Torn: USFA Rodeo vs. Vaquero

[Jim March]

One45auto: the Qualite bird's-head grip frame in steel or brass is the same outline as the Ruger, and takes the same grip panels, or stick with the Micarta Hogues QPR supplies. See also http://www.qpr-inc.com/ under "parts". If you get the brass, it's $150 and very easy to fit that to your gun with hand-files and a Dremel for final polishing.

While you have it all apart, at a minimum do a spring kit and a Power Custom freewheel pawl. All told you'll be in for less than $250 and you'll have one HELL of a nice gun.

 

[stellarpod]

Just finished shooting our local annual CAS match, Landrun, with my SS 7-1/2" Vaqueros. I believe it would be real tough to find a more durable, reliable platform.

Nonetheless, I admittedly prefered the "feel" of the Colts and clones. My comparison of the two narrowed the most distiguishable difference to the width of the grips. The Ruger grips are much thicker than the Colts or clones. Fortunately, I discovered Gunfighter grips by Eagle Grips. These grips are much narrower, mounted without any fitting and have made a night and day difference in the feel of the gun.

For my money, the Ruger with the retrofitted Gunfighter grips gives me the best of both worlds.

stellarpod

 

[Nightcrawler]

Just found out....

...that all new Ruger revolvers are shipping with internal key-locks or some such.

I might be convinced to tolerate a double action revolver with such a lock; MIGHT. It'd have to be a gun I really wanted that I couldn't get without such a lock.

But an authentic-style single action revovler with an internal keylock? To hell with that. You guys in Maryland can have 'em.

Suppose I'd better get used to it. Eventually you won't be able to buy a gun without such a device. Next might come legislation mandating that guns be stored with the locks locked. Who knows? I don't know. I just don't like the idea, along the same vein that I don't like the idea of a 9mm double stack that I can't get >10 round mags for.

 

[Stainz]

I wanted a Rodeo when I first read about them some time back... great heritage. My experiences with Ruger SA's have all been quite good, while I do know personally of a few folks who have had real problems with the clones. My intro to .45 Colt was via a .45 ACP/Colt convertible, bought to shoot up my stash of ACP's. The 'fit' of the SAA grip is legendary - as are many of the clones. The standard Blackhawk (and Vaquero) grip is a bit bigger - and, for me, even more comfortable. Then I discovered perfection... a 5.5" SS Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt. The adjustable sights of the Blackhawks made them quite able to accept a range of ammo.

I wanted a Bird's Head Grip for some time... they just looked neat. I had to try a couple at the range where I work part time as a range officer. I was impressed - except that the shorter base pin on the common 3.75" BHG Vaquero seems to work out - and the shorter ejector made case removal a problem, too. Then I got the last CDNN Investments catalog for '03... it had a closeout SS BHG Vaquero in 4.625" with black micarta grips. I ordered one... $370 + $10 s/h to the range's ffl. It was, of course, new... and perfect. I ordered a Bisley SS replacement Ruger hammer and free-spin pawl from Brownell's - the total cost of my BHG was now up to about that of a store-bought current 3.75" - but, for me, far better. In use, it is pure fun... kids can shoot that BHG .45 - as can large-handed guys - it just rolls in your hand. That Bisley hammer allows aiming without cocking the hammer. Like every other Vaquero I know of, it shoots 'low and left' when shooting paper... right smack on the small metal plates when shooting at the plates... you'll miss if you try to 'adapt' for the paper shots... really weird.

So... if you like a neat 5-shooter, with heritage but less a classy finish, try the USFA Rodeo. Now, you wanna 6-shooter that'll shoot anything - and last? Then, get the Vaquero... and try out a BHG! I may have to order another one...

Stainz

 

[Gandalf]

Go ahead and get the Ruger IF you want to look at that stupid safety paragraph on the barrel the rest of your life. The USFAs are great guns but with a few more dollars you can have the original and never look back!
Here's mine:

 

[smithandwesson]

Ruger Vaquero

USFA Rodeo

 

[Gun Runners Alaska]

Rugers in general , Ruger Vaqueros !

 

[Nightcrawler]

The Colt Single Action Army, 5.5" barrel, in .45 Colt chambering, has a suggested retail price of $1,380.00.

The MSRP of the Rodeo is $658.00. I'd like a Colt, but I just don't have that kind of bread. And the USFA is reportedly every bit as good as the stock Colts (custom shop jobs from either manufactuerer are a topic for a different debate, as I've never seen either).

 

[I_am_Troy]

USFA Rodeo

Gun Runners Alaska said it all!!!!!

