Single Action Revolver Question

[CraigC]

The idea of shooting a NM Vaquero or Italian clone loose with a steady diet of full house .357's isn't mine.

I wouldn't lend much creedence to such statements. GP's and L-frames are considered hell for stout for .357's and a Colt SAA-sized single action in that chambering is head and shoulders above either for strength and robustness.

The issue of loading and ejecting 9's in a SAA style gun is my own feeling based on the fact that I do find loading my Ruger Single Six with .22's to be a touch "fiddly" compared to loading the much longer and easier to handle .38's in my Pietta SAA's.

Conversely, I don't find any centerfire as easy to load and unload as an Old Model Single Six. I hold the sixgun in my right hand and load with the left. All I do is grab five rounds from a bulk box and drop them into the loading port one at a time as I turn the cylinder with my right thumb. I don't deliberately insert them into each chamber. I let gravity do the work.

Ejection with 9mm's will also be much, much quicker, easier and more positive.

 

[BCRider]

Craig, my own SS must have slightly tight chambers compared to yours. Even when newly cleaned I need to just very lightly push the cartridges into place. Gravity alone won't quite do the job. And after a couple of dozen rounds they need a slightly firmer push as some fouling builds up.

Of course this could be ammo brand/model dependent as some tend to have slightly smaller brass than others. So far I'm still working my way through two cases of CCI Blazer if it matters.

I wouldn't lend much creedence to such statements. GP's and L-frames are considered hell for stout for .357's and a Colt SAA-sized single action in that chambering is head and shoulders above either for strength and robustness.

Fair enough. And this certainly makes sense when you consider that they shot fairly stout loads of black powder for years with such designs. A .44-40 loaded with BP is NOT a light recoiling load. And neither would be a .45Colt with around the same or slightly more powder in it.

So I'll stop passing on the old wive's tale....

 

[Dnaltrop]

Uberti is Ok for SASS replica weapons... I have their 5" .45 colt Schofield replica (Taylor's model #0855) It's a very solid piece, but not suited to more than 900 fps rounds, I tend to mix plated 225gr and LRN250s. I even carry it as my CCW when the weather permits a longer coat. (Loaded with Winchester 225 silvertips)

The replicas will lack things like a transfer-bar safety that the Rugers have. I have to carry the Schofield with an empty chamber under the full-fledged hammer. Ruger can be carried with a full load safely.

If you're going to go out and USE the gun, hunting, target. defense etc... I'd go with the Ruger.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

The blackhawk is a workhorse. Own one, love it. Built like a tank. The one negative is it has an absolutely horrid trigger (transfer bar) if you are leaning towards a blackhawk i'd look for an old model (no transfer bar). I also own an Uberti and they make a beautiful single action revolver, smooth and excellent triggers.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Folks often forget that when the 357 Magnum first came out in 1935, Colt was very quick to chamber the Single Action Army for it in the same year. The cylinder of the SAA is roughly the same diameter as the large N frame cylinder that S&W used in the first 357 Magnum revolvers. That size cylinder was chosen by S&W rather than the smaller K frame cylinder because of the extra steel that would surround the high powered 357 Magnum cartridge. Today we tend to lose sight of that fact because we are used to the larger Blackhawk and 'original model' Vaquero dimensions, and we often talk about the 'smaller frame' New Vaquero.

But anyway you slice it, a New Vaquero or a Colt or a replica is still a big gun. We ain't talking about a K frame Model 19 here. There is lots of steel around the chambers, and shooting them all day long with factory spec 357 Magnum ammo is not going to hurt them.

 

[The Capt]

lobo9er, thanks for telling me about the Ruger Blackhawk, but I can't afford it just yet. I must admit $500 is a very good price. I will eventually definitely go with the Ruger as the majority of you have recommended. Thanks again to all of you.

 

[CraigC]

If you're going to go out and USE the gun, hunting, target. defense etc... I'd go with the Ruger.

