What Single Action to start with?

[fordtrucks]

I am considering adding a single action. Which one and what caliber?

I have a 357 LCR and Henry lever action (and ammo). Don't have any revolver longer than a 2" barrel 2017 Colt Cobra and a 4" Charter Arms pathfinder in 22lr.

Use? Playing around and having fun.

Justification? Maybe hunting white tail deer or hogs if I ever got around to that.

Reloading? Probably not. Maybe in 10-15 years, but not now.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Pretty tough to go wrong with a stainless .357 Blackhawk.​

 

[Mn Fats]

Ruger Blackhawk is the standard. For whitetail I like the Super Blackhawk but since you don't reload I'd recommend a regular Blackhawk in 357/38. Pick up some hot .357's for hunting. Low cost .38's for range time. Barrel length and finish would be your call.

Freedom Arms if you have a big budget.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Hard to go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk.
You have adjustable sights, which are good to have in a hunting revolver.
If you're a minimalist kind of guy, you could go for a .357, or even get a convertible that comes with a 9mm cylinder and be able to shoot 3 different cartridges through it.

If you're not, they're also making a really nice stainless Bisley in .41 magnum. Of course with you not handloading, ammo wouldn't be that plentiful at local stores, but you could always order ammo online.

 

[Barry loyd]

Another vote for a Ruger. They have a transfer bar so you can safely carry six. The Uberti is another popular single action though I have no personal experience with them.

 

[fordtrucks]

Hard to go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk.
You have adjustable sights, which are good to have in a hunting revolver.
If you're a minimalist kind of guy, you could go for a .357, or even get a convertible that comes with a 9mm cylinder and be able to shoot 3 different cartridges through it.

If you're not, they're also making a really nice stainless Bisley in .41 magnum. Of course with you not handloading, ammo wouldn't be that plentiful at local stores, but you could always order ammo online.

is there any accuracy issue with a convertible? Will the 38/357 be as accurate as a standard?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I actually couldn't tell you that.
I know the 9mm is a little smaller in diameter than the .38/.357. If I had to guess, I'd guess the 9mm wouldn't be quite as accurate.
Maybe someone who has one can chime in with some first hand experience.

 

[labnoti]

All .357's will shoot 38's. The convertible comes with a 9mm cylinder. The 9mm, .356" bullets will be a little looser in the barrel but you won't notice the difference unless you're shooting from a bench rest at long range to prove something. The various Blackhawk models can be confusing. Research it to learn the various frame and grip sizes they have been offered with and what other differences they have.

 

[John Joseph]

Hunting with lead is illegal here, but when it was I launched .44 magnums and specials, so put me down in the Super Blackhawk camp.
Prepare to spend over $30 for a box of 50 specials or magnums. That' not much more than for .good 357s so why not go big?
If you'll be punching paper there's not a much easier cartridge to reload than the .44 special and in a heavy long barrel revolvers the .44 is IMHO far more accurate and fun to shoot.
YMMV of course.

 

[MidRoad]

Hmm I'd go Ruger Blackhawk.

Either .357/9mm convertible or 45acp/45 colt convertible. I personally would do the 45. Yeah not as cheap but you can get 45 acp reasonably, and 45 colt can be had from powder puff cowboy loads to wrist thumping "Ruger only 30000 psi " loads.

Just remember if you buy a flattop 45 flat top ,you cannot shoot the "Ruger only " loads or any .45 colt +P's . Only regular pressure .45 colts. You are limited to 23k psi loadings (teir2) ,NOT 30k (teir3). However the large frame Blackhawk convertible can shoot them hot loads.

 

[IlikeSA]

Another vote for the Blackhawk. I have the convertibles in .357/9 and 45 Colt/ACP, and like them both. I find I tend to choose one cylinder and stick to it, however (.357 and 45 Colt for me).

 

[Keith G]

I seriously considered a Ruger Vaquero, and as good as they are, it just felt huge to me. I ended up with a Taylor’s & Co. Drifter in 357 and couldn’t be happier. Less than $500, shoots to POA, can shoot 38 for cheap or 357, and it looks great. If a Ruger feels good in your hand, I don’t really think you can go wrong with them.

