Single Action Revolvers?

[Great Equalizer]

First let me say hello to everyone. I'm new here, this is my first post, I'm not new to shooting, but I'm new to sport shooting. My question is: how do I choose a good Single Action Revolver? I'm not looking to compete in CAS or anything, but I do want a reputable weapon, not one that brings laughter and whispers at the sight of her, definitely a cowboy style SAR probably a .45. Main use will be protection in the home, from wife and others , and protection when outdoors. I see so many and don't know what to choose. The price range I would like to stay in is $400 - $600. There's Uberti, Cimarron, Taylor's & Co., the Ruger Vaquero, and the Beretta Stampede to name a few that I've seen. Any or all would be great. Can some give some incite please? Thanks!

[Rekrab]

I was fondling a few at Fowler's just the other day, really like the heft and feel of the Rugers. Hated the Beretta. I believe they had a .44 50th Anniversary Blackhawk for $515.

They also carry Uberti and Cimarron. But only buy from them if you don't mind paying more than you would elsewhere...

[1JimMarch]

First, see if you can answer four questions:

1) Do you need 44Magnum-class power, or can you get by with either the 357Magnum (up to 800 ft/lbs energy) or one of the moderate-speed big-bores like the 45LC or 44Special (around 500-550ft/lbs energy)?

2) Do you want it to have an internal drop-safety or not? In other words, a real 1873 Colt SAA and many of the modern clones of same lack an internal safety: figure anything by Colt, USFA, Uberti, AWA and others will fit in this category. This means you have to take extra care, and when loading you load one, skip one, load four. That puts the hammer under the empty sixth chamber - also known as "five beans in the wheel". That's how Wyatt Earp and all those other guys back then did it...unless they KNEW trouble was coming and loaded the sixth . Rugers, Berettas, the Freedom Arms '97 series and Taurus' "Gaucho" have internal, modern safeties that prevent it going boom unless the trigger is deliberately pressed - they're as safe to carry six-up as any modern DA revolver. Which way to you want to go?

3) Do you want adjustable sights or fixed? Adjustable isn't as "period correct" but if you mess around with a lot of different loads, pretty damned handy.

4) Price range?

Based on that, we can guide you further.

[Miltiades]

Ruger single actions

I've had experience with Ruger single action revolvers, and would recommend them highly. I have a Blackhawk .357 magnum and a Vaquero .44 magnum. These guns are very solid and well made, and have never given me any problems.

[1siktkt]

Out of the makers you have listed I would take a Ruger first, Uberti/Cimarron next. Ruger recently (few years ago) changed the frame size of the Vaquero to more feel more like a Colt SAA. If you want to use this in CAS then you need to be sure whatever gun you decide on fits into their rules (sights, caliber, etc.) .45lc is a great round that can run from "powderpuff" loads to "hot loads" that can reach close to .44 mag power. I have a Bisley Vaquero and love it. I would get the Ruger old style frame because I like the extra weight of it but the new style frame is good and feels a lot like a colt

[TheBundo]

Ruger first. Strong enough for very heavy loads

[B Strong]

First let me say hello to everyone. I'm new here, this is my first post, I'm not new to shooting, but I'm new to sport shooting. My question is: how do I choose a good Single Action Revolver? I'm not looking to compete in CAS or anything, but I do want a reputable weapon, not one that brings laughter and whispers at the sight of her, definitely a cowboy style SAR probably a .45. Main use will be protection in the home, from wife and others , and protection when outdoors. I see so many and don't know what to choose. The price range I would like to stay in is $400 - $600. There's Uberti, Cimarron, Taylor's & Co., the Ruger Vaquero, and the Beretta Stampede to name a few that I've seen. Any or all would be great. Can some give some incite please? Thanks!

For recreational/HD use, I'd go with a Ruger Blackhawk convertible in .45 Colt..45 ACP.

Check some out and choose the barrel length that feels best to you.

Rugers are plenty strong, you can use the Buffalo Bore heavy loadings in .45 Colt or roll your own if you want to get into reloading, or you can use simple 230 grain ball .45 ACP loads for plinking.

