Single Action Revolvers

[Engine49guy]

...If a Ruger, I'd personally hunt down an Old Model Ruger (3-screw) in 357.
Again it's just a personal choice as I like the older action style w/o the transfer bar action. The short bbl version in 357 will do most anything you need it to do in the woods plus will shoot 38's for fun.....

I also like the older (Pre 73?) pre transfer bar actions and as an added bonus they "Click" 4 times like the old Colt SA's spelling out C.O.L.T. instead of the modern two or three click action,
Be aware that there is a safety trade off in that if loaded with 6 rounds they can fire if dropped on a loaded chamber,
If you do decide to look for an older Ruger that has not been modified perhaps safer to do the old load one, skip one then load 4 so it carries on an empty chamber.

 

[gen3guy]

My single action revolvers would be the very last guns that I would give up. I love them that much.

Ruger New Model Bearcat - .22lr
Ruger Single Six (vintage 1957) - .22.lr
Ruger New Vaquero - .357
Ruger Old Vaquero - .45 Colt
Ruger Blackhawk - .45 Colt
Ruger Super Blackhawk - .44
Uberti 1873 - .45 Colt

I know there are better defensive weapons, but if I could only have these seven plus my Marlin 1894, I'd be more than happy to make do.

 

[sigp220.45]

Another vote for the Ruger New Vaquero.



Though I did just look at the same configuration in a Beretta Stampede, and it was a really nice gun.

 

[Goldstar225]

If fixed sights will meet your needs the new vaquero should be a good choice. If, like me, you prefer adjustable sights than the nod goes to the flattop. Both are made on the smaller 357 frame. In my case I chose the .45 flattop which will throw a 280 grain SWC at 950 fps and does a fine job on snakes up close with CCI shot shells.

 

[raljr1]

I have an Uberti Cattlemen in 45 colt. Nicely finished, shoots well and is accurate. ..at least it is when my son shoots it, me not so much....I've even fanned it a few cylinders full without incident.

 

[CCantu357]

Thanks for all the replies. While I am mostly a .357 guy, I really like the current .44 Special Flat Top Blackhawks, as some have mentioned. I hope I am correct in assuming they are using the old Colt-sized Flat Top frame of old. I did not realize they were sort of new - I always figured Ruger offered the BH in .44 Special. And those .44 Special Ruger Bisley Models also appeal to me, they seem like they would be the nearest thing to getting that Elmer Keith #5 revolver.

 

[Waveform]

One more plug for Ruger but specifically the Lipsey's flat top convertible in 357/9MM with a 4 5/8" barrel. I bought one mostly for the 9MM option - cheap, plentiful ammo available everywhere. The smaller flat top frame is perfect for the job.

 

[Sixgun100]

Ruger Vaquero Montado

Check out the Ruger Vaquero Montado Edition. It is available in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt. Compact and powerful. Thanks again, Waveform!

 

[BearBio]

I am a SA man. All kinds. You don't say whether you reload (or, else I missed it==still working on my morning coffee). You also don't say if you are looking for something "historical" or not. You live down South, so bear protection is not likely but do you (or do you plan to?) go up North?

Anything 357 and up should provide enough "oomph" for protection (except maybe for big bush hogs-I've seen it fail on California feral hogs with a large percentage of "Russian" blood).

Your options (Caliber-wise) are 38/357, 44 spl, 44 mag. 38-30 and 44-40 (if you can find them), 45 Colt and 454 (and other beasts). I have guns in all those calibers and a variety of configurations. Historically, my favorites are 41 long Colt and 45 Colt in Colt SA's and Colt Bisleys. Colt Bisleys are a totally different animal from Ruger "Bisleys". Colts are now pretty much delegated to collector status and you seem to dismiss them from consideration, anyway.

The "clones" are nice, hold up well and many Colt parts are available. Metal seems softer. I have had good luck with Uberti's under several different names.

Now, to Rugers. The "rhinoceros" of SA hand guns. Built like tanks, especially the Old Models. Unconverted Blackhawks are five shots. I carried a 45 Colt Blackhawk all the time I was in grad school and guiding on wild hogs and for a few years up here in "Grizzly Country". Now I have a custom SBH by Reeder in 454. One of my favorites is an OM Blackhawk in 44 mag (an original flat-top-NOT a SBH). BTW, the older Rugers appear to be much better quality than the newer "Lipsey" models (either from Lipsey or Ruger).

The Vaquero's are nice. I have a custom one being made up in 38-40. But they don't offer nearly as much as do the Blackhawks. Despite imitating a Colt SAA, they aren't one. They are stronger and hold up better but they don't feel the same. In the conversion models (357/9mm, etc), the adjustable sight really comes in handy if you change calibers a lot. BTW: I never have. My 45 acp cylinder has never been fired.

