USFA Rodeos here at last!!

[MCMXI]

Here are a couple of photos (click for larger images) of the USFA Rodeos that I ordered from Jim Finch at Long Hunter. They are BEAUTIFUL revolvers and I can't say enough about the fit and finish ... and not a single scratch, ding or dent to be found ... that's what I call quality work. Here's a list of what Jim does to the USFA revolvers for $595 per revolver (if you buy two).

• Rear sights widened from .108 inch to .140 inch
• Forcing cone cut to 11 degrees
• Comes with a crisp, no creep trigger pull
• Replace factory flat “hand” spring. The frame is drilled and a Ruger style coil spring is installed for reliability
• Factory main spring is replaced with a Lee's Gunslinger flat spring for a smooth, reliable cocking motion while maintaining a quick hammer drop
• Factory flat “trigger/bolt” spring is replaced with a wire spring for added strength
• Hammer is relieved .007 inch on each side through hammer slot to eliminate drag marks. For that special custom look, the hammer is then jeweled (plain finish on request)
• Consecutive serial numbers at no charge

Naturally he includes all of the parts (springs) that he changes when he ships the revolvers out. I bought some elk flats with the intention of making grips for them. This will be my first attempt so hopefully they'll turn out good.

 

[mtngunr]

I told you'd like them...you would have liked them without the tweaking....for the record, they come with an 11deg forcing cone, and Wolff springs....the wire trigger/bolt spring is maybe more reliable (I haven't broken one in a Rodeo in 4yrs of shooting/cycling, but....), the wire spring can get mushy instead of that crisp feel....I TOLD you you'd like them....here's my next ones, some NOS that's been floating around for 4-5yrs....
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=105967214

 

[Zip7]

MAN! I'd be happy with one, and you got TWO

Very nice...

 

[MCMXI]

mtngnr, you were absolutely right about me LOVING these revolvers ... I'm having a hard time putting them down!! As a side note, buying from Long Hunter is sort of a no-brainer since USFA charges $100 for consecutive numbers! You could argue that the extra "tuning" is basically free but I have zero experience with USFA revolvers to say anything intelligent or constructive about whether or not tuning is necessary . I'll certainly take your word that USFA revolvers are excellent out of the box ... Jim basically said that too. I hadn't realized that the forcing cone is cut at 11 degrees at the factory. Perhaps they weren't always that way and that's why Jim has that listed ... no biggie though. At this time, I haven't the heart to put them in vinegar ... that's always an option though but maybe after a few thousand rounds! I bought 12 "snap caps" so that I can practice loading, firing and unloading without damaging the revolvers or scaring the dogs!

I should also thank owlhoot for pointing me in the direction of Long Hunter.

Zip7, thanks ... I needed to get two for CAS.

Here are a couple more photos (click to see larger images) showing the excellent fit/finish.

 

[mtngunr]

MAN! I'd be happy with one, and you got TWO

Very nice...

Actually, I'm going halfsies on the pair with a friend, as this will simply be a back-pocket walk-about blaster, and probably double as a carry-piece....one of them has bruising to finish on the front sight, and I specifically told the seller to ship me that one, as it WILL get vinegarized, anyhow.....was going to order one of their b/cc versions, but hated the idea of messing up such a pretty gun with regular mex carry followed by clunking it down on my bedside table at the end of the day.....that really IS a good deal on the guns that have been tweaked...Jim might run the cutter just to make sure it's 11deg, and cleaning up the throat....certainly won't hurt if he's doing it right....I know some sellers that go below MSRP, but not many....the reason I jumped on the sheriff's model Rodeo is that it was a limited run and might not be repeated....they're making too much money on the fancier ones, and their master distributor is doing lots of fancy limited runs of sheriff's and storekeeper's (w/ejector).....

 

[sm]

Congrats!

Man, the factory ones are Sweet!
These tweaked are Sweeeeeet!

I really really like these, and want one soooo bad!
Just a factory one would do me...

 

[Catherine]

Congrats!

Beautiful.

Catherine = A lady partial to single action revolvers.

 

[BigHink66]

Are these strong like a Ruger Blackhawk?

Do they sell a model with a rear sight?

 

[Coyote3855]

BH66:

USFA single actions are Colt clones. "Ruger only" loads are not recommended. Check these websites for the Long Hunter tuned guns and for the complete USFA line.

No adjustable sights. The rear sight is a groove in the top of the frame.

http://www.usfirearms.com/

http://longhunt.com/

 

[19-3Ben]

What's the deal with this vinegar thing you guys are talking about. Why does one put vinegar on a gun?
Making firearms salad? If so, I have this great balsamic vinegar from italy that I use...

 

[Hawk]

What's the deal with this vinegar thing you guys are talking about.

From his previous thread on the Rodeo finish:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4718010&postcount=48

Balsamic single action? Hmmm. Sounds pretty good.

 

[Hawk]

Do they sell a model with a rear sight?

Yup. T'ain't exactly priced like a Rodeo but they'll take care of you.
http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/flattop.asp

 

[19-3Ben]

From his previous thread on the Rodeo finish:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost....0&postcount=48

Balsamic single action? Hmmm. Sounds pretty good.

Ahh. Thanks for the link. Kinda figured it had something to do with the finish.

I think a single action nicoise salad would be delightful!!!

 

[Trebor]

I hope he has a manufacturer's FFL.

Read the letter from the ATF that's going around the web today. The ATF has decided that that kind of work, unless done to a customer's gun at customer's request, is now "manufacturering" a firearm and requires a manufacturing FFL.

Basically, any business that buys firearms and then modifies or converts them for resale needs to have a manufacturer's FFL.

A gunsmith could still do the work on your gun, at your request, with a gunsmith FFL, but people offering "ready made" work for sale are pretty much out of business.


Btw, sounds like nice guns. I mentioned the new ATF letter because this is just the kind of thing it is going to effect, which really sucks.

 

[Hawk]

The letter in question:
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/081508manufacturing-of-firearms.pdf

I can see this generating a rash for some but no small number of folks in that sort of business are already licensed as manufacturers. Wild West and Reeder and some others are in AFMER '06.

Don't know about Longhunter but if he isn't 07, I'd guess he's about to be. One could still buy Rodeos then forward to Longhunter but that'd be a fair amount more money, time and aggravation.

I note that BATFE says it doesn't address the excise tax but I noticed that the tax was listed prominantly on my Wild West guide gun. Just another complication.