Single action .357. Opinions?

The Ruger Blackhawk series are great guns for the money. That is as low as I would go in the price range though. I would get rubber grips, Hogue or Pachmayr. You can get the convertible models that shoot two calibers and these guns don't cost a lot more. If you go up in price a little your into the dual action guns like the GP100 or 686. These guns cost maybe 2-300 more but there is value there. You can always shoot (and I always do) the D/A in S/A. I love the S/A guns and for just a fun gun to shoot they are great. I go for 6 inch bbls. and prefer these but there are various bbl. lengths out there. I have from 4 5/8 to 8 inch but prefer the 6 inch. As for stainless vs. blued if your going to holster the gun the blue will wear off fast, the stainless is hard to clean and if satin finish it can get rubbed shiny in spots and looks funny.
 
A Freedom Arms gun or a custom SA from Bowen Classic Arms will provide you with the ultimate revolver bar none, but most will find the cost intimidating, particularly with our restricted use of handguns. I do have a wilderness ATC, but I'm reluctant to spend $4K on a carry gun, even one that might be used to save my life, when the Ruger is affordable and reliable alternative. The Ruger guns are safe and accurate, but some can stand a bit of polishing by a talented pistol smith to smooth them up. I prefer the old 3 screw guns, and I'm not offended by carrying a five shooter, at the range its loaded with six, but my current Ruger is a New Model. The Ruger Vaquero will interest you if you prefer the Colt SAA profile to the Blackhawk.
 
I think it would be more interesting to have some sort of a 1873 Colt replica. Otherwise,if it's just the SA you're after, you might just as well have a 686 and shoot it SA all the time.
 
I've seen used .357 Blackhawks for reasonable money

The Gun Dealer has one I'd buy if only it had a 6" bbl. anything under that just looks weird n unnatural to me.
 
If you want to shoot a wide variety of ammo loads from mild to wild the Ruger Blackhawk is the way to go. The adjustable sights will allow you to compensate for the wide variation in elevation of the points of impact. The Ruger is also the best suggestion if the plan is to shoot a steady diet of full power loads since it's more rugged.

If you will zero in on a somewhat lighter and regular load and what a proper clone of the old Colt 1873 then a Pietta from Marstar is a great option. The guns are nicely made and well finished. And with a little break in the triggers have a nice short and light feel to them. But the fixed sights on these guns means that you're very limited to loads which will shoot spot on to the point of aim provided by the sights.

The other option is to find a load power you like and then trim the sights to match the POA to the POI for that load and then stick with that load from then on.

I would be hesitant to shoot a lot of full power magnums from a Pietta. The guns are proofed to not blow up from such loads but nothing says that they won't shoot loose over time from a few thousand rounds. On the other hand the two I've got which have shot primarily stout .38Spl loads and a handful of magnums are tight as new after some 3000 rounds through each.
 
Boomer said:
Really? Its a handgun not a rifle; a SA revolver is at its best in either 45/8" or 5.1/2" trim. Ned Buntline and I wouldn't have seen eye to eye.;)
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It's very much a personal taste issue of course. But I actually prefer the longer 7.5" look. But definitely not the silly looking buntline nonsense.

Of course the 4 5/8 and 5 1/2 are better for faster and cleaner drawing. But for just slow paced shooting I like the look and balance of the longer 7 1/2" models.
 
Didn't the original Colt SAA came in 7 1/2" barrel and only shortened to 4 3/4" and 5 1/2" because folks needed them for a faster draw?

My picks would be Pietta on a tight budget or Uberti Cattleman\El Patron\Evil Roy. For a more modern safety twist, the Beretta Stampede or Ruger New Vaquero. Ruger Blackhawk are awesome but there's something about modern day sights on a Colt replica that doesn't do it for me.
 
Trinimon said:
Didn't the original Colt SAA came in 7 1/2" barrel and only shortened to 4 3/4" and 5 1/2" because folks needed them for a faster draw?

My picks would be Pietta on a tight budget or Uberti Cattleman\El Patron\Evil Roy. For a more modern safety twist, the Beretta Stampede or Ruger New Vaquero. Ruger Blackhawk are awesome but there's something about modern day sights on a Colt replica that doesn't do it for me.
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I'd agree with that. For me, buying one of these SA's would be at least partly about the looks.
 
If you are going to shoot SA then go with either a Uberti/Pietta/Beretta clone. They are made to shoot .357mag loads and will work fine. If you are looking for a revolver to shoot Sa go with the Ruger GP-100 over the 686. Less money for more gun, IMHO. I have them both and the GP-100 is just a better design and rugged as you would expect a Ruger to be. the 4.2" model balances really well.

Take Care

Bob
 
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