As you may guess, I am not a fan of the Ruger Bisley. I don't find it as comfortable or pointable as the Colt Bisley. The exception is with hot loads. I had a custom Bisley Vaquero in 45 Colt (3.5" barrel) that I carried for big bears and it significantly reduced recoil with "Ruger Only" loads.

 

[CCantu357]

Bear, thanks for that detailed advice. I do not reload right now but it is something I plan to get into. I pretty much have settled on getting a Ruger of some sort. They are affordable, practical, and still some what historical for my taste. With 95% of my trips being in the South, a .357 should do fine. But I didn't realize Ruger brought back the .44 Special Flat Top. If that uses the old Colt sized frame, I may look into it as well.

 

[fat tom]

Not sure if these are still being made,but they CAN be found. I have Rugers,Cimarrons,Colts and others,but these guns are by far the closest to the original SAA's in my opinion. Fit and finish are EXCELLENT! The charcoal case coloring is done by Doug Turnbull,arguably the formost expert at restoring old Colts,and the action is tuned at the factory to a degree that puts Colt in second place,again imo. They are a little pricey for a "replica",but worth it to me. YMMV. This one is in .45 Colt,but I also have a shooter in .357 Magnum that is superb.



f.t.

 

[Otreb]

I have old and new model Rugers, the NM Bisley Flattop is a sweet revolver.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Not sure if these are still being made,but they CAN be found. I have Rugers,Cimarrons,Colts and others,but these guns are by far the closest to the original SAA's in my opinion. Fit and finish are EXCELLENT! The charcoal case coloring is done by Doug Turnbull,arguably the formost expert at restoring old Colts,and the action is tuned at the factory to a degree that puts Colt in second place,again imo. They are a little pricey for a "replica",but worth it to me. YMMV. This one is in .45 Colt,but I also have a shooter in .357 Magnum that is superb.



f.t.

I have a matched pair of the AWA's in .357 with 4.75" barrels that came to me in a trade about 3 years ago. Both in excellent condition, actions tuned, and sights regulated for 25 yards with .38 Special ammo.

Not only are the AWA's excellent shooters, they are an almost perfect duplicate of the 2nd Generation Colt SAA's. I have tested parts (cylinders with bushings included) in two original Colts and they are drop-in perfect fits.

The way I traded into these I have less than $600 in the pair. Have been using them for display and advertising photos with some of my western holster rigs.

Colt sued AWA several years ago and forced them to make it more plain in their advertising and packaging that these are not genuine Colts. Last I checked AWA is still in business, and in addition to the leaf spring original design they were offering a coil spring version as well, along with copies of the Colt Lightning rifles. All Italian parts assembled and fitted in the US, with color case hardening by Turnbull, as mentioned.

 

[[email protected]]

I really like my Stainless Uberti El Patron.

 

[fat tom]

I have a matched pair of the AWA's in .357 with 4.75" barrels that came to me in a trade about 3 years ago.

The way I traded into these I have less than $600 in the pair.

That's an unreal bargain! Are your guns "Peacekeepers" or "Longhorns"? I have more than that in each of mine!
f.t.

 

[damienph]

A 4 5/8" Super is not that much bigger than a Blackhawk, and .44 mag is a great woods cartridge.

 

[Hellraiser]

I really like my Stainless Uberti El Patron.

Eric.... didn't even know Uberti had a stainless... that's one fine-lookin' pistola. I would like to buy one like it... if I can find one. Thanks for postin'!

BTW... [email protected]... do you have an email address? (joshin')

 

[ISCS Yoda]

My Ruger New Vaquero allows me to safely carry six rounds. Unless I'm mistaken, the only other western style SA revolver with a transfer bar is the Beretta Stampede. Maybe that has changed over the years.

That was the case last time I looked but I believe it has changed. (The Beretta Stampede was very nice; I liked my Vaqueros better but maybe because I was used to them.) If they still make them the Pietta SAA replica has a transfer bar and is half the price of a Colt; same for the Uberti "Horseman" I think it's called. These guns come and go, mostly cowboy action shooters use them, so they might not be easy to find. I see from the above there are others, as well.

 

[Xfuzz]

All good info especially on the AWA's.
However, you will still likely spend $500+
unless you score a nice used one.
Save your Pesos and shop around for a Colt.
They will hold their value.

This was a GB find. The seller had his listing title
somewhat vague and just a stock photo of a 45 colt.
It never drew a bid I took a chance and bid in the
last few hour and got it.

 

[Hellraiser]

Well... blind hog.. errr... I mean, Xfuzz... you just happened to find an acorn. Just like me....

I stole these consec serial numbered Frontier Six Shooters... it was just obscene. Hate it when I do that.... (not)...

Pic 1.... them boxes...

Pic 2.... the "Acid-etched" barrels... just like the originals back when they was introduced... in 1879...

Pic 3... them lovelies sittin' on their boxes....