Cowboy Action Revolvers, Your Thoughts

[Bart68]

I have always wanted and I know very little to nothing about them.

I'm not going to getting into Cowboy action shooting so it doesn't really matter to me the caliber just not a .22.
Would prefer 357/38 special but a 45 would be cool and something that will last like my S&W revolvers.

Would picking up a used one on the EE be the way to go? My S&W 38 14-2 is used and I really like it.

I do like the looks of a Vaquero but does S&W make one? Would tracking down a Colt be worth while?

 

[Garand]

If you are interested in Ruger Vaqueros, go for an "original" one manufactured between 1993-2005. They are built like Russian T-34 tanks! On one of mine the transfer bar broke just as I crossed 20,000 rds down range with that pistol. They are heavier than the "new" Vaqueros. I prefer to compete with original Vaqueros my wife competes with new vaqueros. I wouldn't want to runs +P+ through my wife's gun, but my original Vaqueros not a problem. The guns are worth the money spent on them.


Colts are not as durable as Rugers, just my humble opinion, very few if any Cowboy Action shooters, that are high volume shooters chose to shoot Colts.

https://www.snapagogo.com/images/2018/08/18/DSCN7327a.md.jpg

 

[dogzilla]

Uberti or ruger

 

[NAA]

1st gen Ruger Vaquero for durability!





Colt SAA for the cool factor...



Pietta just to be practical....

------------------
NAA.

 

[Garand]

Try this link http://www.curtrich.com/GettingStarted02.html It will give you a write up on all CAS handguns currently available these days.

 

[Canuck44]

Competitors will tell you the Ruger is the stoutest revolver and used by most and they are.

If you just want a Single Action Army style then I suggest you look at the Uberti line. The make excellent handguns. You want a copy of the Uberti used in 310 to Yuma used by Russel Crowe you can order one. A gun that you saw in any of Eastwood's spaghetti westerns you will find it available via Uberti. You want a "Cowboy" basic gun Uberti makes one. They are excellent revolvers but the SAA design was not the most robust revolver design so some prefer the stouter modern design of the Vaquero.

Caliber choice depends on whether you reload or not. If you reload, then there really is not much difference in loading the 45 Colt or the 38spl/.357mag. You will have to make that decision. I have both and shoot both. I reload.

Guys who shoot Cowboy Action can chime in on the ins and outs of the choices. My comments fall to just an enthusiastic and frustrated plinker who wishes he was 30 years younger with a decent shoulder to handle light 12 gauge shotguns. If I was, and had, I would be all over Cowboy Action Shooting. I could be Jerry Potts reborn. :>)

Take Care

Bob

 

[Milanczar]

When you consider chosing the revolver caliber look as well to the availability and selection of that caliber for other firearms you want for CAS like an 1892, 1873 etc etc

45 repros tend in my experience to harder to find as sold out first or more expensive on the aftermarket.

 

[paul792]

I have new rugers, sass matched pair in .357/.38 and luv em. Check the cost of ammo, .45lc is usually double the price and harder to find. The rugers are awesome guns but you don't get the 4 clicks C,O,L,T when cocking like you get from a real colt or colt clone. If I was just getting one for the fun of it and not compition I would look at the uberti line in whatever caliber you choose. They are well built, authentic and affordable. And come in many different barrel lengths and finishes.

 

[skokie]

My main match revolvers are Uberti copies of Smith and Wesson Third Model Russian's in .44 Russian. I love these guns, they are accurate and well balanced, very easy to see they are safe and unloaded, and always attract attention. I shoot Duelist (one handed) and these fit my large hands well, the trigger spur helps control muzzle flip. The Schofields are equally cool and available in several calibers.

 

[dogzilla]

The most common guns in competition are Vaqueros or Uberti's, these guns get thousands of rounds put thru them. One thing to note, vaqueros can safely be carried with 6 rounds in the cylinder. Real colts or the colt clones (Uberti, Pietta) are true to the original and can only safely be carried with 5 rounds in the cylinder and the hammer on an empty chamber.

 

[rustynut1]

If your not going into cowboy action shooting I would get a gun with a real rear sight, adjustable. If you were to only shoot on load, one bullet weight it might be OK, and depending on what kind of accuracy you want. I have multiple .38/.357 revolvers and I have .45 Colt and .45 ACP revolvers. I like the .45 calibre more than the .38 Specials in my head at least. Two of the nicest revolvers I have are .38 Specials-K frame though, for the money. Lots of custom work on them. My most expensive gun is a F/A .45/.454 and there is no comparison between this gun and a Ruger or S&W, any Ruger or S&W. No compromise there. There might be deals out there on the Freedom Arms used, seeing how bad the economy is.

