Single Action Help

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hawk45

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Looking to get my first single action. I can't afford to drop $1000 + on a Freedom Arms, so I am looking for something more reasonable.

Two things I'm looking for advice on..

1. 45LC or 44mag

2. Barrel Length? 4 5/8" or 5.5"

It will be a fun gun and for target shooting. I don't have any other calibers in .45LC or .44mag... but I do reload (when I can find primers now!!).

Thanks everyone!
 
RUGER! either a BlackHawk or Vaquaro, (new or old model). If you want a Vaquaro in .44 mag. you will be limited to the old version, as the new model is only made in .45 Colt or .357 mag. My 2 cents, LM.
 
You cannot go wrong with a Ruger in either a Blackhawk or Vaquero versions. I'd get the extra sight radius of a 5 1/2" barrel, I think it's still just as easy to carry, and in 44 magnum there's more components available or a better price then 45 Colt. Plus you can shoot 44 specials in it.
 
Cpt. America said:
You could also look at Uberti. They make some good single actions as well.
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There is an Uberti Cattleman model that is ugly as sin (it's painted), that starts about $300.

Nothing wrong with 'em, so long as you're not loading your 45 Colt to 500 S&W power levels. . .
 
Look at US Firearms 'Rodeo' - a very well made Colt copy with a pedestrian finish. The Uberti's and Beretta's are nice, too. If you are going Ruger Blackhawk, get the .45 Colt convertible model - it comes with a .45 ACP cylinder as well - and for not much more than a regular .45 Colt. The adjustable sights are a definite plus.

Stainz
 
i have many custom sa guns and a couple Fa guns but still my favorite is a plain jane 4 5/8s super blackhawk. All thats been done to it is a bowen rear sight a clements front and an action job and belt mountain pin. I carry it more then about any other gun.
 
Ya get what ya pay for. If I had it to do all over again, I would get a USFA Rodeo in 45 Colt, a NM Blackhawk, either with 4.75 or 5.5" barrel length.

OR

I would get the NM Blackhawk in 44 mag. with the 5.5" barrel.

Either one gives you a great bang for your buck.

The choices are mind boggleing
 
I have the Ruger 44 SBH 4 5/8" barrel. I like the shorter barrel because I carry it while hiking. I picked 44 magnum because I do not reload.
 
I shoot the super black hawk ss with the 7 1/2 in barrel and love it, very accurate, Hopefully my stag grips will be in this week.
 
Another vote for a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk unless you're after that cowboy image. The ability to tailor the sights to suit your loads of choice is just well worth if where shooting accuracy is important. Otherwise a Vaquero or one of the nicer color case hardened replicas. There's certainly no need to pay $1000 plus to find a nice shooting gun.

The Ruger may or may not suit you with its trigger pull as it comes. But with Rugers being so popular and common finding a kit and a smith to modify it to your tastes should be simple.
 
I own 30 handguns....

and my favorite of all time is my Blackhawk in .45 Colt with a 5.5 inch barrel. I would not change a thing about it. As a matter of fact I have not changed anything about it. I bought a simply rugged Sourdough Pancake holster for it and it is perfect.
 
It will be a fun gun and for target shooting. I don't have any other calibers in .45LC or .44mag... but I do reload (when I can find primers now!!).
Click to expand...
Given the above, I'd suggest a 5 1/2" Ruger Single Six.
 
Try the Blackhawk and Vaquero and see which gives you the best feeling of balance and control. That is what a single action rovolver is all about. I happen to prefer the New Frontier Colt 7.5 inch but will stick with the Blackhawk 6.5 inch barrel. I own three ruger single action pistols, all with different barrels for different tasks. My Colt's were stolen.
 
I prefer fixed sights when not shooting paper because they do not snag on everything. And, mine put the load I am shooting right on target if I do my part. I have several Rugers and don't have any that don't shoot where you point them. Yes, if you hand load you need to know how. I really like the original Vaquero in 44. Power when you want it, and lots of fun the rest of the time, with a large variety of factory loads available too.
 
I had this same dilemma when I went to buy my first wheel gun, only I knew I was getting a Ruger Blackhawk since I was raised on them. I had actually placed the order for the 45LC with Impact Guns but I had to wait a couple days for them to ship it from their warehouse to the processing center.

That evening I called my dad to advise him of the new purchase. Dad beat so much sense into me my ears are still ringing to this day. In short, the 44 is way more versatile, ammo is readily available (kind of - you all know the ammo situation these days...), and you can find a wide variety of ammo for it. Only thing you can find for 45LC in a store or at the range are cowboy loads. Anything else is a special order online.

I called Impact Guns the next morning and switched my order to the Super Blackhawk 44 magnum w a 7.5" barrel. I've fallen so in love with the gun, I've started collecting them. My first was a new model as described above and is my main gun. My second is a beauty of an old 3 screw model that comes to the range on special days. Number 3 is a mate for the first. The next ones will be a matched set of 5.5' barrels in stainless. Heh... I think I'm a bit OCD. :D

Consider me biased, but I would recommend a Super Blackhawk.

-MW
 
... but I do reload
Click to expand...

vaquero in 45 colt!
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+1 .........Try and contact your local CAS club no matter what you buy and get in on their bulk purchase of cast bullets. We generally bought ours 150,000 at a time at passed them out at the next shoot after the shipment came in. It sure makes shooting a lot cheaper! Most CAS clubs also buy primers and powder the same way. It's a big help!
 
Sights and Point of Impact.

I'm trying to remember if I had any Colt revolvers that the windage was off and the only one was a early 3rd gen 44spl that I carried till 3 years ago. I was at least the 3rd or 4th owner of it and no one had been picky enough to be bothered that it shot an inch left at 25 yards. I worked on it and the forcing cone and cleaned it up to where I could shoot long range even. I have had quite a few Italian copies that were not windage regulated and the papers from Cimarron do not garauntee them to shoot to P.O.A.
When I ordered (2005) the Colt SAA 44pl I use now I told them what I did with it, what I expected, and how I wnated the front sight squared and lined. They did a good job and I am hotting 12" steel at 100 yards and further. After 3 years I still haven't shot it enough. For me the rounded back edge of the front sight SAA is not a good sight . Fools me where the dam thing ends depending on the daylight. So I square them 90 degrees. Like in Elmer Kieth's SIXGUNS book, top left of page 106 I think.
 
There is only ONE .45 Colt to consider, the Ruger New Model Blackhawk. There's your answer....next question?

I handload a 255 grain Lee cast flat point tumble lubed with 8.3 grains to Unique to 950 fps. It'll shoot 1" 25 yard groups all day. I handload a 300 grain Hornady XTP/JHP to 1120 fps (4 5/8" barrel). Six clicks down on the sight, it shoots 1" groups at 25 yards all day and will do ANYTHING a .44 mag can do. There's your versatility. :D
 
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