I am looking to get a SA 45lc . I thought I was going to get a Blackhawk until I started looking at the Uberti Cattleman, especially in nickle finish. I probably wouldn't load or shoot Ruger loads, so that is not an issue. But what is the quality between these two? Or any other advice you might share.
What about a Uberti Cattleman?
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jmortimer
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The Uberti is a good gun and worth the money. It is a "five shooter" and the Ruger can safely carry six. It can handle standard pressure aka 14 k psi loads which is enough to do just about anything. Why not get a stainless "New" Vaquero which is a better comparison. Then you could go up to 20 k psi and get a better over all gun. In the end the Urberti is a fine gun and worth owning if you want a "Colt SA Clone" which the Ruger is not.
Red Cent
Member
I agree with JMortimer.
The Vaquero is like a tank, old and new model. Does not have four clicks. Not even a half cock.
The Blackhawk is a Vaquero with adjustable sights. The Blackhawk and the Vaquero is much easier to slick up, usually requiring the change of the hammer spring only.
If you have the ability to change out these springs, it will make a significant difference in operation.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26189/Product/_176_RUGER_SINGLE_ACTION_SPRING_KIT
Bottom line:
Want the sights get a Blackhawk.
or get the Vaquero but do the kit change.
The Vaquero is like a tank, old and new model. Does not have four clicks. Not even a half cock.
The Blackhawk is a Vaquero with adjustable sights. The Blackhawk and the Vaquero is much easier to slick up, usually requiring the change of the hammer spring only.
If you have the ability to change out these springs, it will make a significant difference in operation.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26189/Product/_176_RUGER_SINGLE_ACTION_SPRING_KIT
Bottom line:
Want the sights get a Blackhawk.
or get the Vaquero but do the kit change.
snooperman
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Uberti guns are well made but for the money...
I would take the Ruger single action guns. I have a blackhawk that has been with me on many hunts and it is as good as the day I bought it 45 years ago, except the finish is worn from being in my Holster while on my horse or mule. My brother has the new Vaquero and I like it too. They are a fine gun for the money, if you do not need adjustable sights.
I would take the Ruger single action guns. I have a blackhawk that has been with me on many hunts and it is as good as the day I bought it 45 years ago, except the finish is worn from being in my Holster while on my horse or mule. My brother has the new Vaquero and I like it too. They are a fine gun for the money, if you do not need adjustable sights.
Magnumite
Member
The Uberti a good gun. I had one once. My only beef are the sights. Too thin and round up front for precision shooting. Fun to handle and shoot.
I own & shoot both a Ruger Blackhawk and a Uberti Cattleman.
I'm seriously considering replacing the Uberti with a Ruger (Bisley) Vaquero , because although it's beautifully finished the Uberti :
- is made of very soft steel
- springs break easily (especially trigger return spring)
- cylinder chambers are grossly oversized & uneven (some .455, some even larger)t making handloading for it very frustrating
- bore is very rough
I'm seriously considering replacing the Uberti with a Ruger (Bisley) Vaquero , because although it's beautifully finished the Uberti :
- is made of very soft steel
- springs break easily (especially trigger return spring)
- cylinder chambers are grossly oversized & uneven (some .455, some even larger)t making handloading for it very frustrating
- bore is very rough
RonBernert
Member
I'm going to beat a dead horse here..
I shot the Uberti and loved it! I have a favorite gun shop, asked them to order me one and priced a Ruger Vaquero in gloss stainless... Chewed on the extra bucks for about 5 minutes and ordered the Ruger.. The reasoning was that I have been very satisfied with every Ruger I have ever owned... Man! PRETTY GUN! TANK!! LOVE IT!!! While the Uberti and most all other Colt SA clones use the same (style) lockwork, the Ruger is different. I went to pick it up and ran into 2 gun shop regulars who, on the spot, ordered one for themselves!! While the Uberti is a FINE gun, the Ruger is an excellent choice and well worth the money!
I shot the Uberti and loved it! I have a favorite gun shop, asked them to order me one and priced a Ruger Vaquero in gloss stainless... Chewed on the extra bucks for about 5 minutes and ordered the Ruger.. The reasoning was that I have been very satisfied with every Ruger I have ever owned... Man! PRETTY GUN! TANK!! LOVE IT!!! While the Uberti and most all other Colt SA clones use the same (style) lockwork, the Ruger is different. I went to pick it up and ran into 2 gun shop regulars who, on the spot, ordered one for themselves!! While the Uberti is a FINE gun, the Ruger is an excellent choice and well worth the money!
GoWolfpack
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I've always loved flogging deceased equines.
The Uberti Cattleman and the Ruger Blackhawk are really apples and oranges.
