Ultimate Single-Action for CCW

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I'm speculating yardage, but I'd say roughly the same distance as about... 3 golf carts, back to back. If it makes a difference I'm talking about connecting with the bullseye, not m!aking one hole
 
Broke down golf carts are the only thing close enough by my back yard to use as measurement, but we've got neighbors now so I haven't shot out back for a few years -as I said, "speculation"
 
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http://jspublications.net/records/records.html

Cowboy Action World Records

Pistol - 2 hand grip, 10 shots, hands can be touch guns, guns holstered. At beep, draw and fire 10 shots, switching pistols when needed. All shots must be on steel, any size and distance.
Current record: Deuce Stevens, 2.44 seconds
Deuce Stevens, 2.49 seconds. Shot with box stock Rugers.
Lead Dispencer, 3.11

All of these are Single Action Pistols. The web page has links to videos of these records. I personally saw Red Cent shoot a 10 rifle, 10 pistol, 4 shotgun stage in 22.63 seconds this past Saturday and he was third fastest on that stage. Single action pistols can be shot fast and accurately. My SASS Edition New Vaqueros with 4 5/8 in barrels would conceal just a easily as any full size 1911 or Browning Hi Power in a pancake type holster.

Grapevine
 
I own a Ruger Montado .357 Magnum, though I don't use it for CCW. My Montado is a reliable, durable, well-made, and well balanced SA revolver. I've put a couple thousand rounds through it so far, and have dry-fired it countless times, and thus far no problems/failures. Mine shoots about 2" below POA, and the shorter ejection rod makes pushing out spent cases slightly slower. Other than those two minor issues, my Montado is golden. If you're set on carrying a SA revolver, you could do a lot worse than the Montado.

Now if you've got deeper pockets you may wish to consider this beauty...:cool:


http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/USFA-New-Birdshead-Model.asp



nero
 
Gave it my best shot this morning, first time trying to match my old record in probably three years. After about 80 rounds of .38 I couldn't beat 2.89 seconds, but can still land the bullseye at 20 paces every time, thank you very much!

* DISCLAIMER: my original speed record was set on an archery target, I don't compete.

- edit -

* DISCLAIMER #2: it was also set in my family's clan tartan (kilt) so if you do wanna compete, than beat that ;-) hahaha
 
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Seems to me a 43 oz, 10.5" long gun for .38 for CCW wouldn't recoil at all. That's a pretty big gun.

Wouldn't matter much with a birds head grip, and, .38's, still no recoil.

Bird's heads I've held didn't do much for me, since they made up for the advantage of the design by making the grip considerably wider then a standard grip, creating another concealment problem, a fat grip to conceal.

Considering what you are trying to do, I'd probably get a hold of Bob M.

http://bobmunden.com/custom-gunsmithing/

and get his thoughts on the subject.

After talking to him, I'd give this guy a call:

http://www.jrhgunmaker.com/

And ask Jack what he would charge, and what he thinks of the stuff Bob M. does.

I've never had a gun setup for quick shooting, since most of my guns work just fine at the speed I can cock and fire them.

Somewhere in your discussions with them, they might have an idea for something other then the Ruger. I can't help but think if you are going to come up with a .38 special for CCW that there must be a much lighter gun, based on a smaller frame then the Vaquero.
 
Gracias, will do that - as I've said, "open to other ideas" but I just kept coming back to the New Vaquero 9 times out of 10 for everything but the Montado price, though unfortunately I can't really afford to go too much higher despite the desire. June may well be "Home Owner Appreciation Month" in the alarms and surveillance racket, but I'm killing the earnings from an entire sale on this gun most likely. Oh and by the way, this gun will naturally fill other roles beyond SD too of coarse, camping, hiking, varmint and truck gun - it's kind of my last ditch "screw all" piece should the economy never recover...

* sigh *

Oh, to be born a decade too late and a dollar too short - I'll probably never complete my collection at this country's rate of economic decline!
 
clearly you should have started reading this thread further back, but six-gun safety is my main concern and I would like to carry all six in the gun, sir.

Oh, and Prosser - originally I was looking for something a little more along the Bearcat lines of design, though not .22s of coarse! But say, in the Montado vs. either standard length, how does accuracy compare with New Vaqs?
 
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I just shot my Ruger New Vaquero "Sheriff's Model" this afternoon, a 3 3/4" barrel .44 Special. It hits about 4-5 inches high at 25 yards, but is centered, and allowed me to shoot a 2.5x3.5" group at that range. I have the stainless, and the sights are stock; a little hard to align as they are shiney and runded, but I am very pleased with the performance. I cannot think of a bette and more packable CCW single action, AND it holds six safely. Also available in .45 Colt, and possibly .357 (not sure on that one).
 
Thanks for the input, I've held various New Vaqs several times and always notice the same thing - is that front blade just a shade too high for anyone else? I can't imagine NOT needing to file that sucker a good bit. dry firing in the pawn shop I had to aim several degrees downwards to line-up everything just right, what's the deal there? Grandpa's old Peacemaker was filed down as far back as I can recall and I'm no expert w/ any other guns besides his, so what's that then?
 
