I am wanting to buy a new 45 Colt single action revolver in a Colt look alike or replica. As I already have a Vaquero and a Blackhawk, Ruger is out. Considering Uberti, Charles Daly, Taurus, etc. What would be my best choice? I don't want to spend over 450 to 500 dollars. Less if possible. Would like to hear from owners of all these brands. I recently saw a Taurus Gaucho and was favorable impressed. Help me decide. Kyfarmer
Help me choose a new six shooter.
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PlayboyPenguin
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There are lots of Rugers
Of the ones you mentioned the Ubertti is a cool firearm. However, I myself have both a .45colt Ruger Vaquero and a .44 Ruger SBH Hunter but I just layed-away another Ruger revolver today. The Vaquero I already have is the Birds Head in the color case finish and the one I layed-away today is the .357mag Vaquero in gloss stainless with the faux pearl bisley handle (Sheriff's model and it cost me $409). There are all kinds of combos in the Ruger SA revolvers. No need to limit yourself to one or two.
Of the ones you mentioned the Ubertti is a cool firearm. However, I myself have both a .45colt Ruger Vaquero and a .44 Ruger SBH Hunter but I just layed-away another Ruger revolver today. The Vaquero I already have is the Birds Head in the color case finish and the one I layed-away today is the .357mag Vaquero in gloss stainless with the faux pearl bisley handle (Sheriff's model and it cost me $409). There are all kinds of combos in the Ruger SA revolvers. No need to limit yourself to one or two.
sfhogman
Member
Here's the Gunblast review of the Gaucho. Looks pretty cool. I kind of want one myself.
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus_Gaucho.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus_Gaucho.htm
MCgunner
Member
Not really into SAAs or replicas, but I know Uberti makes great replica cap and ball revolvers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I were lookin' to cowboy or something. My Single actions are Rugers except for a Pietta made pocket Remington .31 cap and ball. Uberti has been around a long time now and is well respected for quality and accuracy of their replicas (as in accuracy of design). I wouldn't know about Taurus or Beretta or others as far as their faithfulness to original design if that matters to you. I'd have to read up on that.
DaltonSpringfield
Member
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- Apr 16, 2006
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- 52
Choosing a Sixgun
I am a Cowboy Action Shooter (although not a great one) and a member of SASS. My personal collection and experiance may shed a little light on this topic for you. If you intend to shoot CAS with them then I reccomend the .38/.357's instead, but if you just want a .45 then this may help.
My "main" set of cowboy match guns is the Taurus Gaucho's
These guns have an MSRP of $510 and usualy sell for between $350 and $450
My impressions of them are:
Pro's
1. Probably the best "out of the box" cowboy guns there are
2. Sliiiiick stock action when compared with the other colt clones.
3. The Taurus hammerlock will help comply if your state requires internal locks and doesn't bother anything if you choose not to use it.
4. They are available in 3 barrel lenghts and 3 finishes
4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2, Blued, stainless, and color case hardened (my fav)
5. Most colt accessories and grips will fit nicely.
6. Uses the Colt action design (all 4 clicks), sounds sweet.
7. Dependable as hell, i have a full year of CAS matches on my STOCK pair without a malfunction.
8. They also come in .357Mag/.38SPL
9. Very accurate, I am not the greatest shot and can put 5 rounds on a dixie cup at 25 yards, more a factor of "instintive point of aim" due to the sight design than anything else i think.
10. Best bang for your buck as far as Colt SAA Clones are concerned.
Con's
1. Can be hard to find in some areas
My "spare" set of cowboy match guns are AWA Classic's
The MSRP on the classic is $400 and sometimes you can find them for that, usualy more like $475 or so.
