I have the urge to go retro. So im thinking a 1873 Single Action Army chambered in .357/ 38 special with short barrel might scratch the itch. Im not willing to pay Colt prices. Are the Beretta Stampedes still around? Is there anything else similar?
Options for a Single Action Army that won't break the bank
- Thread starter Ebola
- Start date
Uberti cattlemen, is as near to authentic as you will get. If you want fairly close but with modern reliability go ruger vaquero. As nice as the 1873’s are (Colt’s included) they are also fairly fragile whereas the vaqueros have the look but are also bombproof. The 1873’s also must be carried with only 5 in the cylinder (although I believe the new ones are ok with 6). You may also want to consider blackhawk’s. Not authentic but strong with adjustable sights
Pietta likely the best option for a single action revolver these days, that won't break the bank. The Pietta 1873 with 4 /34" barrel is compact, fast handling and well balanced in the hand. Very easy to service and maintain. OEM and aftermarket parts are also readily available. The .357/.38 is a versatile choice. Ammo and reloading components are inexpensive and widely available(at least until Covid hit. Supplies are limited, right now).
Edit: To echo Dogzilla's comments: The Uberti Cattleman is also a good choice. If your budget will handle it, the Ruger New Vaquero is an outstanding choice, in a durable, dependable revolver. The Vaquero is built like a tank and easily capable of withstanding the hard use of Cowboy Action competition. For that reason, you will see the Vaquero in the hands of most of the top competitors in the sport. If you plan to eventually compete, the New Vaquero is a sound choice. The Vaquero with 4 5/8" barrel is nicely balanced, points well and fast handling. Next: Ruger Blackhawk. Less expensive than the Vaquero, but just as durable. Replacement parts for Ruger revolvers are also widely available.
Edit: To echo Dogzilla's comments: The Uberti Cattleman is also a good choice. If your budget will handle it, the Ruger New Vaquero is an outstanding choice, in a durable, dependable revolver. The Vaquero is built like a tank and easily capable of withstanding the hard use of Cowboy Action competition. For that reason, you will see the Vaquero in the hands of most of the top competitors in the sport. If you plan to eventually compete, the New Vaquero is a sound choice. The Vaquero with 4 5/8" barrel is nicely balanced, points well and fast handling. Next: Ruger Blackhawk. Less expensive than the Vaquero, but just as durable. Replacement parts for Ruger revolvers are also widely available.
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Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Doesn't Beretta own uberti , its been a long time since I had one , but , i seem to recall that my beretta stampede had uberti marked on it somewhere, I could be wrong about that , but ,I'm sure beretta owns uberti.
Also , another vote for Ruger New Vaquero .
Also , another vote for Ruger New Vaquero .
International Harvester
CGN Regular
- Location
- Republic of Saskatchewan
Most authentic is uberti cattlemen, and you can find them in every finish imaginable (I used to have Old West Antique finish, looked awesome) Ruger new model vaquero is beautiful and a stronger build, but it has a transfer bar----yuk!
A lot of the new Piettas,ubertis,etc dont have the authentic
4 clicks. I've owned all the rest and the El Patron is the best repro.
If you can find an older Uberti El Patron, itll have the authentic 4 clicks,the best trigger out the bunch listed here and a better overall fit and finish.
Also the 5 1/2 barrel is way more balanced than the rest.
One more thing,go with 45 LC,you wont regret it.
Reloading makes them cheap..lol
4 clicks. I've owned all the rest and the El Patron is the best repro.
If you can find an older Uberti El Patron, itll have the authentic 4 clicks,the best trigger out the bunch listed here and a better overall fit and finish.
Also the 5 1/2 barrel is way more balanced than the rest.
One more thing,go with 45 LC,you wont regret it.
Reloading makes them cheap..lol
International Harvester: Ruger's transfer bar system has been around for a long time. Seems to have held up pretty well, so far. What is it you find objectionable about it? As a matter of interest, the Pietta 1873 Peacemaker: SKU PT-SA73-006(On Marstar site), for example....does feature 4-click cocking, similar to the original Colt revolver.
Barrel length is pretty much a personal preference. Can't argue with 45C..... The older Uberti El Patron is/was one of the best repros. I prefer the 5 1/2" barrel length in most scenarios, too. The slightly barrel heavy feel of the 5 1/2" points well and recovers quickly from recoil. Resulting in good shot-to-shot control at speed. But....the shorter barrels are a bit faster out/back into the holster. So, if shaving a few extra hundredths of a second from your stage times is important....this is a consideration. For casual plinking/target shooting, not so much.