 

[adcoch1]

Another vote for the Ruger blackhawk, or if you want to go 44 mag or bigger the super blackhawk. A 357 blackhawk is a pleasure to shoot, and the super blackhawk in 44 mag is just about perfection. But since you aren't loading your own go 357.

 

[Armored farmer]

I would go .45Colt personally.
Bigger holes and less ear splitting.
Ruger is the undisputed king of the SA world, but.......
Uberti makes some darn good SAA clones for around $400 range

 

[Pat Riot]

You cannot go wrong with a Ruger regardless of what cartridge you decide on.
Lifetime warranty.
No questions asked repairs and real quick turnaround IF you ever need to send it in.
I have owned 6 Ruger Vaqueros and 1 Blackhawk and have never had to send one to Ruger for anything.

I cannot say the same for other folks I know that have bought Italian Colt clones.

 

[Tallball]

"Hard to go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk.
You have adjustable sights, which are good to have in a hunting revolver.
If you're a minimalist kind of guy, you could go for a .357, or even get a convertible that comes with a 9mm cylinder and be able to shoot 3 different cartridges through it."

Yep. I agree with Arkansas Paul. I have a bunch of handguns. My Ruger single-actions are my favorite. If you already shoot 357/38, getting a Blackhawk in the caliber you already shoot would make things easy. I also have the 9mm cylinder for mine, and the accuracy is about the same as 357/38, as far as I can tell. I prefer longer barrels. Mine is 6.5", IRRC. I got it used for $299 just a couple of years ago, though it took a while to find one at that price. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Blackhawk used, since they are very durable.

View media item 1994

 

[MaxP]

Ruger most definitely. There are good SAA clones out there as well if that’s the style of revolver you want, but the Ruger is stout, and it has a transfer bar safety system that’s just a good idea. JMHO.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

A .357 revolver with adjustable sights is very versatile. The Ruger Blackhawk is the most common single action in that category.

The “standard” Blackhawk is built on the same cylinder frame as the .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk. Larger than needed for a .357.

I’d recommend the New Model Flattop Blackhawk which is built on a medium sized frame. It comes in .44 Special and .45 Colt as well as .357.

 

[Sarge7402]

I would go .45Colt personally.
Bigger holes and less ear splitting.
Ruger is the undisputed king of the SA world, but.......
View attachment 812981 Uberti makes some darn good SAA clones for around $400 range

I'm wtih Armored here. The 357 is a right fine cartridge, but the recoil is a bit snappy for my tastes. The weighty 45 colt cartridge tends to push rather than snap during recoil making it seem gentlier . The 250 grain lead slug at about 850 FPS will poke right into the boiler room of a white tail or other two legged varmit

 

[MaxP]

I'm wtih Armored here. The 357 is a right fine cartridge, but the recoil is a bit snappy for my tastes. The weighty 45 colt cartridge tends to push rather than snap during recoil making it seem gentlier . The 250 grain lead slug at about 850 FPS will poke right into the boiler room of a white tail or other two legged varmit

Not the way I load the .45 Colt - LOL!

 

[cheygriz]

Ruger Blackhawk, .45 LC/.45ACP convertible with 6 inch barrel and Pachmayr grips

 

[Armored farmer]

Not the way I load the .45 Colt - LOL!

.....and with the Ruger, you can do that too if you want.

 

[Iron Sight]

Im very happy with my Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible. Hogue grips on this revolver are a must do for me.

 

[fordtrucks]

Ruger most definitely. There are good SAA clones out there as well if that’s the style of revolver you want, but the Ruger is stout, and it has a transfer bar safety system that’s just a good idea. JMHO.

I definitely like the transfer bar. Forgot not every gun has that, even now. Thanks.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Tallball, I have that same exact revolver, just not with the 9mm cylinder. I've considered selling it to fund another big bore purchase, but the wife and teenage daughter can shoot it without discomfort, so I keep it around.

Not the way I load the .45 Colt - LOL!

Yeah, not everyone shoots .45 Prasac Super Magnums. lol
But then again, not everyone chases after 2,000 pound animals with a pistola.