Single action revolver advice?

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Universal

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I am pondering the purchase of a single action revolver of some sort for no other purpose than to shoot at the range. Being a semi-historian, I would like a Colt but it would appear that they are a bit expensive. What companies would you suggest I look at for an inexpensive single action revolver?

Thank you.
 
"...inexpensive single action revolver..." Inexpensive being a relative term, look at the Ruger Vaqueros. Externally very similar to the SAA, but with Ruger innards. Strong and there are lots of aftermarket grips available.
 
I suppose I should be a bit more specific with regards to my definition of inexpensive. I was thinking no more than $400, hopefulle even less. I have been looking at the Rugers but hoped that there might be some cheaper option out there. Also, I want to make sure I get a weapon that will not fall apart right away, so I realize that I should not just get the cheapest one I can find.
 
Universal?I have 2 Ruger blackhawks(new)on lay-a-way right now.$330 + tax.(a .30 carbine & a .41 mag)
Don't be fooled by their suggested list prices.Vaqueros may cost a little more,depending on what you want finish/sight wise.Shop around.
 
I just bought a Single Action Army clone from Taylor's and Co. It had a slight mechanical problem that they're fixing now. Their guns are in your price range.
 
The italian clones are in your price range. They aren't colts, but you could do much worse. You can even order .45acp cylinders to keep the cost of shooting down. Have you priced .45 colt lately or do you reload? Thats the big issue.
 
Thanks for your input. I looked at the Taylor's and Co. website and they do have some nice looking stuff. Good point, by the way, regarding ammo. I never really thought about the cost involved with shooting 45 Colt. I am starting to think about a Ruger Vequero in .357 magnum. Do any of you think it would be possible to find one of those at $400 or less?
 
Look around for a Ruger Blackhawk convertible model in .357mag/9mm. These will come with two cylinders, one chambered in .357mag (in which you can also shoot .38 specials), and the other chambered in 9mm Luger. With the current price of 9mm or .38 special ammo, you can't get much cheaper shooting without loading your own.
Myself, for a range gun, I would look no futher than Ruger.
FWIW...........
 
Shop for a few brands. Pietta is a good one. Uberti is usually good. Ruger is great and STRONG. Mateba, ASM-Armi San Marcos, KBI-Liberty, AWA-American Western Arms and some ASM made Cimmarons are brands to avoid. Older Interarms Virinia Dragoons are great. J.P. Sauer single actions are a good defunct brand. EAA Bounty Hunter revolvers are fair, good bargains, bad design for their ejectors. EMF-IAR, Taylor's, Navy Arms and local shops are good for supply. Cimmaron is a high priced importer of Ubertis. You are just paying more for a Uberti.
 
Check out an EAA Bounty Hunter (WWW.EAACORP.COM). Lots of cowboy action shooters are using these guns. They handle pretty good and the actions can be slicked up to make a very nice shooter. Plus they use the same grips as a Colt so aftermarket grips are not a problem. The .357s make fantastic plinkers. I just bought a nickeled one in .357 and can't waite to shoot it (stupid 10 day waiting period).
 
USFA Rodeo. Probably the best value in a "true" SAA clone. Can be had for under $500. These are made in Colt's old factory using Colt's plans and exact specs. Many knowledgable people claim that USFA's workmanship is superior to current Colt SAA's.
The Rodeo has a matte/flat black finish and that's how they keep the price down. USFA's traditionally finished SAA (blue/case-hardened) go for around $900 and they're worth every penny.
I had a Ruger Vaquero 4-3/4" stainless in .357mag it was a well built gun, but it does not have the feel or balance of a SAA. If you want the true feel of a SAA, I can't recommend the Rodeo enough. Don't take my word for it, go to the SASS wire forum and ask them! Also, go to USFA's website, they have some nice photo's of their Rodeo and other pistols.

www.usfirearms.com





nero
 
The Rodeo is by FAR the best value in a "True Clone" of the 1873 Colt SAA. By this I mean it's the same sized gun, the same grip ergonomics, almost 100% identical "balance in the hand", and lacks any sort of modern safety. You must load them five-up and lower the hammer on an empty cylinder bore.

Most of these others aren't "true clones". Rugers in particular are bigger and have modern safeties.

USFA will also sell you fancier-finish cousins to the Rodeo, and much more money. But you literally get the same gun either way - the "prettier" ones go off to Doug Turnbull Restorations for seriously high-end finish jobs but they're mechanically and functionally the same guns and just as "slick" in their handling.

The quality blows the Italians totally out of the water, and per a lot of tests, stomps "real Colts" made today for 4x the money into the dust.
 
I had a Vaquero for a while and honestly.. I wouldn't go down that road again nor suggest another do so IF THE HISTORY OF THE SINGLE ACTION IS WHAT APPEALS TO YOU.

I ended up buying one in the first place because my many SASS friends said it would hold up the best.. but between the size and more importantly the odd feel of the action, I just never warmed up to it. Recently traded it on a nice Smith for Daddy. :)

Anyhow, were I to do it over again I'd likely do Cimmaron or related, as I'd be looking more for a historical-type toy and wouldn't expect heavy-duty punishment for the thing. If I had a lot of cash to blow, I'd likely prefer a USFA or even a Colt.. but well.. it'd be a toy, and I'd not care to spend the extra couple hundred at this point on such a thing. Sounds like you're in the same place.