Best way to decide which revolver make/barrel length suits you best....is to try them out. Attend a local cowboy action match, if you can. There will likely be any number of opportunities to handle a variety of revolvers.
Barrel length is pretty much a personal preference. Can't argue with 45C..... The older Uberti El Patron is/was one of the best repros. I prefer the 5 1/2" barrel length in most scenarios, too. The slightly barrel heavy feel of the 5 1/2" points well and recovers quickly from recoil. Resulting in good shot-to-shot control at speed. But....the shorter barrels are a bit faster out/back into the holster. So, if shaving a few extra hundredths of a second from your stage times is important....this is a consideration. For casual plinking/target shooting, not so much.
Best way to decide which revolver make/barrel length suits you best....is to try them out. Attend a local cowboy action match, if you can. There will likely be any number of opportunities to handle a variety of revolvers.
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International Harvester
CGN Regular
- Location
- Republic of Saskatchewan
Alex, it's my personal opinion. I'm a purist when it comes to SAA's and I like the traditional pin on hammer. The transfer bar system in my opinion is a step backwards to check a legal box, similar to DEF on new diesel tractors. If the new vaquero came chambered in 44 mag and had a traditional pin on hammer I'd buy 2.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ttleman-4-75-inch-45-Colt-case-hardened-blued
Equipment Exchange here is where I buy most of my stuff these days...
Equipment Exchange here is where I buy most of my stuff these days...
InternationalHarvester: Thanks for your follow-up comments. I don't tend to be a purist when it comes to single action revolvers. For me, its more a matter of function(My guns get used, a lot). So I favour a gun that works well, is durable and reliable under long, hard competitive use. Rather than adherence to original specs. For me, the Ruger Vaquero fits that job description well.
But, certainly understand why many folks want their reproduction revolvers to look, feel and operate, just like the originals. Isn't that part of the reason why we own and shoot them? Several of my single action revolvers do so....and I appreciate that attention to detail, too. I just don't beat them up quite so much. So, I likewise appreciate where you're coming from. Even if we might not be able to afford a 'real' Colt Peacemaker....we can at least get pretty darn close!
But, certainly understand why many folks want their reproduction revolvers to look, feel and operate, just like the originals. Isn't that part of the reason why we own and shoot them? Several of my single action revolvers do so....and I appreciate that attention to detail, too. I just don't beat them up quite so much. So, I likewise appreciate where you're coming from. Even if we might not be able to afford a 'real' Colt Peacemaker....we can at least get pretty darn close!
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Can anyone speak about the spring loaded firing pins on the hammers for the Ubertis? I guess it is a relatively new thing. I think I would prefer that before a transfer bar. Not that there is anything wrong with a transfer bar.
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Ebola: Despite appearing unnecessary...the retractable/floating firing pins on the new Uberti Cattleman revolvers work pretty reliably. Not unlike the firing pin block found on many double action revolvers. Or transfer bar on other single actions. That being said, my firsthand experience with these is limited to under 1000 rounds....so not a real test of their longterm reliability. I do know several shooters who've deactivated the mechanism(spacer inserted behind the pin which prevents it from moving back). Whether that improved the revolver's reliability, is up for debate. If the mechanism is kept clean and lubed, I see no reason why it shouldn't function as designed.
Some shooters have opted to replace the hammer and trigger altogether, with the old Colt style, four-click hammer(New hammer features 3 clicks....no safety notch, like old style). Seems like an expensive fix for a non-existent problem. Before you lay down any cash for one though, I'd still advise handling and especially firing one, if possible. Though Uberti revolvers are known to have great ergonomics, like Colts.....it still boils down to personal preference. Hope this helps.
Al
Some shooters have opted to replace the hammer and trigger altogether, with the old Colt style, four-click hammer(New hammer features 3 clicks....no safety notch, like old style). Seems like an expensive fix for a non-existent problem. Before you lay down any cash for one though, I'd still advise handling and especially firing one, if possible. Though Uberti revolvers are known to have great ergonomics, like Colts.....it still boils down to personal preference. Hope this helps.
Al
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C-O-L-T lol
