SAA clone question

[MEGSDAD]

So, I'm thinking of adding a Single action revolver in 45 Colt to the family. Was originally thinking Blackhawk, but found Uberti. Seems to be a difference in grip frames between the Ruger and the Uberti. Is that correct? Havent had a chance to handle either yet. Just getting an idea as to what's out there.
Thanks

[JacobR]

The Ruger Blackhawk is great single action revolver and not a SAA clone in the sense it deviates greatly from the original Colt Single Action Army design. Uberti makes a great SAA clone. If you want the original look and feel then I'd grab a tuned uberti from Taylor's https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns.html they are really nice and have smooth actions and a great trigger pull.

[IVC]

^^^ This, and Uberti recently moved away from rigid firing pins and proper four clicks to a sort of semi-floating firing pins (they call it a "safety") and barely audible fourth click, so it appears to be a three-click version.

Slightly disappointing, but still very close to the original SAA.

[dfletcher]

So, I'm thinking of adding a Single action revolver in 45 Colt to the family. Was originally thinking Blackhawk, but found Uberti. Seems to be a difference in grip frames between the Ruger and the Uberti. Is that correct? Havent had a chance to handle either yet. Just getting an idea as to what's out there.
Thanks

Uberti makes most of the Colt clone SA revolvers, Pieta manufactures also. They're made to the specs of the importer who brands and sells. This is a very broad overview of decisions to be made, but here goes ….

Ruger uses a transfer bar system - you can carry 6 rounds, but there's no "4 clicks" as the hammer is cocked. Important to some, not to others. The Colt system (and clones) carries the old fashioned clicks. A "safety notch" and a half cock then a full cock. Then one "click" for the cylinder bolt snapping back up. Gun should be carried with 5 rounds, which is why "safety notch" is qualified with quotations.

There's now a 3rd option, becoming more common, and that is a "3 click" version offered by Uberti, that allows for 6 rounds to be safely carried but still carry the appearance (mostly) of a conventional SA revolver. To simplify, the transfer bar is located inside the hammer. To most the gun will look, behave and feel like a "4 clicks" model. To those who are picky about such things the difference is noticeable. The trigger sits farther forward and has a lot of overtravel, both required to necessitate actuating the internal transfer bar. And "3 clicks" (because the "safety notch" is eliminated) isn't quite "4 clicks".

So, pretty much 3 distinct action choices available - transfer bar, 4 click or 3 click.

Next is whether you like blued frames or case hardened. Nearly all the case hardened frames are a chemical application. Not as nice looking but passable I suppose. Compare a USFA, Standard Manufacturing or Colt to a Taylors, Cimarron, etc and you'll see the difference. There's a price difference too.

Best thing to do is hit a gun store, paw over what they have and see what looks and feels right.

[jimmythebrain]

These Single action revolvers are fun to shoot, it really makes you slow down.
There are two 45 Colt loads- the lighter cowboy action loads and the much more robust Ruger only loads.

That big ole' 45 Colt case can hold a lot of powder and push some heavy bullets.

If you get a full thickness top strap Ruger Blackhawk or Freedom Arms Revolver then you can use full loads.

If you go with a Colt or Uberti variety then it limits you to cowboy action loads only.

I have several:
Beretta Stampede that has two cylinders, one in 45 Colt and one in 45 ACP.
& Cimmeron Thunderer (may be spelled wrong) 4 inch barreled birds head handled model wit the 45 ACP/45 Colt cylinders.
& Ruger Blackhawk Bisley convertible 45 ACP/45 Colt

These mostly see light loads. However the Ruger will see some hot rounds.
But there is controversy as to whether the Convertible model is strong enough for the Ruger only loads.

My Uberti Schofield can only handle very light cowboy loads. Otherwise the breaktop action opens up after about 3-4 rounds.

[golfish]

Get this one if funds are available

https://stdgun.com/single-action-revolver-1/

[OCEquestrian]

It's all about the clicks. I own a original colt SSA and a couple of Uberti's and they all are 4 click guns.

[k1dude]

Get this one if funds are available

https://stdgun.com/single-action-revolver-1/

Holy cr*p! Why not just buy a Colt?