And um.... 45 Colt is spendy! 45 ACP cylinder or reloading setup is pretty darn important, I discovered...
 
I will add that it depends on whether you own/shoot semi-autos and their calibers. Ruger had a 38-40/40 S&W dual cylinder set up. 45 Long Colt and 45 ACP dual cylinders are made in Colt and Remington clones. 357 Magnum/38 Special and 9MM dual cylinder set ups are made by Ruger also. Sauer made a 44 Magnum/44 Special/44 Russian and 44-40 dual cylinder set up also. I had a well used one for awhile. A single revolver capable of using four different cartridges was nice.:cool:
 
For strength then one of the Rugers (Blackhawk) is the way to go, but for sheer balance and handling nothing beats the Colt SAA or one of it's clones.
The Italian clones would be the most economical, but USFA Rodeo is in the same price range and a much better specimen.
 
If you are not in a big hurry, this is projected to be in your price range.



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I just recently shot the vaquero and my first experience with 357 incidently and was shocked at how little recoil there was. granted the vaquero weighs as much as my arm but hey. I also figure bein 6'4" 208 pounds helps things. I'm wondering if there are single action 357s and 44mags with bigger grips because my pinky sat under the bottom of the grip and it was really uncomfratable and I'm used to autos and I couldn't use my "auto" grip and had to shoot one handed. I'm not a big fan of the bird's head so are there any other options? I like the DAs like GP 100 but i like classic look of the single actions despite the fact they fit like a glove.

on the same topic does anyone have like to possible ways to customize (grips, sights) stuff like that on the rugers or perhaps some non-chromed up SW SAs
 
Killermarmot:

Believe it or not, that "pinkie slung under" thing is the way you're SUPPOSED to do it, if your hands are big enough or grip small enough. It's why the bottom of the grip panels are "angled" instead of being flat-bottomed.

Funky as it is, it helps "index" the gun for the next shot. Recoil is supposed to throw the barrel up some and "stretch" your pinkie, which you then contract as you cock it to bring the nose back down on target. The sensation of squeezing thumb and pinkie should be one big squeeze that ends with everything lined up again and is the proper way to "go fast" when shooting big recoil one-handed with an SA-type. It will get uncomfortable for most by the time you're shooting very hot 44Mag or 45LC+P loads but it'll be fine for more or less all 357s with the possible exception of some of the more psycho Bufallo Bore 357 "stompers".

Some people with smaller hands go so far as to put SMALLER grips on to get back pinkie-under compatibility. Power Custom makes a Colt SAA-sized grip for Rugers that's smaller, or there's the various bird's-heads.

BUT if you absolutely can't stand pinkie-under, the solution is the Ruger "Bisley" grip :). It's longer, and it soaks up recoil even better - it's what custom smiths like John Linebaugh recommend for their Rugers re-chambered as five-shots in 454Casull, 50AE, 475Linebaugh and other "handcannon-class" rounds.
 
well thanks for the tip there jim good to know that I wasn't doing it totaly wrong it just felt very strange after autos. I may give it another go using the technique you describe. I would love to fall in love with one of those SAs because I think the style is outstanding and then I would have a pistol to match my savage 1899 in 303 savage and my winchester 1897 pump figure I'd complete the package maybe with a 45 colt but I dunno about the cost in rounds. Also is that extra weight too much packin around in the hills while hunting. Livin up here I'm used to the hills especially the sierras but is the 6-7+ pounds you're carryin in a sidearm too much? Well regardless I'm sure I'll end up with one eventually
 
My intro to Ruger wa via the 5.5" Blackhawk two cylinder convertible .45 ACP/Colt, bought to dispatch my .45 ACP stash. I sold it in a weaker moment as I planned to buy a SS version, which my dealer had promised me. That turned out to be a Vaquero, ie, non-adjustable sight, version. I highly suggest anyone so-interested try one of the convertibles - including the .357/9mm - with adjustable sights due to the wide variation in ammo available.

My favorite low to nuclear .45 Colt SA is the limited 5.5" SS Bisley gripped version I have. I like my 4.625" SS Bird's Head Grip Vaquero, too, for shear fun - with low-moderate loads. The round grip 'rolls' under recoil... I even bought a .357M Vaquero BHG and am currently converting a similar size .44M Super Blackhawk to that BHG. The BHG Vaquero's are fun, but that .357 version, due to the small holes in same sized barrel & cylinder, is the heaviest! Typical Vaquero, you have to hunt to find a load which hits POI near POA, but that is the nature of any fixed sight revolver. The Bisley-Vaquero is also available, should you want/need that longer grip. The Bisley hammer is a great aid, too... it permits easy one-handed cocking - and allows you to 'sight' before you cock the hammer. The Super Blackhawk hammer is nearly as good. Remember - all new Rugers are six-shooters - Colts and clones are 5-shooters - you must put the hammer down on an empty chamber for carry. I have fitted Bisley hammers to my Vaqueros.

As to new prices, my .44 4.625" SBH was $389 and the .357 BHG Vaquero $409 last week when I bought them locally (c.A. - 'Central Alabama'). The last .45 ACP/Colt BH convertible was $359- $379, I think. Good luck.
 
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