looking for single action revolvers for cowboy mounted shooting

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9MMare

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Hi. I posted awhile ago in the cowboy action shooting section but didnt get too much response.

I'm really looking for a pair of these guns.....single action, .45, 4 3/4 barrel. I'd like to find good used ones, but searching online, I cant find much period.

Does anyone know of any sites that commonly list these kind of guns? Ruger, Uberti, Cimmaron, Beretta, Colt are the common ones, but their manufacturer's sites generally have higher prices.

Thanks.
 
I am not into mounted shooting, just a ground-hugging cowboy action type. As I recall, the Ruger Montado was designed for mounted shooters, so you might do a search for that one. Rugers are the most popular brand for those of us that use real ammo, and I suspect it's the same for mounted shooters as well.

The other approach is to attend some matches. There are frequently guns offered for sale by other shooters, as well as vendors , particularly at the big matches. Schedules of mounted matches can be found at

http://sassnet.com/mounted_news.php

Schedules of regular cowboy action matches, where guns can be bought and traded also, can be found at:

http://www.sassnet.com/AnnualMatches.php

for the bigger annual matches, or

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/index.php

for the smaller monthly club matches.
 
I'd go for a pair of Ruger New Vaqueros if I were you. Best place to find them is on Gunbroker.com , the've usually got several pages of them, and you can find some pretty good deals on them.

http://www.gunbroker.com/
 
Don't forget about U.S. Firearms. All the makers listed earlier and USFA make cowboy action shooter versions of their premium single actions. If you wanted to buy new there should be plenty of options. But as mentioned already, I think the classified section of the cowboy action websites would be a good place to start looking.
 
Thanks all!

I have checked SASS and continue to do so. I will try Gunbroker.

And thanks for the tipon US Firearms, hadnt heard of them.
 
Thanks J Bar. Problem is, the season is about to start....there havent been any matches locally...and I need them. I've put out as many local feelers as I can. I can probably borrow again, but it is very discouraging to compete with unfamiliar guns, esp when they jam and dont fire at all :-(
 
Old model Vaqueros have bigger grips than new model Vaqueros and Colts and Colt clones. Of the ones you have used, which felt best?
 
Hi there,
I have also been looking into getting into CAS and I am looking into pistols also, but I have to wait until I turn 21. I have had the chance to shoot my dad's Ruger Blackhawk in 41mag, and from the experience, I would say that Ruger makes an excellent SA revolver. Accurate, smooth action, and easy to take apart and maintain

Hope this helped

God created men. Samuel Colt made them equal
 
Go here http://bobmunden.com/custom-gunsmithing/
Bob Munden is the original cowboy action gunsmith.

I found him reading a post where a gentleman had bob rework his revolver in option 1 for about $185 I believe, and had people who shot it at the range claim "best they had ever encountered", which got me interested.

Bob can do option 2 for Colts and for Ruger Vaquero's only, and insists that it be done for mounted cowboy action.

I own an old Vaquero, and I read a post on some forum where the poster reviewed them side by side comparing down to the parts. For the most part the new Vaquero is a slightly leaner build where they tucked everything in to produce a slightly smaller mass.

For me the Colt / Ruger difference is: Do you want a historically awesome piece thats very expensive and everyone on the range will be jealous? Or new technology and safer internals for half the price in a gun that will hold up very well.
 
There's a GREAT deal on the Hombre version of the Uberti Cattleman in 45 Colt on gunbroker.com right now. It's $250 plus $20 for shipping, new in box. Not the Dutch Auction, but down in the listings for a "Buy it now" price. I have four of these, and they're the same as the more expensive models but with a matte finish. Great guns, great price.
 
9mmare, if you are starting to shoot cowboy and if you have a good competitive juice flow, you will wind up with 38s.

Mounted shooting? JBar, where did you see that?:scrutiny:

JBar is spot on with the Montado for mounted shooting.?

The BEST SA is a 4 5/8" 357 (38Spl.) three screw Ruger. Good used ones (already worn in) are not as expensive as the USFA or a Colt. I have used two for over ten years and theonly thing I have replaced is a trigger return spring in one of them.

This one is a little on the high side but looks good.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/92491172...lackhawk-Type/RUGER_THREE_SCREW_BLACKHAWK.htm

Go to a match and try one. Got your credit card?
 
LOL Red Cent, I pay in cash. I dont remember what fit my hand well last yr, except that birds heads fit better.

And if I go to a match, I plan on competing. I just dont want to use unfamiliar borrowed guns. I have had them completely jam on me.

And I think that CMSA, cowboy mounted shooting, only uses .45 but I could be wrong.
 
Mounted shooters shoot blanks only for obvious reason, so recoil is not an issue. Accuracy is not an issue, and strength is not an issue. The important thing is being able to cock the hammer with the firing hand with certainty, Thus many shooters prefer a lower hammer spur, and most competitors prefer a short barrel. The caliber must be .45 Colt because at matches ammunition is provided (for a fee) by the host club. And .45 is all that is issued. They have to be sure the blanks are indeed blanks, so you cannot use or possess any ammo that was not issued.

Mounted shooting is really more of a test of horsemanship, both riding and training, than it is of marksmanship. True you have to pop the balloons, but the hot gasses, sparks, powder granules, and concussion plus the close proximity of the targets make it hard to miss. The quality of the horse is a lot more important than the quality of the guns, and skill as a rider is much more important than skill as a shooter.
 
For Mounted shooting..the requirements are very different...

than the other cowboy competition. Hence the guns for them are made differently. Smaller, lighter, usually 45 colt for blank shooting, because of safety. As been mention ,it is more about horsemanship than shooting per se. The Ruger Montado would be my choice. I do not do cowboy action but do hunt with horse and a Mule often, and almost always dismount to get my shot at game. Unlike what we see from Hollywood, it is very difficult to hit anything while the horse is moving.
 
EMF has the "Pony Express" in their catalog...

made by Pietta in Italy. Cimarron has a nice new one out as well. Barrels are about 3.5 inches with a very low hammer spur to cock it while riding the horse with one hand. Davidsons has the 45 Ruger montado for a good price now.
 
It's not that hard to hit the balloons at a reasonable lope...but full out gallop..well he's right, that does require a well-trained horse and the ability to move your entire body to aim.

I'm riding my retired reiner...he handles like a dream. So the rest is up to me!

I ordered the Uberti's that were recommended here (someone steered me towards a gunbroker.com deal). I cant wait to get 'em!

And thanks for all the advice and most especially, the gunbroker deal.
 
Goodtime, thanks! I ran the ad for the Ubertis past my mounted shooting club's president and got a thumbs up. I orderd a pair.

Much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have a pair of Uberti 1873 Cattlemen.
Money well spent!!

I'd highly recommend them.
And the cost for each was about 1/3 that of a Colt.

Good Choice 9MMare.
 
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