The Uberti is a Colt clone. The Blackhawk is a sort of Colt styled SA, but that's really where the similarities end. They have different frames and internals and sights.
I bought an Uberti because I wanted a period-correct colt clone. I'm scheming to get an old model Vaquero because I want another gun to dry fire, quick draw, and really shoot. I would love to have a blackhawk to hunt with. Maybe one day after the 500 magnum.
The Uberti Cattleman and the Ruger Blackhawk are really apples and oranges.
The Uberti is a Colt clone. The Blackhawk is a sort of Colt styled SA, but that's really where the similarities end. They have different frames and internals and sights.
I bought an Uberti because I wanted a period-correct colt clone. I'm scheming to get an old model Vaquero because I want another gun to dry fire, quick draw, and really shoot. I would love to have a blackhawk to hunt with. Maybe one day after the 500 magnum.
Red Cent
Member
GoWolfPack,
you would have to address the 3-screw Blackhawk separately. The 3-screw indexes, cocks (four clicks), locks up, lines up for reloading...............
There are some differences, like a coil hammer spring and a coil spring for the hand, but they are basically the same in mechanics. The The transfer bar (NOT!) is another topic.
you would have to address the 3-screw Blackhawk separately. The 3-screw indexes, cocks (four clicks), locks up, lines up for reloading...............
There are some differences, like a coil hammer spring and a coil spring for the hand, but they are basically the same in mechanics. The The transfer bar (NOT!) is another topic.
RonBernert
Member
I am going to buy a Blackhawk as one of my next guns.. I am REALLY leaning towards picking up a few black powder revolvers... There's a .44 whatsamahoozit at a local gunshop, under a cash register, hidden from view for $139.00.... I just gotta have it! There is also a used .36? there for $90.00 that I must buy with it.... Black powder is new to me, just shot one recently... I gotta say that it was really satisfying to shoot! Uberti makes black powder also, and so I'm sure I'll end up with a few of them..... I am told that the brand is one of the top-of-the-line in black powder cowboy guns- is that right?
GoWolfpack
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Excuse me while I insert my inexpert advice.
For true-to-history reproductions, Uberti is tough to beat.
For cap and ball pistol shooting, I'm told the very pinnacle is the Ruger Old Army. There is a blackpowder subforum that would be more helpful with that particular question.
For true-to-history reproductions, Uberti is tough to beat.
For cap and ball pistol shooting, I'm told the very pinnacle is the Ruger Old Army. There is a blackpowder subforum that would be more helpful with that particular question.
Sniper X
Member
I had a Uberti in .45 and loved it. Way beefy built, and a great shooter. It was a good one though, some aren't. Bought it cheap too, for $150.00. It was a grat gun and was the Cattleman that was sort of a parkerized one with a brass grip frame.
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MachIVshooter
Member
Well, it seems the decision has been made. I'll just add this:
Handle both of them (if you can) before you buy. The Uberti has a very different feel than the blackhawk, and even the new Vaquero. It is a true Colt SAA copy. Someone mentioned soft steel above, that is not true. The construction is fine, and they can handle warm-ish loads no problem.
The Rugers are good guns, I've owned them. Still have a Single-Six .32 mag. But for my money, I'll take the more traditional design and classier looks of the Uberti. Especially the fire-blued and color case hardened models. Very pretty.
Handle both of them (if you can) before you buy. The Uberti has a very different feel than the blackhawk, and even the new Vaquero. It is a true Colt SAA copy. Someone mentioned soft steel above, that is not true. The construction is fine, and they can handle warm-ish loads no problem.
The Rugers are good guns, I've owned them. Still have a Single-Six .32 mag. But for my money, I'll take the more traditional design and classier looks of the Uberti. Especially the fire-blued and color case hardened models. Very pretty.
goodtime
Member
If you get the blackhawk, you might consider the convertible -- for about $50 extra, you get a .45acp cylinder, too.
btw, I have a few of each and love 'em both. Can have only one? . . . Ruger.
btw, I have a few of each and love 'em both. Can have only one? . . . Ruger.
RonBernert
Member
MachIV, there is no doubt that the Uberti is one of the best case-hardened looking guns out there!! The colors they get from the hardening process is amazing! GoWolfPack confirmed what I had heard from another Black Powder shooter, that they are very historically accurate.. But I have heard that you can get a good one and a "better" one, depending on the quality control that day.. But they are all fine looking and firing guns.. Perfectly acceptable from a country that enjoys a bottle of wine for lunch!!
The_Shootist
Member
Ok
Well I have my 9's/.38's/.357's/Mak/.45's etc so I have a decent choice for CHL duty.