Pro's
1. Come in same configurations as the Taurus
2. Colt style "firing pin on hammer" looks cool and is relaible
3. Also come in "antiqued" finish, looks spiffy for a CAS match
4. No Transfer bar. (can be slightly faster in the right hands)
Con's
1. No Transfer bar. (can't be carried ever with all 6 rounds, hammer must be down on empty chamber every time, good practice for all SAA clones, but mandatory with these)
2. At least a little gunsmithing will be required to bring them up to par with the Gaucho's and NEW Vaquero's for CAS
3. Even harder to find than Goucho's in some areas
I also have my first set of cowboy action guns, they are the EAA Bounty Hunter's
The MSRP is Between $369 and $399 depending on configuration and can be had used very cheap (between $250 and $300)
Pro's
1. Cheap and effective
2. See #1
3. With enough gunsmithing they might be able to run with the big dogs.
Con's
1. The Gaucho's put these guns to shame when it comes to the feel of the action.
2. Cleaning becomes a majorly important thing, the slightest powder fouling will lock them up.
3. I bought them because they were cheap (got 2 for $550) and I didn't know any better.
If all you intend to do is shoot at cans these may serve well, but I was unimpressed with the performance in the CAS matches.
There are others you may want to at least look at such as those offered by the following makers/importers.
Berretta
USFA
Cimarron
EMF
Navy Arms
This site may help in your decision http://www.curtrich.com/GettingStarted02.html
Best of luck and Happy Shooting
Dalton
I am a Cowboy Action Shooter (although not a great one) and a member of SASS. My personal collection and experiance may shed a little light on this topic for you. If you intend to shoot CAS with them then I reccomend the .38/.357's instead, but if you just want a .45 then this may help.
My "main" set of cowboy match guns is the Taurus Gaucho's
These guns have an MSRP of $510 and usualy sell for between $350 and $450
My impressions of them are:
Pro's
1. Probably the best "out of the box" cowboy guns there are
2. Sliiiiick stock action when compared with the other colt clones.
3. The Taurus hammerlock will help comply if your state requires internal locks and doesn't bother anything if you choose not to use it.
4. They are available in 3 barrel lenghts and 3 finishes
4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2, Blued, stainless, and color case hardened (my fav)
5. Most colt accessories and grips will fit nicely.
6. Uses the Colt action design (all 4 clicks), sounds sweet.
7. Dependable as hell, i have a full year of CAS matches on my STOCK pair without a malfunction.
8. They also come in .357Mag/.38SPL
9. Very accurate, I am not the greatest shot and can put 5 rounds on a dixie cup at 25 yards, more a factor of "instintive point of aim" due to the sight design than anything else i think.
10. Best bang for your buck as far as Colt SAA Clones are concerned.
Con's
1. Can be hard to find in some areas
My "spare" set of cowboy match guns are AWA Classic's
The MSRP on the classic is $400 and sometimes you can find them for that, usualy more like $475 or so.
Pro's
1. Come in same configurations as the Taurus
2. Colt style "firing pin on hammer" looks cool and is relaible
3. Also come in "antiqued" finish, looks spiffy for a CAS match
4. No Transfer bar. (can be slightly faster in the right hands)
Con's
1. No Transfer bar. (can't be carried ever with all 6 rounds, hammer must be down on empty chamber every time, good practice for all SAA clones, but mandatory with these)
2. At least a little gunsmithing will be required to bring them up to par with the Gaucho's and NEW Vaquero's for CAS
3. Even harder to find than Goucho's in some areas
I also have my first set of cowboy action guns, they are the EAA Bounty Hunter's
The MSRP is Between $369 and $399 depending on configuration and can be had used very cheap (between $250 and $300)
Pro's
1. Cheap and effective
2. See #1
3. With enough gunsmithing they might be able to run with the big dogs.
Con's
1. The Gaucho's put these guns to shame when it comes to the feel of the action.
2. Cleaning becomes a majorly important thing, the slightest powder fouling will lock them up.
3. I bought them because they were cheap (got 2 for $550) and I didn't know any better.
If all you intend to do is shoot at cans these may serve well, but I was unimpressed with the performance in the CAS matches.
There are others you may want to at least look at such as those offered by the following makers/importers.
