SA vs. DA under $400

[dispatch55126]

I've been bitten by the "bug" again. Its between a 9mm semi or a revolver in .357 or .45LC.

Anyways, I'm leaning to the revolver as I already own a BP revolver and like the feel and balance. I also like the SA style better through I've never shot a DA.

This probably won't be a CCW, mostly target, camping carry and hunting backup.

Is there a SA in .357 and can you shoot .38 in .357 chambers? I think I might go this caliber as ammo is cheaper.

Thanks

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com

Ruger Black Hawk (Gun Number: 976950257)
Ruger Single Action Revolvers > Blackhawk Type
This is a Ruger Black Hawk 357Mag revolver with a 4 5/8" barrel.

Seller: Woodlands World (FFL Dealer) $350.00

RUGER New Model Blackhawk .357 / 9mm (Gun Number: 976972800)
Ruger Single Action Revolvers > Blackhawk Type
RUGER New Model Blackhawk, serial# 33-46264. Introduced in 1973 and still in production. All blued steel single-action revolver, ...(read more)

Seller: Ready on the Right (FFL Dealer) $375.00

Ruger Blackhawk Blue, Rosewood Grips .45 Colt (Gun Number: 976975034) Classified Ad
Ruger Single Action Revolvers > Blackhawk Type
Ruger Blackhawk Blue, Rosewood Grips .45 Colt 5 1/2IN NIB 399.95 + Actual Shipping. All photos are of this exact gun.

Seller: jeff (FFL Dealer) $399.95

 

[Vanderbilt]

I have the New Ruger Vaquero (http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAPro...iation=Color Case Blued&bct=Yes&type=Revolver) in .357 - I've only ever shot .38 special in it. IMHO, there is no better feeling in the world than a SA revolver...at least no better feeling on the range.

One potential drawback is that the Vaquero has fixed sights (although fixed sights would likely be much better for camping). If you prefer adjustable sights, the Ruger Blackhawk is also fine gun, and is available in .357 - http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAPro...p" .44 and .357 Magnums&bct=Yes&type=Revolver.

 

[DMK]

This probably won't be a CCW, mostly target, camping carry and hunting backup.

Is there a SA in .357 and can you shoot .38 in .357 chambers? I think I might go this caliber as ammo is cheaper.

You can shoot most DA revolvers in SA mode also. With the swing out cylinder and ejector, they are much easier and quicker to reload.

Either way, you can't go wrong with a Ruger. Either an SA Blackhawk or a DA/SA GP100. Those guns are built like tanks.

And yes you can shoot 38 special in a 357 gun. My 357 revolvers shoot 38 special about 75% of the time.

 

[Shawnee]

Though I am a major fan of the Ruger single actions I'll offer something different. Below is the .38 Spec./.357 mag. I bought recently. It is a Uberti replica of the 1875 Remington and it is grand fun, and actually quite accurate with 38 Specs. Haven't shot many .357s through it yet.
The 38 Spec./.357 mag. chambering was discontinued but I still see them on websites like "GunBroker" etc. - usually for about $300-$400.

 

[dispatch55126]

Though I'm not a big fan of the 18xx's Remingtons (I like the Colt style) that is the direction I want to go. Similar to early cartridge pistols.

 

[stormspotter]

SA vs DA

If you are looking for a 45 Colt, you might consider a Ruger New Vaquero.



I put a SBH hammer on this one and have a Mernickle PS2 IWB on order for it.



If you are after a 357, you might look at a Ruger 50th Anniversary.




Both are great guns and will last a lifetime.

 

[dispatch55126]

Stormspotter, those are beautiful. Is there any real dirrefence between SA and DA besides the obvious (pull back hammer vs. pull trigger). I would think there would be more issues with a DA with the extra steps the trigger is having to do.

 

[stormspotter]

For me nothing points better than a single action, but thats what I grew up shooting. The double action is faster on repeat shots, but you have two trigger pulls to deal with. I can put 3 shots into a paper plate, at 7 yards, just as fast with either of my single actions as I can with my S&W Model 19 2 1/2 barrel.

Here is a photo, from a member of another forum, of the Mernickle IWB for single actions. Mine should be here in about 4 weeks.







Which ever you get, just practice , practice, practice.

 

[Jim March]

* All 357s can shoot 38Spl and 38Spl+P. Period. The 38s are shorter so you need to clean the chambers after shooting a lot of 38s, before switching to 357. Other than that, no problem.

* SA revolvers are great, but understand that some don't have safeties and some do. The ones that are "true clones" of the 1873 Colt SAA don't. You have to carry those "five up", hammer down on the empty chamber.

* There's three families of SAs that do have proper transfer bar safeties - they cannot go "boom" if dropped and are safe for fully loaded carry. These are: Beretta Stampede series (incl. Marshall and Bisley variants), Taurus Gaucho and Rugers. The Taurus sucks - major amounts of quality control complaints.

* Of the Rugers, there's a ton of variants. All those made after 1973 are full safety and most of the older ones have had the free retrofit.

* The Ruger Blackhawk, SuperBlackHawk and original Vaquero are built on a large frame compatible with the 44Mag, even if they're shipped as 357s.

* The Ruger "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller frame and is of a real handy size close in feel and heft to the Colt SAA. It comes factory as a 357 or 45LC. In 357 it can handle all factory ammo, in 45LC it cannot take the 45LC+P developed for the large-frame Rugers.

* The Ruger 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk Flattop is an oddball. First seen in 2005, it's a mid-frame like the New Vaquero but with an adjustable sight, in 357 only. A really sweet gun.

* Quality control on the mid-frame Rugers is on average VERY high, some of the best guns Ruger ever made.

 

[MCgunner]

* The Ruger Blackhawk, SuperBlackHawk and original Vaquero are built on a large frame compatible with the 44Mag, even if they're shipped as 357s

.

And, that means, you can put any .357 load you can think of it the gun, fire tens of thousands of 'em, and never worry about it. The thing will outlast your grandkids.

* The Ruger "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller frame and is of a real handy size close in feel and heft to the Colt SAA. It comes factory as a 357 or 45LC. In 357 it can handle all factory ammo, in 45LC it cannot take the 45LC+P developed for the large-frame Rugers.

And, for that reason, if you want a hunting back up and outdoor revolver in .45 colt, I'd stick to the Blackhawk. I'd rather have the adjustable sights on a hunting and outdoor revolver anyway.

I have a .357 and a .45 colt Blackhawk. Would NEVER sell or trade either, ultra strong, ultra accurate guns. I'd kinda like to get a 50th aniverary .357, though, little handier weight and I'd get it in 4 5/8" since my .357 is a 6.5".

 

[squirrel sniper]

if youre a little more budget minded, you might want to look at rossi
http://rossiusa.com/products/products-revolvers.cfm

 

[dispatch55126]

* SA revolvers are great, but understand that some don't have safeties and some do. The ones that are "true clones" of the 1873 Colt SAA don't. You have to carry those "five up", hammer down on the empty chamber.

I carry a replica 1851 Colt Navy while in the woods so having a dead chamber is nothing new.

 

[Jim March]

I carry a replica 1851 Colt Navy while in the woods so having a dead chamber is nothing new.

OK, so...Uberti makes a decent gun under $400 brand new.

Me, I'd rather have a Ruger but the Ubertis aren't that bad...