Advice on Ruger and Uberti

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RookieGuy

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Hi folks I am wondering what the opinions are between the Ruger vs Uberti single six?
Also a big question is I am partial to the 71/2 inch barrels to me it looks like it may be more balanced and accurate.
I would like to hear some thoughts on the barrel length.

Also I cannot find a Ruger with a 71/2 barrel anywhere in Canada seems like.
Cabelas has the 41/2 inch barrel but the longer ones seem to be in the usa.

I am looking at the uberti at Marstar but can't find the Longer Ruger.
At this point these will be my first 2 handguns and I am hoping someday to get a real colt!
I would really appreciate the help in where to purchase SAA western style guns in Canada as I am looking to get started in the cowboy action genre.
Thank you kindly!
 
I think you're mixing up Pietta and Uberti. Uberti does not make a .22 revolver that I've seen so far and Marstar only sells Pietta.

If you can't find a long barrel Ruger single six, which are the .22 convertible models by the way and not the center fire guns, then you're not looking around very far. Last time I was in Reliable in Vancouver they had a couple of long barrel Single Sixes.

If you're asking for information on Pietta guns from Marstar I can say that I've been so happy with the center fire cowboy action guns I've got that I'd buy a Pietta .22 revolver in a blink if I didn't already have an old 60's vintage Ruger Single Six. Pietta makes a very nice gun for the money.

The choice of Pietta or Uberti over Ruger becomes one of the classic old time Colt action and how it works over the more modern Ruger action with all the modern changes and gate controlled cylinder bolt retraction. There is no doubt that Ruger guns are very good but they aren't everyone's choice. Some of us, like me, go for the Italian guns for their authenticity to the guns of old both internally as well as externally.

As for barrel length some folks prefer the shorter barrels for cowboy action since the shorter guns clear leather with less fuss and flexing of the arm. But the longer barrels are more faithful. From what I've read about all this the short guns were only used by a few folks such as lawmen. The longer barrels were far more common.

For accuracy the longer barrels give the shooter a longer sight baseline. So one can more easily see small sighting errors. From there it's a question of if the shooter can hold the gun more steadily or not. So really the longer barrels aren't automatically more accurate. It depends on the steadiness and eye of the shooter.

Both the short and long barrels balance quite well in the hand. It's more a case of the feel being different more than it is one better than the other. But overall I do like a long barrel for slow paced bullseye shooting while the short barrels on my pair of Piettas are good for easier and faster drawing during cowboy action shooting.
 
I'm a pietta fan..... My .44 mag is a well put together pistol.....but hey, I prety much love all firearms.....
 
This is a Ruger Single Six, about 35 years old, 15,000 rounds down the pipe, and fully capable of producing groups half that size in the hands of a younger man with steadier nerves and better eyes:



In the real world it doesn't get any better than this. Oh sure, you can spend more money on a Colt maybe, or less on a Uberti/Pietta/Etc. ... but the Ruger can't be beat! This one has done some small game jobs I probably shouldn't talk about here, and a metric TON of target work. For awhile my demented half wit father threw it in a metal tool box on his tractor and it rattled around in there with the wrenches and pliers for about half a year...he was having coyote problems and he treated guns about as good as you could expect a kadiddle hopping farmer to I guess...so this one has been through the meat grinder. I have seen revolvers as good as this one, but none better. The gunsmiths know them inside out and can smooth them up sliker n' snot on a door knob.

If you buy the Ruger you will have it for as long as you want it and be able to pass it on to the kids as well.
 
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Thanks so much for the detailed response BCRider!
You are right I did mean Pietta .22 but now that you mentioned it I did some more research and I found the Uberti more classy and beautiful wow so that opens a new door. I was looking at the Uberti 1873 cattleman on a you tube video and it looks awesome. I think I am gonna look for a Canadian site that sells those any advice there?

