Single action Revolvers: opinions?

[sobo4303]

I own 3 Uberti's (cattlemen) - all in the 38/357 configuration.

The grips are such that the pinky has to reside under the butt grip, as that's the way they were. I also tried vaquero's and found the grip to be narrower and smaller in stature. The big thing however was the absence of the half-#### loading and three click for firing. Call it nostalgia. I load my own and therefore use 357 brass but load to the specifications of the old guns - about 850 fps. They are great plinkers and awesome for CAS shooting.

Now for the kicker. 38 spl (lead) can be had for about $19 (Rem UMC) a box if you shop around. 45 Colt - is very expensive at $47 (UMC) or $43 for the Winchester brown box. You may want to figure out how much plinking you'll want to do and if you do not handload, then you may want to choose a cheaper caliber if funds are tight.

 

[josquin]

... In the mid 70's, I went to visit Elmer Keith in Salmon Idaho and a picture of that visit is my present avatar...

WHAP! I don't know which was the bigger jolt- the sound of Elmer Keith's name being dropped or the sight of that hand cannon, and this before I've even had my first cup of coffee.

As usual, Johnn, thanks for the informative post. (Reminds me to go back and watch hickock45's video of shooting the S&W 500.) I think I might eventually have a go at making up a set of palm swell or Jordan Trooper style grips for my .45 Colt Blackhawk.

Stuart

 

[Mark-II]

I handload, so cost of ammo isn't a problem. I'd like to shoot a bit of black/pyrodex as well, so I'd like one of the big bore rounds for that. I liked the heft of the Uberti - it felt pretty solid. They wouldn't remove the trigger locks, so it's hard to get the real feel of how they sit, but it is what it is.

I'm going to head to the states in a few weeks. I don't imagine that the current buying frenzy includes a run on SAA revolvers, so if Cabelas or Scheels has something appropriate, perhaps I can wrap my hands around a few and see how they fit.

(It's a pity that you can't even bring the inert components of reloading back from the US)

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Well son of a gun, now there's a piece of information that has eluded me. It simply never occurred to me that the raised decorative carving on a grip panel would have any practical application, in fact to the contrary, I have always considered such "embellishment" to be a bad idea on a heavy recoiling gun. I doubt if I'll run out and buy a set of carved ivory grips for my .44, but suddenly the look is less pompous then it was a few minutes ago.

Prior to visiting him at his home in Salmon, with my then recently acquired interst in handgun shooting, having quite a number of questions, I wrote him twice. I still have those letters tucked away in the pages of 'Sixguns by Keith'. In preparation for the trip and opportunity to meet and chat with him, I wrote out, if I recall correctly, two pages of questions. One question I remember was about that decorative but effective touch of a palm fill. I'll have to do a hunt through his books in my 'archives' and see if I can find where he made reference to the topic. I did just take a quick look but it's something I'll have to pursue further some rainy day.
The set of grips he showed me had a Longhorn Steers head on the right side and I'm not sure of the material but it looked to be some ivory like product.
For some time now, I've had a number of pieces of dried/cured fiddle back maple. Another rainy day project, I may try carving a few sets of grips for a single action and possibly a few for something along the 1911 line. The 'tentative plan' is to use something along the lines of stylized initials to personalize the gun and act as a palm fill.

 

[ginseng503]

Pietta 1873 "Tombstone with oversized walnut grips

I have been thinking of this gun too. Supposedly there is some grip for the pinky finger to hold onto. I haven't tried one, just heard the story.
You can visit the Cowboy Action City forum for their insights.

 

[Skinny 1950]

I have a Uberti 5 1/2 .45 Colt and have shot black powder with it, the only real draw-back is how dirty the cartridge cases get inside and out and the walnut media in the vibrator doesn't clean them very well. I am seriously thinking about stainless wet tumbling to get them clean.