Single Action .45 Colt in 3.5"

Which 3.5" .45 Colt?

  • Beretta Stampede Marshall

    Votes: 6 12.0%

  • Uberti Cattleman Bird’s Head

    Votes: 6 12.0%

  • Ruger New Vaquero

    Votes: 38 76.0%
  • Total voters
    50
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ArchAngelCD

ArchAngelCD

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Northeast PA, USA
I'm going to buy a Single Action revolver in .45 Colt for target shooting and just because I want one. I will be buying more than 1 in the future but right now I want a 3.5" revolver like the ones the gunfighters used to stick in their belt.

I have narrowed it down to a few and was wondering which would be the most reliable. There is no "other" choice because I have looked at almost a dozen and I will be buying from the short list in the Poll.
 
I don't like 3 1/2" barrels. That said I voted RUGER.
Strong, durable, you can load six safely, and it is made by Americans in the good ol USA.
If your sticking it in a belt the short barrel does't give it much perch and a short sight radius.
 
A 4 3/4" is a short as I would want.

Any shorter and the ejector rod won't knock the empties all the way out.

Course, if you get a Sherrif's Model without an ejector rod, I guess it wouldn't matter much!

rcmodel
 
So, what was the manual of arms on the originals? Poke out the empties with a stick or could they be relied upon to just fall out?
 
... right now I want a 3.5" revolver like the ones the gunfighters used to stick in their belt.
Click to expand...

Maybe in Hollywood, but not in history. The demand for so-called Sheriff Models (so named by collectors, not Colt) was so small that were only made on special order. A handfull of gamblers cut down the "big iron," but most favored the 1877 double-action model that was available with a short barrel out of the catalog. If you intend to shoot the gun and hit something that isn't a card table away stick with a 4 3/4" or longer barrel that comes with a handy full length ejector assembly.

If you chose to ignore this advice, check out Dixie Gun Works at (www.dixiegunworks.com) as they have an Uberti Sheriff Model with a dovetailed front sight. You can zero it the point of aim and the bullet's point of impact. Best of all, it's also on sale.
 
number6jr,
That is a nice setup... The white grips look good on those revolvers even though I usually like white on blue.

Old Fuff,
I carry and shoot a M638 J frame all the time, and do so fairly well. How much more difficult will a 3.5" Colt replica be to shoot? I am intending upon getting several in all different lengths but if the 3.5 is more difficult than a J frame to shoot well I will change my mind and buy a 4.75" barrel first.
 
I carry and shoot a M638 J frame all the time, and do so fairly well. How much more difficult will a 3.5" Colt replica be to shoot?
Click to expand...

You didn't mention at what distance you “do fairly well” with the little S&W 638, but I presume you will do as well or better with a 3 1/2" single action.

So far as accurate shooting is concerned you lack weight and forward balance, and will get some vertical stringing of shots as a .45 Colt round rolls and rotates the muzzle upward in your hand. Also after the chambers get fouled it's a pain to eject the fired cases.

Here in Arizona a 4 3/4" revolver is considered to be good to at least 100 yards. I have made some admittedly lucky shots at twice that distance. It's a matter of knowing your trajectory. The .45 shoot like a mortar, but once launched nothing disturbs that 250-grain bullet.

Using a Colt 2nd. Generation .45 / 71/2” I’ve knocked down metallic rams (about the size of a average German Shepard) at 200 meters, and many others have done the same. My score at that distance with any S&W J-frame snubby isn’t particularly impressive… :D

The Old Fuff realizes he’s over the hill, and few pay any attention to either his advice or rambling. That’s why I mentioned the availability of an excellent 3 ½” Sheriff Model at Dixie Gun Works.

Sheriff Model single actions are sort of limited in they’re potential, although somewhat fun to play with. I still stand with my suggestion that you start with a longer barrel length first, and get the shortest one last. ;)
 
I suggest Ruger New Vaquero

with 7 1/2 inch barrel. Sorry, I am not following your parameters but I have one in 45 Colt and love it. The long barrel gives a better sight radius and the weight up front of the long barrel helps reduce the recoil and promotes more accuracy. Of course, you want a shorter barrel but as for me.....give me the hog leg. You know, Matt Dillon couldn't be all wrong.
 
I did see a custom Colt SA with a 4" barrel a few weeks ago that was very appealing. But for the most part I find that a 4.75" barrel is just about perfect on a single action.

This is just personal but I want a single action to preferably be a Colt and if not, then as close to a Colt as I can get. Therefore I would go with the Uberti.

I have Rugers and I admire them for their strength. A SBH is my hunting gun and an old model Single Six is my plinker. But if I'm not shooting high pressure loads, I'll take the Colt or the look alike.

The New Model Vaquero is a very nice gun. It wouldn't be a bad choice. It is not available with a barrel shorter than 4.75 however.
 
Look at a Ruger Montado!!

I have had my Montado for about one month now and I could not be more pleased. It is a new Vaquero with 3.75 inch barrel, high gloss stainless. It is really nicely finished. I hand load and am pleased that Ruger got their act together with the cylinder throat dimensions. No reaming required. At fifty feet it is dead on for windage and about three inches high. All six holes touching with 250 gr round nose bullets and 8.5 gr of Unique. This is a great revolver!!
 
I'm always delighted to find I have a supporter, but have to wonder if they are as far gone and over the hill as I am... :D

In an age of tactical polymer pistols I find myself sill using 19th century era revolvers. On the other hand I haven't noticed many (any?) of the new guys trying out their Tupperware at 200 meters... :neener:
 
In an age of tactical polymer pistols I find myself sill using 19th century era revolvers. On the other hand I haven't noticed many (any?) of the new guys trying out their Tupperware at 200 meters...
Click to expand...
I haven't seen them practice at 25 yards much.And I'm still listening Fuff.
 
If you want a gamblers SAA snubby, just take the barrel clean off like some of them did.

Those old Black-Powder loads would kill'ya pretty dead at card-table distance with just the cylinder for a barrel. :D

rcmodel
 
ArchAngelCD,
I been thinking about what you wrote: "I want a 3.5" revolver like the ones the gunfighters used to stick in their belt."

Wild Bill Hickcock carried 2 long barrelled 1851 Colt Navy models.
Wyatt Earp a standard Colt SAA 7 1/2" not counting the Buntline 10" or 12" .
Pat Garrett I'm pretty sure was another standard COLT SAA 7 1/2".

That 7 1/2 " was the goverment issue so it probaly saw alot more use during the 1870's .
The 4 3/4" , 5 1/2" barrels got more popular by the 1880's-90's.

Those less then 4 3/4" were known as shop keepers or sheriff models. They didn't have an ejector rod. You removed the cylinder to push the empties out with the base pin.
regards,
Bill W
 
The New Model Vaquero is a very nice gun. It wouldn't be a bad choice. It is not available with a barrel shorter than 4.75 however.
Click to expand...

Well, there is this one:

329L.jpg


Caliber: .45 Colt
Barrel Length: 3 3/4"
Grip: Simulated Hard Rubber
Rear Sight: Fixed
Suggested Retail Price: Distributor Exclusive
( Available exclusively at Davidson's Gallery of Guns )
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5120&return=Y

Might not be cheap or easy to come by, but it is out there.


J.C.
 
Jamie C., I stand corrected. I didn't know that Davidson had contracted a special run.
 
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