I also saw that the Uberti does not have the transfer bar. I prefer the classy look but how does it handle?
I may end up getting the Ruger single six with the dual cylinder perhaps and the Uberti cattleman also.
I also wanted to ask, how does 10 vs 6 compare besides the obvious in 4 more rounds. Is it shunned upon in the cowboy action shooting?
Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you!
 
Thanks for the reply also OneLungWonder.

I have to say I am convinced to own a Ruger also I mean I like all SAA revolvers and hope some day to get into the cap and ball stuff also.
Yours looks awesome but I read the older models do not have the transfer bar is that true?
Anyway I was thinking of the ruger single six in stainless steel and not sure if to go with the 22lr/.22mag combo or the single ten.
I dont see any harm in owning a couple of different SAA revolvers so I greatly appreciate all the answers and thanks for sharing you picture and input!
 
Rookie, the 10 shot rimfire is only going to serve you for plinking and target shooting. You can't use the .22 for actual cowboy action matches. The guns for matches need to be at least a .32 caliber and meet a specific power factor. And since .32 is a prohib handgun caliber in Canada realistically you'll be using .357 bore size guns or larger.

On the topic of calibers a lot of folks like using .44-40 or .45 for the sake of authenticity or the feel of using "proper" caliber ammo. But the bigger sizes do come at a cost. A buddy and I reload. My .38Spl and .37Mag casing cowboy action loads with cast 130gn bullets cost me 17 cents per round. My buddy's .45Colt reloads run him 23.5 cents per round. The 6 cents doesn't seem like a lot but over a few thousand rounds blasted downrange it does add up.

Also in my case I was already reloading for my S&W .38Spl revolvers so it made sense for me to keep to that caliber. So keep all that in mind as you choose.

When comparing models for their looks be sure you're comparing apples to apples. Both Uberti and Pietta make guns with less fancy finishes at reduced price levels. So be sure you're looking at guns with similar finishes.

All else being equal my own tastes make me drool over the colour cased main frames with brass grip frame and oil finished wood stocks. Cylinder and barrel in polished blue. All that makes for a very pretty looking gun.

Some folks have posted about wearing out Italian guns from many serious seasons of cowboy action shooting and switched to Ruger. But from what I've seen of mine they shot those guns a LOT. I'm up around something like 5K to 7K each through mine and they are just getting better and better. But for those folks that shoot and practice really seriously to the tune of 5 to 7K per gun per year then it is likely better to go with Ruger.
 
I don't have a .22 single action, but for centrefires I do prefer the Italian ones, though part of that is that I'm not really a peacemaker guy and go for some of the other colt and Remington replicas.

If you are interested in Uberti, have a look at Taylors & Co and Cimarron in the states then talk to Grumpy at Wolverine - he has been very active in getting these brought in, and at better prices than going through IRG. I had him bring me in an open top last spring.
 
BCRider said:
Rookie, the 10 shot rimfire is only going to serve you for plinking and target shooting. You can't use the .22 for actual cowboy action matches. The guns for matches need to be at least a .32 caliber and meet a specific power factor. And since .32 is a prohib handgun caliber in Canada realistically you'll be using .357 bore size guns or larger.

On the topic of calibers a lot of folks like using .44-40 or .45 for the sake of authenticity or the feel of using "proper" caliber ammo. But the bigger sizes do come at a cost. A buddy and I reload. My .38Spl and .37Mag casing cowboy action loads with cast 130gn bullets cost me 17 cents per round. My buddy's .45Colt reloads run him 23.5 cents per round. The 6 cents doesn't seem like a lot but over a few thousand rounds blasted downrange it does add up.

Also in my case I was already reloading for my S&W .38Spl revolvers so it made sense for me to keep to that caliber. So keep all that in mind as you choose.

When comparing models for their looks be sure you're comparing apples to apples. Both Uberti and Pietta make guns with less fancy finishes at reduced price levels. So be sure you're looking at guns with similar finishes.

All else being equal my own tastes make me drool over the colour cased main frames with brass grip frame and oil finished wood stocks. Cylinder and barrel in polished blue. All that makes for a very pretty looking gun.

