S/A carry gun?

[Armored farmer]

I admit I'm not a dbl action guy. I just like a good single action. Does anyone have one of the 3.5" SAA that I have been drooling over?? Montado, USFA Storekeeper, Cimmaron Thunderer or Lightning, EMF Pony Express, Taylor&Co Runnin' Iron, etc???
I'm thinkin' about one for carry.

Does any have the transfer bar safety to carry all chambers loaded??

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

My friend has a Ruger Bird's Head .45 Colt that he carries CCW in a "Doc Holiday" type shoulder holster on occasion, and I have been eyeing a Ruger Montado type offering (stainless) that just came out in .44 Special. Almost all of my guns have been used for CCW, as I try to get compatible holsters that can serve for field or CCW use for all of them, but using a single action revolver for defense requires a very high level of practice, competence, and confidence with same. I have been shooting handguns for over 40 years, and feel I am experience and competent enought to make a single action work. I know my limits, and the limits of the gun, and can also be cool headed enough to limit myself to five shots with a slow reload (some guys are carrying J-frames with no reload out there, I just know they are!), so a .44 or .45 is better than that, and if using a Ruger, you can load six, too. There are more appropriate defensive guns that will give you better tactical odds, but who's to say a SA revolver won't get the job done?

 

[markallen]

When I owned this Vaquero, I occasionally carried it concealed. I sold the Taurus, and it was all I had at the time.

It concealed ok, and I never felt under gunned. This was a .45 by the way.

[/IMG]

 

[Armored farmer]

Sharps,
Don't be too concerned about my ccw being a S/A. While I do have a Utah ccp, it is useless here in IL. The only time I might actually carry would be out of state, and probably only have it in the truck.
Been shooting S/A for 35 yrs myself!

 

[average_shooter]

The Berretta SAA offerings utilize a transfer bar, as does Ruger of course. Ubertis and the like do not.

I know I don't really feel "under gunned" with my SAA on me when I'm on the farm.

 

[BCCL]

Uberti is getting into the shorter barreled models, with their El Patron Cowboy mounted shooting versions in 4 and 3.5 inch barrels.

 

[Armored farmer]

BCCL
I'm gonna spend some time on the AT in Georgia next summer. If I'm gonna tote it around...I want to have all six chambers stoked. I don't think Uberti uses the transfer bar.

 

[BlindJustice]

Colt is in niche market with

Cheriffs MOdel Colt SAA 3" Bbl.

"Storekeeper: Colt SAA 4" Bbl.

both have no ejector/shroud and have whitish grips.

the SHeriffs model was also put out by COlt or a
Texas distribuor in the '60s - sort of a 2nd hideway
for a New York Reload - Storekeeper, I could see a
shopkeeper keeping one under the counter.

R-

 

[batmann]

I carry my Ruger Flattop .44 Spl in a Simply Rugged holster. If you are planning on a SA for CC, you will want the transfer bar like Ruger has, you can carry 6 safely with it. IF you can find one, the new Sheriffs model in .44 Spl is very good as is the Montado in either .357M or .45 Colt.

 

[BCCL]

Sorry kkbailey, missed the transfer bar part!

That for sure cuts out the Uberti's.

Ruger of course has them, as well as Heritage Arms Big Bore series made by Pietta, but I'm not sure they do any barrels shorter that 4 5/8ths.

 

[PRM]

Cimarron Lightning

One of my favorites.

Cimarron Lightning in 38 SPL

Upgraded with elephant ivory grips by Jerry Meacham

 

[Armored farmer]

IF you can find one, the new Sheriffs model in .44 Spl is very good as is the Montado in either .357M or .45 Colt.

I already reload both .357 and .45colt. I'd like to stick with one or the other...don't really care which. Probably lean towards .45colt since son #1 has a .45colt Blackhawk, and I hunt deer with a 7.5" .45c BH.

I assume that the .357 and the .45c are the same size except for chambers/bore....like the Blackhawks??

 

[SaxonPig]

SAA as a viable SD gun.

30. Regardless of how much you love your SAA (or Ruger Blackhawk) the SA revolver is not a good choice for concealed carry. It is slower for follow up shots and agonizingly slow to reload. Carry one if it makes you happy, or if you have no other option, but don’t try to argue that it’s a good choice. It is not.

 

[aryfrosty]

S/A Carry

I posted a question about finding a good holster for CCW on a Cowboy forum and you should have seen some of the rants about an single-action being a bad choice because of this and that and the other reason...I carry a Ruger Birdshead in .45 and in my proffesional opinion it is a good choice. At times I also carry an HK P-7 PSP. Many thoughts apply. Practice with it. A LOT. Carry it in good leather. It will certainly take away any "spray and pray" mentalities a person who would carry might have.
The bottom line is that if you are comfortable with it and practice enough to handle it well, then carry it and don't worry one minute about what other folks think of you. "Experts" are thick upon the ground on forums, but few of them are open-minded about differing opinions/ideas.

 

[dogngun]

Uberti quality is fine, and they can be loaded safely

with 6...I have been shooting SAA's for over 25 years, and I would have no problem carrying one-I have in the past. I'd prefer a flat nosed bullet in .45 Colt or a heavy JHP in .357 magnum.