 

[Nightcrawler]

I'm really taking a shine to the more "authentic" Rodeo. I'm wondering that if I was going to get a Ruger, if I shouldn't just get a Blackhawk instead. I mean, if you need the heavy loads, it's generally for hunting, and you want good sights on that kind of gun.

The Rodeo would be fine for my plinking purposes. And, hey, no readme file on the barrel!

Check it out on USFA's webpage.

 

[seeker_two]

If you want the USFA or other SAA-clone revolver & also want a little extra strength, I suggest you take a page from Elmer Keith's book & get one in .44 Special. He found that extra little bit of steel in the chamber walls (compared to a .45LC cylinder) gave strength for the "warmer" loads that he was developing. While not strong enough for magnums, a .44SPL sixgun can handle warmer loads better than the same gun in .45LC.

Just a thought....

 

[Gunsnrovers]

USFA

My first handgun was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 I bought in 1992. When I shot CAS years ago, I shot Rugers. I never really liked them. They always felt wrong, but they worked. I left CAS just as the Vaqueros were coming out, but they were still clunky Rugers to me.

About 18 months ago I got a Rodeo for $425. Wow. Huge improvement. Out of the box it performs with a decent trigger (much better after a little work, some Tetra grease, and more then a few rounds down range) and shot where I pointed it. Felt great in my hand and the quality was high.

The Rugers are built tuff, but that's as far as I'll go. I kept the Blackhawk as it was my first gun, but sold my CAS Rugers. There are things I like about Ruger guns, but there are more things I don't.

I was looking at the Colts, but for the $ and the lousy quality I saw on the ones available, Colt isn't getting my $ on a SA.

Get a USFA. Either a Rodeo or the nicer finished ones. You'll be happy. You'll have a gun that feels like an old Colt and one with quality that the current Colts can't match.

Jeff

 

[Nightcrawler]

More USFA Photos

...from their website.

The Omni-Potent Revolver

Sheriff's Model

The Snubnose

 

[valnar]

From what I've seen, the Beretta Stampede isn't that bad. The idea is great - standard Colt size, Ruger's transfer bar for 6 up, and a pretty good price compared to a real Colt.

You just need to see a couple to pick a good one. No biggie.

After all, this is about shooting, not winning Safe Queen beauty pagents, right? 'Cause anything short of a real Colt is a compromise, so just get the one you want. At that point, what does it matter if it's an American clone or Italian?

-Robert

 

[Nightcrawler]

Yeah, but I'm really getting attached to the US Firearms. In additon to having a good reputation, they also seem like a great company and have one of the best websites of any gun company out there.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Man that Omni is making me consider selling organs on the black market... anyone know the MSRP on those?

 

[Nightcrawler]

The MSRP on the Omni-Potent is $1265.00. (About what you'd pay for a new, basic Colt SAA.)

The Omni-Potent Six-Shooter

The design of the Omni is a unique and Patented design. The centerline of the shooters hand and the gun barrel are on parallel axis. The Single Action revolver allows the force of the shot to travel through the shooters hand and by recoil turn the pistol upward under force of the cartridge. The Omni is designed so that the force of the cartridge is translated straight back - following the centerline of the gun established by the cylinder pin and barrel axis.

This results in much less muzzle flip so that you can stay on your target. The high spur hammer means that in most two handed shooting, like Cowboy Action Shooting, the hammer is easy to reach. Although not a gun of history, the Omni is a modern classic with the lines of the 19th century.

Omni-Potent Six-Shooterâ„¢ ~ Specifications

Calibers: Barrel Lengths:
.45 Colt 4-¾"
.45 ACP (cylinder) 5-½"
.44 Special 7-½"
.44 WCF
.38 Special
.38 WCF
.32 WCF

Frame Style: Cross-Pin, Special Omni-Potent Frame
Stocks: Two Piece Checkered Walnut
Sights: Sqaure Notch, Blade Front
Finish: Old Armory Bone Caseâ„¢ & Armory Blueâ„¢
Special: Long Flutes Standard on all
Omni-Series guns.
Optional Extras Include: Engraving, Fancy Gold & Nickel Plating, Ivory or Pearl Stocks

(Just to whet Dr. Rob's whistle. Heh. )

 

[one45auto]

Man that Omni is making me consider selling organs on the black market... anyone know the MSRP on those?

LMFAO!!!! Great, you just made me cough up my Diet Rite and now some has gone right up my nose....thanks a lot Doc.


Still, it was freakin' hilarious.