If we're talking about fixed sights, I see no advantage to the Ruger. Lots of folks utilize traditional single actions for "serious" use. The transfer bar is of no consequence as long as you're proficient with your chosen sixgun.

All I can say is that Ruger's marketing has been very successful at convincing folks that they're tougher than everything else on the market, immune to failure and the only thing worth actually "using". Sorry, I own a bunch of Rugers, New and Old Model but the constant true-believer parroting about Ruger indestructibility from every direction gets to be a little tedious.

 

[Confederate]

I greatly prefer the .22LR/WMR because of its cost and function. I've said it before, but I had a cheapo Model 66 RG in college. After I sold it, I missed it greatly. I eventually got a Ruger Single-Six and have enjoyed it thoroughly!











.

 

[lobo9er]

I'm sure you will find another for an equal deal when the time is right. That was my 1st search and 1st page on gun broker. Usually waiting and being patient is the best way to go. Never know what will be at the LGS next time you go, or next time you search the web.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I own zero Rugers CraigC. Count them again if you like. Family members have plenty of them. It's not lack of experience with either brand.

While I can understand your disdain for fanboyism of any kind, I do take offense at being used as your example of some sort of brain dead Zealot, mindlessly parroting some advertising executives Bullet-points. I made no claims to invincibility, only stated that I prefer Ubertis as Replicas, not working-guns. Even though I even CCW my own Uberti at times.

At least have the decency to get the manufacturer right if you are going to imply that I possess this sort of passion for a manufacturer, Most of my guns are Smiths. The rest are 100+ years old.

 

[gilgsn]

I wouldn't discount the Pietta SAA. I vote for the Ruger though, for strength and the adjustable sights, which you will wish you had after messing around with a SAA. If you always use the same load, fine, but if you like shooting different loads, adjustable sights are a must.

 

[foghornl]

I have 2 Ruger SA .357's...

The Glossy Stainless "Sheriff's Model" fixed-sight Vaquero with the approx 3-3/4" barrel, and a 50th Year Blackhawk...a 4-5/8" barrel adjustable sight on the RED3 frame...closer match to the Colt SAA in size.

Like them both A LOT...although with the 'just this side of Thermo-nuclear' loads, the short barrel Vaquero is a real flame thrower.

Buy the Ruger, and a railroad car full of hot .357 ammo. I'll wager that your great-grand-children will still be shooting it.

 

[-eaux-]

I can't imagine why I'd want or need a Ruger Blackhawk in .357/9mm conversion when my .357 will also digest .38spl with only a slight change of hold and no changing mechanics. If I need something hotter than that, I'll get out the Super Blackhawk. 44remmag+10.5"bbl=problem solved (from a distance).
Long story short, go Ruger.

 

[DWFan]

One Colt-replica that hasn't been mentioned is the EAA Bounty Hunter. It has the looks of the Colt SAA with an actual SAA-profile grip frame plus a transfer-bar ignition like the Ruger so you can carry a fully loaded cylinder. That cylinder is the same diameter as a S&W N-frame but considerably longer so you can "cheat" and seat your bullets out a bit farther in the .357 and gain some powder capacity (such as seating the 180gr Hornady XTP to its lower cannelure). The .45 Colt will handle the .45 ACP pressure loads; something that isn't recommended for most clones. It's also available in .44 Magnum and even the .22 is the same full size revolver so one holster fits all.
John Taffin, Paco Kelly and numerous SASS shooters use them.

 

[dagger dog]

Even the USFA SAA Colt clones when used in SASS competition with low power ammo have been known to break the flat hand springs, the most common SAA problem.Gunsmiths do a coil hand spring conversion (alaRuger) to remedy the problem.

There are free spin hand (Ruger calls that part a pawl) conversions for the Blackhawk types that lets you turn the cylinder either direction for faster loading ,if you run past a chamber, along with 1/2 cock hammer trigger kits and even different shape grip frames to "Colt up" your Ruger.