Berretta
USFA
Cimarron
EMF
Navy Arms
This site may help in your decision http://www.curtrich.com/GettingStarted02.html
Best of luck and Happy Shooting
Dalton
If you want something that feels great, get a Cimarron Uberti.
If you want something that is even better, get an Evil Roy model (a bit more than you want to spend).
You already have guns with transfer bars. I'd recommend getting a good Uberti with a real Colt design, unless you want to spring for a USFA. If you are willing to pay for a USFA, I doubt you'll regret it.
Consider Wolff Springs. They're worth the few bucks they cost.
And yes, for a t-bar gun, the Taurus does feel amazingly good. But it doesn't feel like the real deal.
For a cheap gun to use and abuse, a Uberti Millenium with Wolff Springs makes a damn good shooter for around $300 total. The only dubious thing is the brass grip frame, which looks "off" somehow since originals were steel. Uberti now makes a similar gun in all steel for another $75 or so, with checkered walnut or hard rubber grips.
Depends if you want something to get dirty and worn, or a shiny gun to take meticulous care of. The shiny ones are beautiful.
If you want something that is even better, get an Evil Roy model (a bit more than you want to spend).
You already have guns with transfer bars. I'd recommend getting a good Uberti with a real Colt design, unless you want to spring for a USFA. If you are willing to pay for a USFA, I doubt you'll regret it.
Consider Wolff Springs. They're worth the few bucks they cost.
And yes, for a t-bar gun, the Taurus does feel amazingly good. But it doesn't feel like the real deal.
For a cheap gun to use and abuse, a Uberti Millenium with Wolff Springs makes a damn good shooter for around $300 total. The only dubious thing is the brass grip frame, which looks "off" somehow since originals were steel. Uberti now makes a similar gun in all steel for another $75 or so, with checkered walnut or hard rubber grips.
Depends if you want something to get dirty and worn, or a shiny gun to take meticulous care of. The shiny ones are beautiful.
DaltonSpringfield
Member
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Messages
- 52
Forgot one
Forgot to add one that a friend of mine owns.
I think Taurus Gaucho is the best deal, but here is another option.
The Uberti Millenium. Can be had at places like Cabela's for $299
As long as you have a Cabela's or similar outfitter in your state, this one should be easy to find.
This is not a CAS Racegun by any means, but can be made into one by the right gunsmith. This is your basic, reliable, straight-shooting, Uberti Colt clone in its simplest form. I'ts not pretty (plain jane rough matte blueing) but it works well.
I do not own one of these but if I were looking for the cheapest effective Colt SAA clone, and only had $300 to spend, this is it.
It will also not be as smooth as the Gaucho out of the box, but the $100 price difference may make up for that since your standard "slick up" gunsmithing job costs between $100 and $125.
Happy Shooting,
Dalton
Forgot to add one that a friend of mine owns.
I think Taurus Gaucho is the best deal, but here is another option.
The Uberti Millenium. Can be had at places like Cabela's for $299
As long as you have a Cabela's or similar outfitter in your state, this one should be easy to find.
This is not a CAS Racegun by any means, but can be made into one by the right gunsmith. This is your basic, reliable, straight-shooting, Uberti Colt clone in its simplest form. I'ts not pretty (plain jane rough matte blueing) but it works well.
I do not own one of these but if I were looking for the cheapest effective Colt SAA clone, and only had $300 to spend, this is it.
It will also not be as smooth as the Gaucho out of the box, but the $100 price difference may make up for that since your standard "slick up" gunsmithing job costs between $100 and $125.
Happy Shooting,
Dalton
Beretta Stampede...for what it's worth...
If I had it to do all over again, I might buy a Gaucho or perhaps spring for a high-priced USFA.
That said, I have had success (at the range, I'm not a cowboy action shooter) with my Stampede, which you might already know is a Beretta made by their subdivision, Uberti.
If I had it to do all over again, I might buy a Gaucho or perhaps spring for a high-priced USFA.
That said, I have had success (at the range, I'm not a cowboy action shooter) with my Stampede, which you might already know is a Beretta made by their subdivision, Uberti.
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