Torn: USFA Rodeo vs. Vaquero

Which Single ACtion

  • US Firearms Rodeo

    Votes: 24 46.2%

  • Ruger Vaquero

    Votes: 28 53.8%
  • Total voters
    52
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Nightcrawler

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Dec 24, 2002
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Utah, inside the Terraformed Zone
Okay, I'm torn. I want a single action revolver. I want a SAA (not Bisley) type gripframe and a 5.5" barrel. .45 Colt.

On one hand, you have the widely available Ruger Vaquero. Super strong, much in the way of aftermarket support. It's also very strong; it'll take loads that will set the cylinder of my 25-5 to backspinning. Apparently they're quite accurate, too. Transfer bar allows six rounds to be carried.

On the other hand, it's a larger, bulkier revolver. It doesn't have the cool "four clicks for COLT" (though you can get a hammer kit to give it three clicks and a half-cock notch, I believe). It's got the safety paragraph on the side.

Then, you've got the US Firearms Rodeo. Made under the Blue Dome; it IS a Single Action Army, right down the the smallest detail, except made with modern materials.

It costs more, but it's gotten nothing but rave reviews. No safety paragraph. Four clicks for C-O-L-T. Five beans in the wheel; it's very authentic.

It's not a strong, though. Some people say it's only safe with cowboy action loads (though original black powder loads were stronger than modern cowboy action loads, at least in .45 Colt), others say it'll safely handle anything my S&W 25-5 will. (The 25-5 will handle stuff like Winchester Silvertips, Corbon and Georgia Arms 200grains/1100fps loads, and one of the Cor-Bon hunting loads (300 grains at 900fps, I think) was developed specifically for the 25-5, and it's quite potent).

So what's the scoop? Should I get a Vaquero, and go with conveninece, or get a Rodeo, and go with tradition? IS it safte to fire "25-5 SAFE" loads in the Rodeo? I mean, those Cor-Bon 200 grainers aren't going to backspin the cylinder, are they?

EDIT: OOPS! This should be in the revolver forum. I thought I was!
Thanks!!:eek:
 
What choo gonna do wid it?
Whats it fer?
CAS?
Fondlin' & plinkin'?
Shooting charging grizzley coyote deer?
Makin holes in paper and tin cans dance in the street?
They ain't a COLT either way.

One is a derivative (long lost last minute cousin who lives in the old homestead) sorta... that's cool. Right size. Not cheap. Light loads. Feels right. NotaCOLT but close enough.

Other is from Arizona somewhere. Kinda stout. Blue or stainless. Hellastrong. Hefty. New improved. Cheaper to own. Feels and is good & solid. NotaCOLT but kinda looks COLTY.

Ruger
No.
USFA
Wait.
USFA
But then again...
Ruger. Definitely Ruger.
Parts availibility and smiths to tweak it till you've got as much money in it equal to a COLT SAA

Ain't it great to have choices?
How about saving up some more dough and buying a real McCoy?
 
I would get the US Firearms Rodeo, but keep in mind that it's just my opinion. I don't like the feel of the Rugers. Everything I've seen says that you're ok firing any of the loads that quote velocities up to 1000 fps, but keep it around 900 fps for regular shooting.

If I need large, dangerous animal defense then I would get a Ruger, but for just a shooter and a "Just in Case" field pistol I love my Cimarron Arms and would really love a USFA Rodeo. The just feel better in my hand.

Sixgunner.com is a good resource
 
Apples to Oranges.
Two totally different guns.
Different dimentions.
Different actions.
Different frame size.
Different grip size, shape, and feel.
Different weight.
Different ballance.

OK, so you want a Single Action revolver, in .45 Colt, with a 5.5" barrel.

Like Baba Louie said, what are you going to use it for?

Hunting, shooting heavy +P loads, I'd suggest a Vaquero.
General shooting, targets, plinking, light hunting, woods packing where big toothy critters are not a problem, I'd get the USFA.

Now as far as loads go. The USFA, Colts, S&W's, Uberti's all fall into the standard pressure or SAAMI area. All of them will safely handle sensable reloads that are within this area, and some of the lower end warmer loads too.