[dfletcher]

First let me say hello to everyone. I'm new here, this is my first post, I'm not new to shooting, but I'm new to sport shooting. My question is: how do I choose a good Single Action Revolver? I'm not looking to compete in CAS or anything, but I do want a reputable weapon, not one that brings laughter and whispers at the sight of her, definitely a cowboy style SAR probably a .45. Main use will be protection in the home, from wife and others , and protection when outdoors. I see so many and don't know what to choose. The price range I would like to stay in is $400 - $600. There's Uberti, Cimarron, Taylor's & Co., the Ruger Vaquero, and the Beretta Stampede to name a few that I've seen. Any or all would be great. Can some give some incite please? Thanks!

Uberti makes SA revolvers under a variety of names and for other gun companies and I wouldn't be surprised if they made all of the above, with the exception of Ruger. IIRC, they are owned by Beretta so that Stampede probably is made by Uberti. In manufacturing for other companies I think Uberti and the gun company decide on features and details like fit & finish and overall quality - then they start production. From what I've heard Cimarron & Taylor are very good.

I think the first decision is do you go with a conventional looking SA revolver and if so, I'd chose one with the original Colt internals a case hardened frame and blued cylinder/barrel. If you go with the modern style internals then that speaks to getting a new style Ruger Blackhawk with adjustable sights, blued or nickel or stainless finish.

I really can't develop a liking for the Vaquero. It's a great gun I know, but old style looks and a transfer bar action just don't work for me. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter and it's a great gun, but I bought it for hunting carry and not for its looks or to get that SA feel. I have a Colt SAA and no doubt it's nice looking and authentic, but I'm not going to run around the woods with the darn thing and beat the heck out of it.

USFA makes old style SA revolvers (made in USA) and from what I've seen and heard they are very, very good.

[jben]

I have a Ruger New Vaquero in .45 Colt. It's a great gun.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind there is a difference between the "old" Vaquero and the New Vaquero when it comes to reloading. The hot load data you'll find in reloading manuals that are specifically for Ruger Vaquero are for the "old" version. While still a very strong gun, the New Vaquero is a scaled down frame and will not be safe with the super hot loads people have worked up for the "old" Vaquero .45 colt.

[john323]

Single Action Revolvers?

Check out the Firingpin in Temple City. 626-444-2990 He has ALOT of SA cowboy guns. Tell Chuck I sent you. John

[goathead]

Ruger first. Strong enough for very heavy loads

1++ think the ruger the way to go on saa

i had issues with the autos

[slvrbulit12]

I have the USFA Rodeo in 45 Colt, with the 4 3/4 " barrel and love it. Built like a colt with the firing pin on the hammer and the same four clicks in the action and they are in your price range. If you would like to shoot one PM me and we could meet here in San Diego. I have two of them and may sell one.

The Rugers are also built well and would be another good option.

[Electric Factory]

There are essentially two schools of thought when it comes to single action revolvers;

- Authentic/ Period Correct- As others have pointed out, Uberti is the name. Though there are several importers most of the guns are manufactured at the Uberti factory in Italy. In the c. 1800's catagory US Firearms Co/ USFA owns the ground in my opinion. VERY high quality shootin' irons, excellently finished and point of aim shooters from the factory. Most popular calibers 45LC, 44-40, 44 spcl, 38 spcl

-Modern- Again as others have already pointed out Ruger is pretty much 'go-to' here. They make strong, heavy steel frames designed to shoot modern ammo of all types, from .22 to 44Mag. If you want target sights, if you want to shoot heavy hunting loads, if you anticipate rough treatment for your revolver most would agree that Ruger is the way to go

Here's my USFA Single Action in 45LC

[SBOldMan]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk .44 MAG...love it!

+1 for Ruger

[Fjold]

I like single action revolvers since they are made for lefties. One other thing to consider is barrel length, the 7+" barrels look nice but the 4 1/2" - 5 1/2" are a lot handier to use.