Some folks have posted about wearing out Italian guns from many serious seasons of cowboy action shooting and switched to Ruger. But from what I've seen of mine they shot those guns a LOT. I'm up around something like 5K to 7K each through mine and they are just getting better and better. But for those folks that shoot and practice really seriously to the tune of 5 to 7K per gun per year then it is likely better to go with Ruger.
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Thanks for the reply once again.
Since I actually know nothing about reloading so I need to learn because I looked at the .38 and .45 lc ammo and they will surely add up.
I think for starters I will stick to the .22 and then upgrade as I am new to the sport and I am with you though the brass frames and walnut stocks looks great polished on the Ubertis.!
It may be a great idea to stick to the single six so that I can get some experience though. How do you find the 6 1/2 to 71/2 inch clearing leather?
 
Mark-II said:
I don't have a .22 single action, but for centrefires I do prefer the Italian ones, though part of that is that I'm not really a peacemaker guy and go for some of the other colt and Remington replicas.

If you are interested in Uberti, have a look at Taylors & Co and Cimarron in the states then talk to Grumpy at Wolverine - he has been very active in getting these brought in, and at better prices than going through IRG. I had him bring me in an open top last spring.
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Thanks for the info MarkII
I am gonna take a look at those sites. I really haven't seen any .22s in 71/2 inch barrels though.
I already sent an email to wolverine but everyone is closed till next week so I will have to wait.
Thanks
 
RookieGuy said:
Thanks for the reply also OneLungWonder.

I have to say I am convinced to own a Ruger also I mean I like all SAA revolvers and hope some day to get into the cap and ball stuff also.
Yours looks awesome but I read the older models do not have the transfer bar is that true?
Anyway I was thinking of the ruger single six in stainless steel and not sure if to go with the 22lr/.22mag combo or the single ten.
I dont see any harm in owning a couple of different SAA revolvers so I greatly appreciate all the answers and thanks for sharing you picture and input!
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Why, you sound like a pro already RG! The very oldest Rugers may not have had transfer bars but mine did. And yes, as a matter of fact, you will need a variety of single actions to truly appreciate them! As something of an expert on duffer pistolcraft and out-house revolverology I would recommend the cap n' ball as the funnest of all the revolvers. I cast my own bullets, and even made my own holster and bowie to match the gun:



Mine is a Uberti and the only reason I went that way was that the black powder geeks on Claude's forum seemed to favour them over the Piettas. (They fought bitterly about that - but that seemed to be the majority consensus at the time). Mine was beautiful to look at and a darned fine shooter to boot. The first thing you do with any Italian repro is pull the percussion nipples off, throw them in the garbage - and order in bronze alloy replacements from Buffalo Arms or Track Of The Wolf. The second thing ya do is get a bullet mold. The fun never stops with percussion guns: you can shoot all afternoon for ten bucks, and if the weather's crappy you can go cast lead, or do your own gun and knife work for them as I did for nice winter projects to keep your hands busy. I love them because on the range they are deadly accurate at reasonable ranges, and they stink to hell and the barrels heat up to hotter n' blazes! It takes some futzing around to get them to shoot but that is also cheap entertainment too.
 
In response to your question on the ease of clearing leather the difference between a 6.5" and 7.5" barrel is not going to be very pronounced. But the difference in handling a 5.5" and 7.5" is very much like night to day. Then the difference from the 5.5 to 4 5/8" is pretty slight once again.

Even if you get a holster for the .22 SAA style you likely won't be drawing the gun fast while on the clock. So barrel length isn't a big deal. For eventually getting into the cowboy action shooting though it WILL matter by then.

I strongly suspect that most of the Ruger convertible Single Sixes get used only for .22LR and the magnum cylinder sits in the bag unloved. But the barrel uses a compromise size bore to suit both ammo. Some have found, depending on ammo used, that the groups obtained with rimfire ammo isn't as tight as the groups COULD be. But some of this depends on how good a shooter you turn out to be.