Winchester Silvertips, CorBon 200 gr JHPs, CCI Gold Dots, and the others are loaded within SAAMI specs. The USFA will have no trouble with them.

OH, if your S&W cylinder unlatches and rotates upon firing, it needs a new stronger cylinder bolt (latch) spring.

Joe
 
http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/snubnose.asp

OK nightcrawler, ya made me take another look see. Went to USFA's website and found the snubnose :what:
Now you done it. I'm gonna blame you. I was happy with my Ruger Vaqueros, but now...
Boy, with a Bisley hammer on one of these things, in .45Colt, 2" or 3"... check out the full size photo at the bottom of the page...
I'm in lust again and I've been so good lately, haven't been buying things I shouldn't, just ammo... don't NEED another SA, didn't WANT one till this AM.

Oh, elswhere on their site you'll find the page with all of the Gun magazines solicited testimonials about USFA Rodeo... They do make ya start to itch for one, I'll tell ya.

And then I found the snubnose. I am in gunlust.
 
I believe that everything I've said about the S&W 25 strength in this thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=944023

...applies to the Rodeo, and if said Rodeo were my gun I'd treat it exactly like the S&W 25.

I'm torn in a similar fashion, except I think I'd pick a Stampede for it's transfer bar if I go with this size/power class. I think it's a "good enough" gun and it's minor deficiencies can be fixed; the Rodeo is in my opinion an overall slightly better gun than the Stampede.

But...no, it's probably going to be a Ruger for me. I want a seriously multi-purpose piece that can do 48-state woods defense and pig hunting among other missions.
 
My only application for a single action is Cowboy Action Shooting. At present I have one Colt and one Cimarron (Armi San Marcos) faked up to look as much like the Colt as possible. I shoot Duelist (one-handed) and the Ruger is just too heavy. If I had to start over, it would be a pair of Rodeos.
 
Hmmm....

This single action would, for me, be just a shooter. However, I don't like "shooter" guns in centerfire calibers that are fragile. If all I ever wanted to shoot was wimp loads I'd buy a .22.

However, if the Rodeo is as strong as my 25-5, then I'd be all set. The vast majority of factory .45 Colt ammo out there is safe in my 80s production S&W, and it would then be safe in the Rodeo, too. Perfect...I wouldn't have to worry about putting the wrong round in the wrong gun and damaging something.

I don't buy ammo that's "RUGER ONLY". The one box of Cor-Bon hunting loads I bought and fired only after calling Cor-Bon and checking. They have one load specifically designed for the 25-5, and it's pretty stout.

Woods carry...interesting idea, but illegal in Michigan, without a hunting license or something. 'Sides, people have been buying up all the land around here like mad; one can hardly go hiking through the woods without running across private property anymore, and technically, firing a gun anywhere but a range is illegal (though up here it's hardly enforced...one time the cops came out to our old shooting sandpit soley because somebody had called and complained about the noise...half the cops shoot out there, too...).
 
Ill take the ruger myself .

Mostly becuse ive had good luck with them and as much as i want a 45lc i wont pay the price fo other overpriced Single actions in thsi caliber And i know with the ruger if i want to rev it up for hunting the ruger will hold up ...
 
Has anybody installed that three-clicks conversion for the Ruger Blackhawk/Vaquero? If I'm not mistaken, it gives the revolver a half-cock notch and pulling the hammer to half-cock aligns the cylinder with the loading gate, for easier loading.

What's the difference in the manual of arms between the SAA and the Vaquero? Doesn't the SAA "click" when you index the cylinder? I think the Ruger Vaquero's cylinder just spins.

Anybody know?

EDIT: What I'm talking about is on THIS page. From Power Custom.

