School me on sixguns

[distortion9]

My pistol permit should be arriving any day now (4+ months now :banghead: ).

I'm going to get a USP-C or a Sig 229 in 9mm for my home/carry/range gun. I'm also thinking of picking up a single action sixshooter though. I've always loved these guns but, I really don't know much about them. It will be fired but, it would mainly be for display purposes (thinking nice wood display case).

Throw it at me. Pics, prices, makes, pics, pics.

OR

Am I being silly? The problem with this looooooong waiting period, is that it gives you plenty of time to build a "want list" in your stupid head. Money isn't really a concern, (though I'm not looking to spend a fortune on the sixshooter) so I'm digging the idea of checking another gun off the "want list".

Should I go for the sixgun or get something else more practical? Either way, school me on sixguns.

 

[Majic]

Since money isn't an issue and you want a display case quality single action sixshooter look at the Colt Single Action Army.

 

[hexidismal]

If you don't want to spend TOO much on the single action revolver, you'll want to check out the Taurus Gaucho and Ruger Vaquero Lines. I'm in the market for a reasonably priced one myself, though personally I'm not looking for something quite so classicly styled. So I think I'll be getting one of the Ruger New Model Blackhawk .45LC/45acp Convertables. As far as the colt suggestion above .. well, sure they're nice, but even a cheaper one would run you around twice as much as just one of the 2 guns that you said you actually would spend the big bucks on.

Oh and, I'm curious where you are that you have the long waiting period. 3 to 4 months is pretty average for my county here in New York.

 

[distortion9]

Suffolk County NY. It's something else living in NY, yes?

 

[Jim March]

There's more or less three categories to look at:

* The Colt SAA and "true clones" such as the USFAs, or at the lower end some of the Italian clones. The key is that these have no safety other than loading them "five up" versus six, with the hammer on an empty chamber. These are for display OR for those very serious about paying attention to safety issues.

* "SAA near-clones" duplicate (or come close) to SAA feel but have modern transfer bar safeties and can be carried six-up. The Ruger "New Vaquero", Taurus Gaucho and Beretta Stampede are the top three and the only ones you should consider. Of the three, I picked the New Vaq...search for posts by me within the last six months or so on the New Vaquero for details on why. All three are decent guns.

* There's a wide variety of "vaguely SAA looking" critters that provide either more strength, adjustable sights or both. The various Ruger "Old Vaquero" (actually just marked "Vaquero") models are built on a 44Magnum-sized frame and can handle BIG power. In 45LC they can shoot real monster loads that will blow an SAA-sized gun to Kingdom Come - Bufallo Bore has a factory load with a 325gr hardcast solid doing over 1,300fps for example. The Ruger SuperBlackhawks and most Blackhawks since 1973 are also on 44Mag-class frames, the sole exception being a 50th Anniversary 357Mag built on the same SAA-sized frame as the New Vaq except adjustable sights. Freedom Arms also makes various cool single actions that aren't "quite SAA" although the '97 frame in fixed sights isn't too far off.

 

[timothy75]

You'll need to decide who you'd rather be like. Elmer Keith or Wyatt Earp?

 

[Eightball]

If money's no concern, and it's mainly going to be a display piece, get a Colt SAA with some factory engravings. I forget who it was, but some member had that done lately, posted pics--it was one of the best looking firearms I've ever seen . It was so good looking, I am unsure if I would ever fire the thing.

 

[Baba Louie]

What Jim said... plus look at some of the following sites

http://www.usfirearms.com/
Behold. Made under the blue dome. Excellence and variety

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/revolvers.asp
The original mfg.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FASubType?type=Revolver&subtype=Single Action
Ruger. Modern. Hardy. You can load 6.

http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_pistols_main.htm
Italian Cowboys

http://www.sassnet.com/
Cowboy action shooting. Read on the Forum. Learn. (they're kinda into the attire thing and the jargon ...understatement... besides the shootin' irons)

 

[Frandy]

I went for the Beretta Stampede for a few reasons.

• I got an incredibly good price at my local dealer.
• I've had success with Berettas, and I think their doing good things with their Uberti division.
• They aren't Colts or USFAs, but I think they look good for the price.
• I'm not a CAS, so it's only going to get range and occasional field use. I figure it'll last me a while.

Oh, I ordered new Ajax grips for it and am looking forward to a new look for it this weekend.

 

[Eightball]

Oh, I ordered new Ajax grips for it and am looking forward to a new look for it this weekend.

We need an "after" pic, as well as the "before".

Very nice arguments in this thread.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Hi All

I bought the Taurus Gaucho in .357/38 with a 5 1\2" barrel. It is well made, great fit and finish and shoots good. Paid $389.00 new for mine. The action is smooth and the color case hardened frame/blued barrel looks great in my opinion. Of course YMMV.