Then there's the other issue. A Single Six or Single Ten are great guns, don't get me wrong on that. But they come with rather lumpy looking sights to allow for the two types of ammo and other options for sight picture. Meanwhile the Uberti and Pietta come with the more classic style fixed sights. So you dress the notch and blade to suit your ammo of choice and then live with that setting. What you get in return is the traditional classic look to the gun over the modern sights sticking out like a sore thumb according to some folks. So it depends on what you want the gun to look like.

For Uberti dealers I'd contact Ellwood Epps. They seem to stock a pretty fair assortment. And if they don't list what you are after since they are a Uberti dealer they SHOULD be able to get your choice. Or you could go for the 10 shot Pietta from Marstar as an option. Or if you want to ensure total sight picture control opt for a Ruger Single 10 so it's got a properly sized "dedicated" barrel. With the Ruger and the lumpy great sights sticking up I would not worry so much over the barrel length since the sights remove the gun from the traditional looks contest anyway. Any of these three options will serve you well. It just depends on if you're after traditional fixed sight looks or serious training and bullseye work. As a serious training and bullseye gun I'd be all over the idea of the Ruger S10 or even the regular Single Six. But I know that the six shots is all over pretty quickly. So the 10 shooter would likely be a better way to go at this point.
 
I've just ordered my first handgun, and I decided to order it from wolverine. It's a uberti El Patron 45lc. From my understanding, the El patron is a step up from the cattleman because of some trigger fine tuning, and the Taylor is a step above the el patron, because of even more fine tuning. I think the Taylor is also made by Uberti. I found getting a good holster iss a far more challenging task..:)
 
BC rider , could you explain what dress the sights mean,as I'm waiting on a .45LC. And what is the best distance to shoot at ,for a new to handgun guy,with a 45lc?
 
I THINK he means that you file down the blade and twist it a smidge to get a proper point of impact with it.

I am just laughing. When I was a kid, if you didn't have adjustable sights on your pistol you were boring and old school. Today the cool kids are all adamant that fixed sights are the only way to go. All my pistols carry adjustables except for the cap n ball gun...but I figure I will fab up a Patridge type sight with some german silver I got and just use lamp black on them.

All I need is time and a shorter 'honey do' list....:(
 
One Lung Wonder said:
I THINK he means that you file down the blade and twist it a smidge to get a proper point of impact with it.

I am just laughing. When I was a kid, if you didn't have adjustable sights on your pistol you were boring and old school. Today the cool kids are all adamant that fixed sights are the only way to go. All my pistols carry adjustables except for the cap n ball gun...but I figure I will fab up a Patridge type sight with some german silver I got and just use lamp black on them.

All I need is time and a shorter 'honey do' list....:(
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well get rid of one and you'll have lots of the other...:) JK.. BTW
 
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Brian, what OLW said is what I was referring to. Fixed sights ARE adjustable. It just requires a couple of different files to do the adjusting. And going back is a bit harder.

When I sighted in my Pietta guns for CAS I started off leaving the front blade a touch high and used some "Kentucky elevation" :D Over time I worked on my grip and shooting style. Shooting one handed vs two handed makes a fair amount of a difference to the POI so one should be pretty sure about what style they want to use and then sight in.

The final sight adjustment also depends on the bullet weight and fit into the bore. So along with zeroing in on the preferred grip style and one hand vs two hand the shooter needs to zero in on the load they will use and stick to it for ever after... or fixing the sights to allow a new setup.

Once all the decisions were done I ended up shooting one handed "duelist" style and using 3.8gns of Tightgroup or equivalent power load in some other powder with a 130gn LRPFN bullet. I don't dare change much by more than a slight amount or the gun won't shoot to POA anymore.

Front blades are the big key to all this and thankfully they CAN be replaced with new ones if needed.
 
Personally, I like 4.62"barrels on the Ruger as if you are shooting Cowboy action, it is faster from the holster and easier to maneuver around props you find at the larger matches. I prefer the "original" Vaqueros in .44 & .357 mag, where my wife prefers the lighter "New" SASS Vaqueros.

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