New Vaquero .45 colt

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Bandit01

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Okay, I was thinking about purchasing the New Vaquero .45 Colt. I really love the look of it but I really can't get into the single action revolvers. I hate loading them and I'm used to shooting double action.

Here's my question: Are there any revolvers with the similar look to the Vaquero in .45 Colt that's double action?
 
Don't think so. Years ago several companies (Hi-Standard and H&R for example) made .22 double-action revolvers with a western look.

What you might do is get a Ruger Super Redhawk, and have a set of grips made along the shape of those made for the Vaquero. Because of the design of Ruger's lower frame this wouldn't be hard too do. Same could be said about the GP-100, but that would be in .357 Magnum, not .45 Colt. The Super Readhawk would have to be in .454 Casull.

Unfortunately, no easy answers here ...
 
Is it the double-action system that you like, or the way the DA revolvers fit into your hand? While I love my SA wheel guns, DA's are certainly more pleasant to shoot with stiff loads. But As far as action goes, 99% of the time I run my DA's in single action, so that is almost a non-issue. I have a Ruger Vaquero 5.5" in .44 Mag. It can be a handful, but is still fun. That said, I would never want to shoot anything much hotter in a cowboy-style SA. My .454 is a Super Redhawk.

*If you want a nice-feeling .45 Colt, check out the Beretta Stampede. Beatiful renditions of a classic. Not as stout as the Rugers, but less Bulky and much closer to the original 1873 (Stampede's do have transfer bars; Their Uberti Counterparts do not). I bought a bright nickel 5.5 model and I love it. They also come in .44-40 and .357 Mag.
 
While I love my SA wheel guns, DA's are certainly more pleasant to shoot with stiff loads.
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Gosh, I find just the opposite to be true. SA style 'plowhandle' grips roll up in my hand and end up pointing skyward... and to me, felt recoil is less. DA types seem to jolt straight backwards.

I always understood the heavier Freedom Arms calibers to be easier shooting than they would be in DA style revolvers. Of course the FA SA's have a subtle change in the grip... still similar to the SAA, though.

Anyway, to the original poster... for me, the loading/ejecting routine is a treasured ritual that's a part of the overall fun of the SA experience. I'd suggest you try one of the nicer Single Actions if you can borrow/rent, preferably in a heavier caliber. It's a different kind of shooting experience... just as Autoloaders provide something different again.

If you love guns and history, I'm guessing you'll like SA's if you give them a good try. :)

best,
StrikeEagle
 
If your just wanting the western look and heritage, the Colt Thunderer and Lightening were both popular Double action revolver choices of the day. They look just about like a double action version of the Single Action Army.

Problem is they have been out of production for eons, and not sure if anybody makes a replica currently :confused:
 
Nope ... Colt's model 1877 was made from that year to about 1908, and never certified for use with smokeless powder. Today it's an expensive collector's item with a reputation for lockwork failurers.

I don't think anyone is even thinking about making a reproduction - too expensive to make and too little demand. There are some look-alike single actions though.
 
These are double action revolvers. They are from Cimarron Firearms.

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Grayrock.

Nope ... Those are single action revolvers (note the position of the trigger) with a backstrap designed to make them look like Colt's early double action (model 1877 and 1878) revolvers. They are popular with some Cowboy Action shooters, but they are still single actions.
 
These are double action revolvers. They are from Cimarron Firearms.
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Are you sure about that? Those triggers look like they're right against the backstrap -- not enough length of pull to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer.

When you go to their website, they call those two revolvers the Thunderer and Lightning (and those WERE double action Colts.) But when you go to the parts diagrams (for example "Model P / Thunderer / New Sheriff") you find they have single action lockwork.
 
While I love my SA wheel guns, DA's are certainly more pleasant to shoot with stiff loads.
Click to expand...
Gosh, I find just the opposite to be true. SA style 'plowhandle' grips roll up in my hand and end up pointing skyward... and to me, felt recoil is less. DA types seem to jolt straight backwards.

I always understood the heavier Freedom Arms calibers to be easier shooting than they would be in DA style revolvers. Of course the FA SA's have a subtle change in the grip... still similar to the SAA, though.

Anyway, to the original poster... for me, the loading/ejecting routine is a treasured ritual that's a part of the overall fun of the SA experience. I'd suggest you try one of the nicer Single Actions if you can borrow/rent, preferably in a heavier caliber. It's a different kind of shooting experience... just as Autoloaders provide something different again.

If you love guns and history, I'm guessing you'll like SA's if you give them a good try.
Click to expand...

Interesting how everyone perceives recoil different. To me, the plow-handle single-action grip is murder on my hands with heavy loads (.44 magnum, .45 Colt +P Ruger-only). In standard .45 Colt or .38 special, the Plow-handle grip is mild, but the heavy loads (magnums or .45 Colt +P) beat my hand up.

With most double-action grips, heavy magnums or .45 Colt +P are very easy shooting, especially in GP 100 (.357) or Super Redhawk (.44 magnum) platforms.


The one single-action grip that I find as easy recoiling as most double-actions is the Ruger Bisley. The grip shape on the Bisley fits my hand so well, that even though there is no rubber to cushion the recoil it still feels like a relatively speaking peashooter even with .44 magnum or .45 Colt +P loads...


So, for me I like the Ruger double action grips, or the Ruger Bisley when heavy recoil is a consideration. The "Plow-handle" grips only work for me for light to moderate loads. Just IMO, YMMV
 
Well don't feel bad Grayrock I got the whole "Thunderer/Lighting" thing going which is kinda like recommending mammoth meat to someone asking about a good grilling steak.

I would have assumed somebody would make a replica with all the other cowboy type guns about with modern reproductions, but didn't think of the fact double action aguns would likely not be allowed in the "Cowboy" competitions (despite the fact many of the gunfighters they so carefully try to emulate did use them.) Fact is I think with the type of shooting they do (close fast) I can see there point because a medium shot with a double action gun could make most of thier top dogs with single actions look real bad... Thats a huge market, and without it doubt it would be worthwhile for any company to tool up.

I'll leave now before I get a rant on about "The Wild Bunch" and pump shotguns in same competitions ;)
 
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