Ruger Single Action Hammer & Trigger Kits

Allows for a 2 ½ to 3 Pound trigger pull for all new Model Large Frame Single Action Blackhawks, Super Blackhawks, and Vaqueros. Make Ruger Single Actions feel more like Colt Single Action. When on Halfcock, open the loading gate- chambers line up with the loading gate for ease of operation, spin the cylinder & hear the pawl sing. On Hammer draw you can hear and feel 3 postive clicks. Wolff Spring Kit includes 3 different reduced power hammer springs, (17lbs, 18lbs, and 19lbs), a reduced power trigger spring, and 1 extra power cylinder latch pin spring (minor modifications are required to some factory parts). Includes detailed instructions.
Click to expand...
 
The Beretta Stampedes are POJ. They are a complete disappointment. The USFA Rodeo is not pretty. They are a good clone. They still need polishing and stoning internally, springs need replacement and timing usually needs a tuning. I put them in the same class as Cimmaron imported Ubertis. I wouldn't have one. I haven't bought a Uberti Millenium either. They look the same and were the impetus for the Rodeo. I shoot CAS. I use Ruger Vaqueros with 5.5" tubes in 44-40 with many durability modifications. I would buy a Ruger again. I am waiting to try the Taurus Gaucho in 45 LC.
 
I am not a cowboy action shooter either, but I went through this quest last year...my wife (she is the coolest) gave me the green light to buy just about any gun I damn well pleased...I looked at USFA, Colts, AWA, Cimmarons, Uberti's, Freedom Arms (well I didn't handle... but I read about them), and Rugers.

I also talked to a 'real' fast action shooter - he used to have a television show in the 50's. I handled his guns - Ruger 3 screws and Colts and sought his advice.

I ended up w/ a 5.5" stainless Vaquero.

Why?

The Ruger is the hands down strongest gun. I wanted to start reloading the .45 colt (i am a new reloader) and wanted the extra confidence of a stout gun.

I really liked the four clicking Colts and clones...but preferred the fully loaded cylinder to a resting one empty one. If I were going to get a 'Colt' then I think that I'd get the USFA SAA. If I were going to get a real Colt..then I'd just shop 'til I could find a nice second generation one

The Freedom Arms sounded all the rage...but has the draw backs of having to use a screw driver for removing the cylinder (according to the 97's manual) and only carrying 5 shells...but you have to keep the hammer on an empty cylinder (again, according to the manual), so you really only get to carry 4 shells. How lame is that?

I did modify my Ruger...I'll post that next.
 
vaquero modification and results...

I ordered a new set of grips from someone on e-bay...they are like some thinline composite wood - black that look nice. They don't really fit the gun perfect, then again neither does the wood that came on the gun; however, the original grips fit best. So, they are whats on it now. Maybe someday I'll have some real grips fitted.

I have a holster/belt ordered from Bob Mckesomeone...I forget the name, but he is actually a pretty famous holster maker...it should be here in like 6 more weeks. I can't wait.

I added the power custom hammer and trigger kit to the gun. It made a huge improvement to the trigger! Everyone who shoots it raves about it.

The hammer/trigger kit also added another click in the hammer action, the 'half cock'. It makes for loading much easier. When you try to load the gun without the half cock, the click of the cylinder does not index when the cylinder is aligned with the loading gate...when you are on half-cock it does. Since the cylinder only spins in one direction, the indexing of the cylinder with the reloading gate makes it much easier to load without geeking up and passing the hole only to thave to spin the cylinder 360 degrees to load it fully. Of course, all of this could be fixed with the next modification...

The power custom free spin pawl. With it...when the cylinder gate is open and the hammer is down, the cylinder will move in either direction without any noise - well mine moves either direction w/o any noise - hope I put it in right ;) But, you can still place it in the half-cock and get the clicking one way indexing, if you have the power custom hammer and trigger assembly installed that is.

Anyways, I am happy with my gun...it's become quite the pet project and a very fun gun to shoot. I am impressed as to how well it shoots with the simple CAS ammo. Right now I've been soliciting advice for an all-around hunting/plinking round and have gotten some good feedback both at work and on this board.

Sooner or later I'll have some custom well fitted grips. I'm just not sure what I want yet.

Anyways...that's my two cents,

L.W.
 
