Does anyone have any experience with the durability of the newer Uberti SAA clones (Taylor, in this case) in .45LC? I am impressed with the finish, but not so sure about the durability even with standard loads. I have a Ruger old model Vaquaro, and do not care for the look, though they are stout. Thank you for any information.
Uberti SAA
- Thread starter pmhayden
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Fishinfool
Member
I have owned several Uberti SA clones. I think they are generally well made and finished. Not as strong or as durable as the Rugers. They work well as long as you stick to standard pressure loads. Problem areas usually center around the small leaf springs used in areas such as the locking bolt. Not fragile, but not as durable as the coil springs used in the Rugers. Keeping a spare spring set is cheap insurance. Those I have owned or shot have been well timed and accurate. Quality of finish depends on who the importer is, and what they specify.
Larry
Larry
Erich
Member
I had a Cimarron-imported Uberti convertible .45 C/ACP a few years back, and it was a nice revolver (with a pretty finish).
It was perfectly durable with even mid-level loadings. But it's a SAA . . . it's not a particularly strong platform for hotrodding the .45 Colt.
To answer your second Q, I'd say no. In fact, I'd say that the .44 Spl's tiny bit of decreased diameter gives you notably more security in your warming up your handloads in this sort of gun (not that you're going to do so, or that you should).
FWIW, I happily handload .45 Colt, .45 Cowboy, .45 AR and .45 ACP, and I shoot them all from revolvers. I have no interest in changing over to the .429 bores, but if I'd started out down the .44 Spl/Mag path instead, I'd see no reason to start with the .45s.
And, FWIW, the .45 single-action I carry on my hikes - not really fatter than a SAA - is the New Vaquero.
It was perfectly durable with even mid-level loadings. But it's a SAA . . . it's not a particularly strong platform for hotrodding the .45 Colt.
To answer your second Q, I'd say no. In fact, I'd say that the .44 Spl's tiny bit of decreased diameter gives you notably more security in your warming up your handloads in this sort of gun (not that you're going to do so, or that you should).
FWIW, I happily handload .45 Colt, .45 Cowboy, .45 AR and .45 ACP, and I shoot them all from revolvers. I have no interest in changing over to the .429 bores, but if I'd started out down the .44 Spl/Mag path instead, I'd see no reason to start with the .45s.
And, FWIW, the .45 single-action I carry on my hikes - not really fatter than a SAA - is the New Vaquero.
Texas Star
US Veteran
No experience with Uberti's, but if limited to factory ammo, I'd definitely select the.45 Colt. Elmer Keith made the same choice before the .44 Magnum appeared.
And he wasn't choosing a gun for cowboy shooting matches, either. His concern was real world use.
And he wasn't choosing a gun for cowboy shooting matches, either. His concern was real world use.
Nothing wrong with the 44 but IMO, when it comes to any SAA, the 45 colt is the obvious choice unless you have something specific in mind.
I have an Uberti cattleman. No frills model but decent gun for the money.
I have an Uberti cattleman. No frills model but decent gun for the money.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Can't compare the Colt SAA design to the Ruger. The Colt is almost 150 years old and is simply not as strong.
But that's not to say the SAA is particularly weak or fragile. You should have no trouble with one under normal circumstances with proper loads.
The Italian clones are pretty much equal to the original Colt. Whatever goes for the former holds for the latter.
IMO the 45 Colt is the classic SAA caliber. I have an Italian clone in this caliber. I also have a genuine Colt...in 44 Special. As long as the first number is a 4 you're cool.
But that's not to say the SAA is particularly weak or fragile. You should have no trouble with one under normal circumstances with proper loads.
The Italian clones are pretty much equal to the original Colt. Whatever goes for the former holds for the latter.
IMO the 45 Colt is the classic SAA caliber. I have an Italian clone in this caliber. I also have a genuine Colt...in 44 Special. As long as the first number is a 4 you're cool.
Fishinfool
Member
Since you are a reloader, I would choose a 44 spl. The extra "meat" between chambers allows for a little hotter loading than a 45c incase you need a little extra oomph for your trail walks. Elmer found that out pretty quick, that's why he switched to the 44 spl., after blowing up a few 45c's. Another advantage is being able to use your 44 spl. loads in a 44 mag. as comfortable target loads.
I often carry this USFA 44 spl. / 44-40 convertible SA for tooling around the state forests in PA. A 240 grain cast SWC at 850 - 900 fps. works well for most uses, and is comfortable to shoot.
Larry
I often carry this USFA 44 spl. / 44-40 convertible SA for tooling around the state forests in PA. A 240 grain cast SWC at 850 - 900 fps. works well for most uses, and is comfortable to shoot.
Larry
Attachments
Similar threads
