my wife thought I was up to no good today... and she's right.

Well, it weren't another woman, right?

Seems Rugers are working guns. Guys that play games don't like 'em. I do prefer the Blackhawk, adjustable sights and strong as an ox.

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

Actually, I have a Blackhawk and just can't make myself buy another one. And I had a Bearcat, yes, loads of fun. Wish I had one in stainless, that would be the bees knees given a trigger job and some bigger grips.

To tell the truth though I have sold some more on EBay and can afford a little better gun now than originally planned. Looking hard at a blued Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun in either .45 Colt or .41 Magnum. Was thinking hard about a USFA Rodeo, but I think I'm going to go with the MG as soon as PayPal stops holding my money hostage.

Which caliber would you guys choose?

BTW, thank you all for responding though, much appreciated!