 

[ak-kev]

I have a 3rd generation Colt and a USFA Colt clone. I cant articulate my fondness for each. The quality is exceptional in both. I have NEVER had a failure of any kind with either.

When I wanted to get into black powder revolvers, Colt and USFA didnt have any offerings so I was pushed reluctantly to buy a Uberti. My reservations about Uberti quickly vanished, and I fell in love with their products as well. I now have 2 and both have been just perfect. The fit and finish are not like the Colt and USFA, but it was 1/4 the price. In fact, I will continue to buy Uberti revolvers for my shooters in the future.

I also will get flamed for this but, I worked part time in a gun store for 3 years and I just cant bring myself to buy a Ruger. I respect them, but I just cant own one. A buddy of mine really likes them and I respect his opinion, but I just cant get an emotional attachment with them if that makes any sense. Anyway, sorry for the long post. Kevin.

 

[PRM]

Sure you can afford a Colt.
Pay once and be broke but happy.
Or pay several times, till you finally get the one you wanted in the first place! ~ rcmodel

I agree with your statement.

Rugers are great guns, my father-n-law does SASS with a pair of them and loves the guns.

My first C&B was a Uberti, and I have a Cimarron Lightning and Bisley that are Uberti products. They are good guns. My Cimarron's required work right out of the box, but are now great shooters.

I did bite the bullet early on and buy a 1960s Colt SAA in .45 LC. The gun was like new when I bought it and has been everything an SAA is supposed to be. It's appreciated in value almost 3 times what I paid for it. Back in 2001, I sent it to the Colt Custom Shop and had a .45 ACP cylinder fitted to the gun. Aside from the original purchase, that has been the best money I have spent. I have more than saved enough on ammo to pay for the upgrade. Plus I can shoot both calibers now.

If you really want a Colt ~ your not going to be happy until you buy one.

 

[lobo9er]

never shot a bisely, whats the difference? Does the recoil go straight back instead of roll back?

 

[PRM]

never shot a bisely, whats the difference? Does the recoil go straight back instead of roll back? ~ lobo9er

The Bisley was supposed to have been the top target model of the Colt SAA line during its era. Recoil was a factor in its design, not supposed to roll as bad. I bought mine just because I liked the looks. It has a different feel ~ you will either immediately like it or not. It's a longer grip and is shaped different, and the hammer is set at a different angle. As far as accuracy or noting that much difference in recoil than my SAAs, I cant tell that much. I'm not a competition shooter concerned with speed either.

My Cimarron required a complete re-build right out of the box. I'm satisfied with it now. But, would have paid the extra and got a USFA if I was doing it over. Their quality is on line with Colt, when they were making the Bisley.

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/bisley.asp

 

[CraigC]

just cant get an emotional attachment with them if that makes any sense.

Are you sure?

never shot a bisely, whats the difference?

Folks seem to love or hate the Bisley, Ruger or Colt, with little in-between. I like them, both the way they look and the way they shoot. They are very comfortable to shoot, point naturally (though different from a standard SAA) and are handsome to behold. The Colt and Ruger designs are also very different from each other. Had a Uberti Colt replica in .44Spl but sold it almost a year ago to fund other things. Wish I had it back!

 

[Pilot]

I bought a USFA Rodeo in .45 Colt, then sent it to Longhunter for the coil spring conversion, and tune up. Best of both worlds, IMHO, and you still get the four clicks. You can also just buy one directly from him already done.

 

[ak-kev]

Craig, that is a very nice revolver no doubt, but it just doesn't stir any feelings for me. You know, like, "you need me", or "take me home", that kind of thing. I know its wierd.

 

[CraigC]

Not weird at all, we all have our preferences, likes and dislikes. If you 'know' what stirs your soul and what doesn't, you're already way ahead of most people.

I tried.

 

[The Capt]

Gorgeous guns guys!!!!!!!!!