I forgot that I had seen a Colt syle grip frame for the Rugers that give it that SAA feel instead of the big fat Ruger feel.

Here at Brownells

I guess I'll have to buy a Vaquero and try it out. :D
 
Ya...I think they may need some fitting so I was kind of intimidated by them. But, I do like the handle that's on mine now so I'm not worried about it.

Also, in my previous post I stated that Rugers were strong...well FA's are just as strong I believe from the reloading manuals...didnt want to leave them out in the cold. I'd really like to handle an FA97 and see how it points. Their owners seem satisfied with them...I'm just surprised at the 4 chamber carry when a gun has a transfer bar safety.
 
Josey,

The USFAs are not in the same class as the Ubertis. They are better than the Ubertis and they don't have cheap internals and springs. They have a better action than real Colts (which I've read in more than one place uses some Uberti parts, now - made for Colt).

The Rodeo is a fine gun. It has a matt blue finish, instead of a polish blue/case coloring.

I've read over and over that the USFAs are better than Colts.

Nightcrawler - as for a comparison, you might try to handle both and see which you like. You might have a hard time finding a USFA in stock somewhere, but you can probably find something like an AWA Peacemaker. (These are not as good as the USFAs, but will give you a feel for a "Colt" type SAA.)

I have Rugers, but to me, the Colt pattern SAAs just feel and handle better. If you're not going to be using heavy/hotter loads, I bet you'll like the USFA better. They just have a better balance to me.

Just pick each one up. See how the grip feels. My guess is when you cock the hammer, you'll be sold on the USFA. The clicks just sell me on them. (Also note the pleasant absence of an owners manual printed on the side of the barrel...) For some reason, when I bring the hammer back to half-cock to load the cylinder on the SAAs and hear the cylinder click as I turn it, I feel like a cowboy... :)

Steve
 
Think about it. Uberti is owned by Beretta. Colt no longer has a black powder division. Why? Uberti was the manufacturer. No more. Uberti used to make USFA pistols though. USFA decided to outsource their internal parts and grips and use USA steels. This is the reason for their high cost, they don't use anything but the best to make their USFA revolvers. They still require springs, action jobs, tuning and can benefit from locking base pins. Uberti will build as a importer demands. I believe that Cimmaron imports the best Uberti clones in fit and finish. I put the USFA Rodeo finish in matte black in the same class as the Uberti Millenium matte black finish. Internally, all clones and Colts need work out of the box. My Rugers needed a bit of work to handle CAS. I agree that a Ruger/USFA comparison is unfair to both. They are like a Navistar diesel HD truck being compared to a four banger Dodge Neon.:banghead:
 
Coupla points of clarification, coming from a not-very-active SASS shooter. The stock Rugers do indeed have the "clicketyclickclickclick" that you hear when spinning the wheel after loading. I have resisted having free-spin pawls put in my guns just so I can still hear that music at the loading table. That song goes away with a free-spin pawl, but it allows you to (obviously) rotate the cylinder in either direction when the loading gate is opened. This can speed loading or unloading, but I question the utility of that in a SA revo anyway.

If you don't have either a true clone or a Ruger already, go with the Ruger. Muuuuuch more durable. Never a problem with 'em, from a "will it function?" standpoint. Note that Ruger has a reputation for having really tight chamber throats on all their .45 offerings. There's a cottage industry out there, known to the cowboy shooters, of reaming the chamber throats out to appropriate dimension. Accuracy is improved very noticably. I have a good friend who is a practicing SASS-specialist gunsmith who will do this very reasonably. Drop me a line, and I'll hook y'all up.
 
I love my .357 Magnum Vaquero with the 4 5/8" barrel. I just hate the fact that they weren't offering the bird's head grip at that time. Why couldn't they have done it earlier, why?? Oh why?? :banghead:



To make matters worse, at the time I purchased mine the grip handles were wood whereas now they offer the sweet imitation ivory with the inlaid Ruger medallions. Sure, I can purchase a set from Ruger, but hang it all they want $98 for a set - plus shipping! ***?!? It's only a plastic compound for crying out loud! :mad:
 
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