Sitting here happily with my #0855 Taylor's Schofield .45 colt in a Clamshell holster, bought in a batch of random holsters at a garage sale for $10.

I don't feel undergunned at all, 5 Silver-tip 225 gr HP (NOT +P, but these rounds still kick less than my cowboy action rounds!), Hammer down on an empty chamber. (transfer bar? whats a transfer bar? Mua haha!)

While with practice you can reload a SAA with some speed... I can carry speed loaders. Break the gun, dump the shells and be back in action in a fraction of the time.

As I type this, My M&P is getting new Trijicon night sights put on, So my choice for the temp Concealed carry was either the Schofield... or the wife's 9mm Sigma.

At least I don't lack for a good long coat to keep it out of sight.

+1 for the confidence to carry a Single action revolver Neighbor.
 
For a self defense gun I think its fine. For 38 Special ammo look at the Buffalo Bore. They have a good HP 158 gr lead standard pressure load. Uberti is now making a CCW single action on a smaller frame in 38 Special called "The Old West Defense", IIRC. Round butt with a 3 and a half inch barrel. You would have to carry five in the wheel with that one.

I sometimes use my Flat Top 44 Special as a CCW. Andrews Custom Leather could make you a nice IWB holster.
 
I think the single action still has the record for fastest 1st thump. You know firstest with the mostest!

Not sure on the sight deal might be because they dont know what weight bullet your gonna settle on. And want to leave you plenty?
 
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I must ask, since the distance was "speculated," how was the time determined? Shot timer? Stopwatch? Second hand? One Mississippi, two Mississippi?

And was it one second per shot or for all 5 or 6?

The Cowboy shooters are fun to watch, especially the 2.44 run, but how well would they do if they used decent full power defense ammo?

Which brings up the glaring dismissal of a better caliber/load by the allegedly "serious" OP. Unless, of course, the light loads are all he can handle. In that case, ok, but more practice would be in order.

What loads were used on the dog?

I've carried a single action for defense before, but I dang sure had it loaded with effective ammo.
 
OP has a point. 38 is CHEAP. Plus, in a .357, a 43 oz gun, it isn't going to recoil much at all.

Last time I checked, 45 isn't exactly cheap. The real solution is a Dillon 550, in 45 colt, and, then the 45 Vaquero would be 3 oz lighter, 40 instead of 43 oz.

SDM:

Where did you get that Sheriffs model? Didn't see it on Ruger's website.

By the way, I think the original Colt SA Army is pretty near perfect for carry. Lighter, thinner and smaller then a Ruger, but, it's not stainless, that maybe a good thing, maybe not.
 
I find (though not via personal experience) that in a dark alley during a mugging, stainless is more highly visable than blue - and yea, except for the price of ammo I'd love to carry grandpa's old Colt .45, unfortunately though he was buried in his rig - that was also the gun which killed the dog, probably the fastest I had ever fired it, only missed the first time, but to be fair by the time that last round cycled-in the mutt was already tumbling to the ground. As for your original query, my all-be-it slightly inebriated brother-in-law was timing me off the stop-counter from his wristwatch...
 
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"I find (though not via personal experience) that in a dark alley during a mugging, stainless is more highly visable than blue "

You make an excellent tactical point, and as a retired Officer I just shook my head at the recruits that would choose ever-shine shoes and gun leather, then opt for shinny pins and whistle along with their sidearm. Thank God my son's department has gone to BDU uniforms with cloth badges and nylon rigs. The only light I want to give a suspect is the muzzle flash.:D

LD45
 
I suggest that the OP objectively evaluate his speed skills by using a shot timer. They are more accurate than a slightly inebriated BIL using a wristwatch. Just sayin'.....

A better caliber for a shortbarreled single action carried for defense is .45. Even if stoked with wimpy Cowboy loads. Altho 225 grain Silvertips don't kick very much, either. The gun itself is lighter, making the carrying of it more comfortable over the long haul.

If the heavier .357 is chosen for economy of ammo (since apparently only .38's would be used) then the 158 grain LSWCHP +P is recommended. (but the .357 magnum 125 grain JHP load is preferred)
 
I objectively evaluated the hell out of 'em yesterday at the police range using their wall timer, that's where I came-up w/ the 2.89 seconds to unload on target, but my brother-in-law clocked me even faster years ago, just to clarify...
 
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While I think I might rather use a 45 for the initial thump. Twice as heavy a slug out of a lighter, revolver is mostly just going to slow him down between shots.

That is a fantastic speed, are you thumb slipping the first shot, then fannin, thumb/pinky.
cause with only 2 fans your empty. I think you can shade your old time.

As you have probably figured by now there are a great many people in the world that hold themselves in such high regard, that they are perfectly willing to tell a complete stranger what his abilities are or aren't based on their own limitations.

Quoting a speed time will make you a target every time.:) I don't doubt you friend.
 
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