 

[VICIOUS]

38/357 are the best way to go.
SASS rules pick a category, some need fixed sight, age based allow adjustable sights.
Shooting style, one handed or two?
How often do you plan to shoot? do you reload?
How much money to spend? can you afford to spend it twice if you pick wrong?
What is your goal? fun with friends? just want trigger time with others?
New blackhawks with adjustable sights are lite and easy to sight in. But not nice with RHINO killer loads. Cowboy loads are 125 grain at about 700 feet per second.
Keep the rifle in the same caliber and the same load.
side by side short 12 gauge are the flavour of the day.
You will end up with a pair of Rugers in the end if you last in this game, how long and how much money you blow before then is your call.

 

[Garand]

I have new rugers, sass matched pair in .357/.38 and luv em. Check the cost of ammo, .45lc is usually double the price and harder to find..

Curious to where you get those numbers from? I reload both .38 Spl and .45 LC for CAS in my Vaqueros and it cost me exactly the same to reload both calibers.

 

[dogzilla]

I think he is talking about factory ammo. Reloading is virtually the same.

 

[Ridersfan]

If you are interested in Ruger Vaqueros, go for an "original" one manufactured between 1993-2005. They are built like Russian T-34 tanks! On one of mine the transfer bar broke just as I crossed 20,000 rds down range with that pistol. They are heavier than the "new" Vaqueros. I prefer to compete with original Vaqueros my wife competes with new vaqueros. I wouldn't want to runs +P+ through my wife's gun, but my original Vaqueros not a problem. The guns are worth the money spent on them.


Colts are not as durable as Rugers, just my humble opinion, very few if any Cowboy Action shooters, that are high volume shooters chose to shoot Colts.

https://www.snapagogo.com/images/2018/08/18/DSCN7327a.md.jpg

I respectfully disagree with your statement... a Colt is the gold standard of CAS. A Uberti or Pietta are accurate clones of the Colt at a fraction of the price so are your #2 choice, and a Ruger is the affordable version that doesn't stay true to original design but is popular because of price point & availability putting it at choice #3. They are ALL quality firearms, and all desirable & accurate. Choice #3 is not a poor choice. It's not like you're choosing between a Cadillac & a Yugo... you're choosing between a Bentley, a Rolls Royce, & a Benz here.

 

[Bart68]

I have always wanted and I know very little to nothing about them.

I'm not going to getting into Cowboy action shooting so it doesn't really matter to me the caliber just not a .22.
Would prefer 357/38 special but a 45 would be cool and something that will last like my S&W revolvers.

Would picking up a used one on the EE be the way to go? My S&W 38 14-2 is used and I really like it.

I do like the looks of a Vaquero but does S&W make one? Would tracking down a Colt be worth while?

View attachment 199133

Like I said not looking to Cowboy action shoot just want to have one for me to go out and plink with,
I'm a big fan of revolvers and I'm also a big fan of antiques and vintage so a Cowboy Revolver would be a
nice addition to my range days.

I have looked at all mentioned here and really like them all but what I wanted to know is will an Uberti
still be a good gun to own in 20 years or would a Ruger be better for reliability? Oh and does S&W make a single action cowboy gun?

 

[Sharps '74]

The Colt SAAs and clones shoot themselves loose. A lot of the clones need work out of the box to the point where the mavens on CasCity refer to them as "kit" guns. The Rugers are bomb proof. If you can break a Ruger, maybe you shouldn't have guns.

Calibre wise, the .38 Spl. has taken over from the .44s and .45s that once ruled the roost, most of them shot with embarrassingly light loads. Some prefer to match their handguns to the same calibre as their rifles.

Shoot a few before buying. If you stick with the game, you will go thru' a few types and calibres - trust me .... ;>) Oh, and you'll become a holster collector as well.

 

[TT1900]

Since you’re only planning to use it as a range gun, and I assume treat it very well, get a genuine Colt SAA if you’ve got the money. In my experience, not specifically with SAA’s, spending extra for the real deal is worth it. In 20 years the Colt will still have value, the clones and Rugers not nearly so. I’ve recently been looking at Colt SAA’s and have quickly figured out that if you find the right one and keep it in good shape you’ll be unlikely to lose anything on it. Finding the right one is the challenge I’m having.

And as the Colt 1911 guys say, “if it ain’t a pony, it’s a phoney”. True to some extent, no matter how well the other guns shoot.

 

[rustynut1]

If your going to spend $thousands on a old used gun be careful, real careful. I have been on a mission to buy a bunch of S&W K frames, on here mostly. I would generalize that 1 out of three is screwed, shot out. I end up disappointed too many times. I have basically given up, fool me once shame on me kind of deal.

 

[Bart68]

I have a S&W K frame in a 38 special, there is another S&W 14-2 at my local shop that looks like it was just taken out of the box, they are asking $750.00 for it.

I'm going to have to check around and handle the Ruger and the Uberti to see which I like more.
I's not a gun that will get alot of use it's more for the fun of shooting a Single Action.