I have had and carried both.

mark

 

[thunder173]

Sorry SaxonPig,..but I have to stand with aryfrosty on this one.

In my sixty years, I have on many occasions carried a SA concealed, ...and wouldn't hesitate to do so again if the need,...or desire to do so presented,.....and I've never felt undergunned with an SA revolver any more than I do when I am carrying a 5 shot J frame.

If a person is comfortable with the SA, practices with it, and knows it's limitations,..AND theirs,...who's to say it's not right for THEM. It may not be what YOU would choose,...or me either for that matter,..and there may well be better choices out there for sure,..... But at the end of the day,.... it's an individuals choice. It's neither right,...nor wrong.

If I decided that I was going to carry an admittedly slow to reload,...and "slow to get a second and subsequent shot on target SA",,...that'd be my choice. And if I ever have to use it in a gunfight,....well,...I don't figure on reloading anyways. If it ain't done in six,.. slow and for sure,..I may have to use it as a club,.....but they'll danged sure know I was there.

As I close here,...my old Pop never owned any other kind of handgun,...but he was pretty fast,... AND pretty good,... with his old Colt SAA in 45LC,...good enough that I've seen him stand his ground with it,... when others turned tail and scooted,....and I sure wouldn't want to be one to be standing in front of any man, ...or any woman,... that is that good with one.

as always,...that's MY 2 cents worth,....ymmv

 

[CraigC]

Carry one if it makes you happy, or if you have no other option, but don’t try to argue that it’s a good choice. It is not.

I would have to strongly disagree with that. If what you are most familiar and proficient with is the single action, it is by far a better choice than a more "politically correct" firearm that you may be vaguely familiar with. It's up to the individual to decide. I don't care at all for polymer automatics. I own only one, am not intimately familiar with it and don't feel the need to be. I spend hours and hours and thousands of rounds shooting single actions. They are what I am most familiar, comfortable and proficient with. I imagine lots of single action shooters feel the same way.

If you don't agree, don't carry one.

 

[thunder173]

Well said CraigC...........

 

[NMGonzo]

SAA as a viable SD gun.

30. Regardless of how much you love your SAA (or Ruger Blackhawk) the SA revolver is not a good choice for concealed carry. It is slower for follow up shots and agonizingly slow to reload. Carry one if it makes you happy, or if you have no other option, but don’t try to argue that it’s a good choice. It is not.

Betcha there are some fast single action shooters out there.

 

[Old Fuff]

I believe that the only "quality" big-bore Single Action that's currently being made with a transfer bar safety is the Ruger, although models with this feature were previously made by Beretta/Uberti and Taurus. However both weren't cataloged with a barrel length under 4 3/4".

While any handgun that is reliable and chambered to use a "meaningful" cartridge can be carried and/or used for self-defense, a Single Action is not the one I'd put at the top of my list, and my association with the old thumb-buster goes back to the early 1950's. While saying that, I have to admit that I've known men that were both fast and accurate - at least for the first five shots. But if you are using heavy loads the plow handle grip will roll the muzzle upward after each shot, and you have to reposition the gun in your hand. Colt tried to address this issue in they're models 1877 and 1878 Double Actions, as well as later hand ejectors, such as the New Service.

Ed McGivern did some fantastic speed shooting that was unquestionably accurate, using a Colt SAA / 5 1/2" chambered in .38 Special - but he did even better with Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolvers with 2 to 6 inch barrels chambered to use the same ammunition.

But anyway, a choice is ultimately made by each individual, and I leave it to others to do exactly that.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I believe that the only "quality" big-bore Single Action that's currently being made with a transfer bar safety is the Ruger, although models with this feature were previously made by Beretta/Uberti and Taurus. However both weren't cataloged with a barrel length under 4 3/4".....
QUOTE]
I believe that the Freedom Arms Model 1997 revolvers also have a transfer bar.

 

[Old Fuff]

I believe that the Freedom Arms Model 1997 revolvers also have a transfer bar.

They do, and you can get just about any barrel length you want - but it is justifiably expensive, and the opening post didn't seem to indicate interest in going to such a price level. However you are right in mentioning them.

 

[popbang]

I carry a single action revolver exclusively. You might think about a blued 4-5/8 inch Ruger Blackhawk as thje lighter grip frame does cut down on weight.

If s/a is what you choose practice alot and get a good holster and belt.

 

[Armored farmer]

Thank you for your concern, my friends. As I stated in post #4...it is rare when I carry. I do have D/A options (Python, SP101, and others, all with speedloaders). I promise to carry one of my D/A's in the "high crime" areas.
I thought a short SAA would fit my shooting style a little better.

 

[Old Fuff]

I thought a short SAA would fit my shooting style a little better.

Confidence, practice and skill can make up for shortcomings in one’s choice of a platform. What is important is understanding what the issues (plus or minus) are and overcoming the negatives. It should be noted that in past history, when improved revolvers (and later pistols) came on line it wasn’t long before they replaced the old Single Action in most holsters. This is not to suggest that there were not exceptions.

Choices should be dictated by what you do best with.