For my next purchase I'm pretty much settled on a SA something-or-other in .45LC. I'm leaning toward a Blackhawk simply because everyone says they're the sturdiest single-actions out there (I own a SP 101 so I can buy that). That they can safely take hot "Ruger only" loads.
But really, if used primarily as a range gun or for occasional walks in the woods north of Conroe (where 2-legged varmints or maybe a hog might be spotted - I mean its unlikely a grizzily bear is gonna be breaking into my truck in Richmond some night) how much utility is there to be gained from the Blackhawk ?
Especially since the Cattleman/Outlaw/Police/Conversions are REAL nice looking! Although it does look like the Blackhawk in 4" config vs similiar Uberti would be easier to pack.
Well I have my 9's/.38's/.357's/Mak/.45's etc so I have a decent choice for CHL duty.
For my next purchase I'm pretty much settled on a SA something-or-other in .45LC. I'm leaning toward a Blackhawk simply because everyone says they're the sturdiest single-actions out there (I own a SP 101 so I can buy that). That they can safely take hot "Ruger only" loads.
But really, if used primarily as a range gun or for occasional walks in the woods north of Conroe (where 2-legged varmints or maybe a hog might be spotted - I mean its unlikely a grizzily bear is gonna be breaking into my truck in Richmond some night) how much utility is there to be gained from the Blackhawk ?
Especially since the Cattleman/Outlaw/Police/Conversions are REAL nice looking!
Although it does look like the Blackhawk in 4" config vs similiar Uberti would be easier to pack.Red Cent
Member
In the early 2000s, the Uberti pistol, along with Pietta and others, were notorious for having certain parts not being case hardened. The hand was probably the worst offender. The sear was another.
I competed in Cowboy for about seven years and traveled extensively. The first generation Vaquero was the most popular revolver. Again, a tank, easy to tune, and relatively cheap. 10% larger overall than a Colt and its clones. The new model Vaquero is approximately the same size as a Colt. The early Blackhawks were Colt sized and the second generation Blackhawks are of the larger size. The new model Blackhawks are back to Colt size.
The following is an educated observation and not meant in any derogatory manner.
A bunch of SASS members bought the Italian clones and, eventually, gravitated to Rugers or Colts. They would not hold up. They were relatively inexpesive evidenced by the person above buying a Uberti for $150.00. Cabelas used to carry this revolver for less than $200.00. The revolver was intentional in that the finish was sprayed (literally) matte black and had brass grip frame.
I cannot speak to the metallurgy of the Italian clones of today. They may be much better.
I would add that the SASS game requires a lot of rounds annually but, in comparison, all other pistols were shot a lot.
I have a pair of 3 screws that started Cowboy over ten years ago. Originally owned and shot by an imminent gunsmith (Cody Conagher) and also owned by a local top shooter amd a gunsmith (Lone Dude) , these revolvers have thousands of rounds ran through them. I shot them for over six years and the only thing I replaced was one trigger return spring.
Biased? Only by experience.
Buy the best you can afford. Works out better in the long run.
I competed in Cowboy for about seven years and traveled extensively. The first generation Vaquero was the most popular revolver. Again, a tank, easy to tune, and relatively cheap. 10% larger overall than a Colt and its clones. The new model Vaquero is approximately the same size as a Colt. The early Blackhawks were Colt sized and the second generation Blackhawks are of the larger size. The new model Blackhawks are back to Colt size.
The following is an educated observation and not meant in any derogatory manner.
A bunch of SASS members bought the Italian clones and, eventually, gravitated to Rugers or Colts. They would not hold up. They were relatively inexpesive evidenced by the person above buying a Uberti for $150.00. Cabelas used to carry this revolver for less than $200.00. The revolver was intentional in that the finish was sprayed (literally) matte black and had brass grip frame.
I cannot speak to the metallurgy of the Italian clones of today. They may be much better.
I would add that the SASS game requires a lot of rounds annually but, in comparison, all other pistols were shot a lot.
I have a pair of 3 screws that started Cowboy over ten years ago. Originally owned and shot by an imminent gunsmith (Cody Conagher) and also owned by a local top shooter amd a gunsmith (Lone Dude) , these revolvers have thousands of rounds ran through them. I shot them for over six years and the only thing I replaced was one trigger return spring.
Biased? Only by experience.
Buy the best you can afford. Works out better in the long run.
MachIVshooter
Member
In the $500-ish price range, that's true. But they don't compete with the Feedom Ams guns for quality and strength. However, those come at a much higher ($1,500 and up) price point.
None, if you don't intend to shoot the .44 mag level loads. Like I said, you can warm 'em up a bit in the modern Ubertis.
The standard cattleman's are available in 4-3/4. You can get the 3-1/2" or 4" barrel on a bird's head model
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