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Single action in .357?

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Fredericianer

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I'm thinking about getting myself a revolver and I really like the look of the Colt SAA, but unfortunately a real one is out of my price range. Luckily there seems to be a good few cheaper options open to me.

My plan is to buy one in .38/.357 so I can use it on indoor ranges in the winter, and perhaps try it with black powder in the summer. Does this sound like a viable idea?

At present I'm considering either an Uberti Cattleman, or a Ruger New Vaquero, though I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any better ideas.
 
The best SA on the market today is either the Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero. Apparently you prefer the "cowboy style" SA, so I would go with the 357 Vaquero. You will be getting the safest and best looking SA on the market, and the price won't bankrupt you. Just ask the man who owns several(me). JMHO!
 
I have the Ruger Blackhawk ...

and it is a wonderful gun. Have killed several deer and wild boar with it. With adjustable sights it is very accurate and a real winner.
 
I just purchased a stainless Uberti Cattleman in .357 not to long ago and am very pleased with its performance.

For a $450 SA pistol, its well built, solid, and shoots a nice tight group with .38 (have yet to shoot .357 out of it).
 
Another vote for the Blackhawk!! I have had mine for a couple of years, and its one of my favorite revolvers. Highly recommended!!!

-George
 
The Rugers are good guns, more durable and safer than the original Colts, and true Colt clones, but they do not have the feel, nor do they operate in the same manner as the original.
It just depends on how "Authentic" you want the gun to feel and operate.
If you want the true Colt feel without the Colt pricetag the Ubertis are fantastic and are sold as Uberti, Cimmeron, Beretta and others. higher pricetags on these usually indicate a nicer finish, not a better gun.
US Firearms also makes a true Colt clone and can be had in the Rodeo and Rodeo II model for about the price of the higher end Ubertis. It's made in the US as well. The higher end US Firearms are about the same price wise as a real Colt.
Do not take this in any way as a "bash" against Ruger. Very good guns and will most likely take more wear and tear as well as outright abuse better than any of the other options.

Just explaning some differences.
 
Ruger Vaquero for a fixed-sight revolver
Ruger Blackhawk if you need adjustable sights.
 
My plan is to buy one in .38/.357 so I can use it on indoor ranges in the winter, and perhaps try it with black powder in the summer. Does this sound like a viable idea?
Click to expand...

If thinking about shooting Black Powder get stainless and it will make you cleanup a lot easier. I vote the new Ruger Vaquero as the grip size more closely feels like a "Colt".
 
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I have a SS Blackhawk. Love it. It's a heavy gun so if that will bother you get the Vaquero or one of the Colt clones. All that weight really tames .357 recoil though. Zingers that make my hand hurt in my S&W mod. 19 are no problem at all in the Blackhawk and .38's barely make it bounce.
 
i own and shoot single actions more than any other firearms anymore. i really like the Ruger New model Vaqueros. i have several in 45LC and 357/38. i also have a 2 USFA Rodeos in 45LC and one in 38, they are also great guns in every way. i would recommend either the Ruger or the USFA equally. i use my guns alot for SASS ground shooting and mounted shooting plus regular practice, both the Ruger and USFAs have held up to the torture without any issues. Jim Finch sells both brands already tuned for not much more than you can buy them at a local gunshop, his website is Longhunt.com. the italian guns arent bad but i would pay extra for American steel, thats just my 2 cents.
 
I dont have any experience with the rugers, so I cant comment on them.
But I just bought a uberti cattlemen .357 (just the plain one, local gun shop had them for $199). So far it has been a shooter, has really surprised me. Surprised me so much that I went back and bought a 45 colt in it. I dont think you could go wrong with either one.
 
perhaps try it with black powder in the summer.

This requirement would dictate a satinless gun AFAIC. Blackhawk or Vaquero would be first choice depending on what sights you want. Seond choice would be Uberti. I have a blued 357 from them for a few years that has worked well for me.
 
I think Ruger made a medium-frame .357 Blackhawk recently. Called the 50th Anniversary model, or something like that? It would be kind of like a New Vaquero with adjustable sights; that would be a nice combination. A full-sized Blackhawk is way bigger and bulkier than you need for a .357.
 
zxcvbob - there is one thing about the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk. It is on the smaller frame and is more compact but with it's steel grip frame, the Blued 50th Anniversary is a heavy sucker compared to the blued Blackhawk with its alloy grip frame. If I'm not mistaken it is considerably heavier and even a tad heavier than a New Vaquero (though I could be wrong about that). I'm not saying that's a major issue, but it was surprising to me how much heavier it felt than it looked, especially with those little .36 caliber holes in all that steel.
 
I have the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. It's a fine piece. Very sturdy, even heavy. Adjustable sights. What's not to like?
 
I have bigger hands and don't like the small grip frame on my Blackhawk. I wish I had a Bisley Vaquero instead.
 
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Big Bill, I've got big hands too and it took me a while to get used to hooking my pinky under the butt. But now it feel entirely natural.

Fredericianer, it sounds like you're going to want to play with a lot of different ammo and get into reloading at some point. In that case there really is only one option, the Blackhawk. The adjustable sights will be a must have for shooting the various ammo loads. In fact test and keep notes about how many clicks it takes to lift or lower the rear to suit each load and plan on buying spare sight screws since you're going to wear them out in a couple of years each moving the sight for each load. For some you may only need to exercise a little "Kentucky elevation" but for when it really counts or when you zero in on some sort of match ammo you'll want the adjustable sights.
 
I just bought a Ruger Blackhawk in .357. I love single action. I would advise an adjustable sight if you load your own. You can adjust for various loads and bullet weights. With fixed sights you have to adjust the load to the revolver; then file the front sight down to adjust bullet strike. If you don't load your own, you'll be trying a lot of commercial loads - - then you'll be filing the front sight down.

The only gripe I have about Rugers are the triggers. They always need work.
 
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