Which caliber SAA clone?

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What's the difference in shooting feel between 45lc and 357mag? I haven't fired a single action revolver in either caliber. Would it be akin to shooting 45acp vs 9mm auto, as far as recoil impulse and overall feel?

Options are an SAA clone in 45LC with an extra 45ACP cylinder, or a 357MAG gun which also affords the ability to run 38 special.

Any thoughts? No idea which way to go. Is the 45LC experience worth the money?
 
I had a Pietta in 45LC a long time ago, not hard to shoot even with warm loads. It was the 7.5" barrel version, made nice, high polish blue, decent trigger, I just didn't like the feel of it, and with the fixed sights they generally don't shoot POA, sometimes not even close like the Pietta I had. Also slow to load/unload, I prefer DA revolvers, so I sold it.
 
I myself find the Bisley style grips a lot more comfortable than the plow style. I have a Bisley grip super Blackhawk while my buddy has a traditional old model blackhawk. Quite the difference with Ruger only 45 colt rounds. I enjoy his plow gripped Vaquero with normal 45LC , but I'm still a fan of the Bisley grip.
Cant really comment on the recoil as its subjective.
I like the 45 Colt but if your not reloading it could get expensive. Plus you'd have the option of Cowboy action type loads .
If your not a recoil junkie a Bisley gripped .357 Vaquero would be a good choice with the option of factory 38 spl.
 
I liked the 45 over the .357, kinda like a solid boom compared to a sharp crack.. lol

5 1/2 barrel is perfect and you have to hold them loosely, not a death grip like a S&W .357.
Tilted ahead just a little with your pinky under the grip.

Get a cheap one, that way you won’t mind fanning it every now and then..ha ha

If you want a nice knock off get an Uberti El patron, 5 1/2 barrel. It’s a beauty with a sweet trigger
 
Thanks guys. Im eyeing the Uberti El Patron or an equivalent Taylor Co Smokewagon

Any thoughts on if the short stroke ones are worth getting?
 
For my tastes, the more fitting chambering of the two for a single action style revolver is 45LC. I have a pair. A 5 1/2" blued old style Ruger Vaquero, in 45LC and a 4 5/8" stainless Blackhawk convertable in 45LC/45ACP.
 
I’ve had the El Patron and the sass pro, both very nice, but I found the El Patron had the better trigger , I guess the El Patron just felt better.
 
Any thoughts on the Bisley models? Im not sure any of the local retailers will have one of each to try, is the grip better???
 
I have a Blackhawk with convertible 357/9mm cylinders. Works very well. Nothing wrong with the 9mm accuracy, and makes for cheap shooting.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
I have a Blackhawk with convertible 357/9mm cylinders. Works very well. Nothing wrong with the 9mm accuracy, and makes for cheap shooting.
Click to expand...

I have the 45 version (used to have a 9mm/38/357 convertible, but a friend wanted it more than me). I still have the 45 Ruger version, cylinders in 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and one in 45 Win Mag (not a factory option). It's a fun gun. - dan
 
With either cartridge you can load ultra-light or ultra-warm or do some of both depending on mood. (Make sure you can tell the two types of load apart!)

The .45 Colt is the more authentic SAA experience, but the .38 can be loaded lighter if you're an ultra-competitive Cowboy shooter or a cheap reloader.

The same gun in two calibres is likely to be lighter in the larger one (contrary to instinctive guess) since more metal is drilled out of the barrel. The extra weight might actually be part of what makes the smaller bore a steadier shooter.
 
What chambering for the SAA

Of course .45 Colt is a classic SAA ctg.

I've had Pietta's in both .45 and .357 Mag. All were good, but don't have any of them now.

Currently, staying with my 2nd gen Colt SAA in .357 Mag, of which I'm 2nd owner. I've only ever shot it with .38 Specials.

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NAA.
 
knock-knock: Either caliber choice offers plenty of options. But its always best to try before you buy. Likely the best way to decide which works best for your needs, is to handle and especially shoot(if possible), samples of either caliber/grip type. Likewise, different barrel lengths. Do any of your local gun clubs host cowboy action? If so, this is a good place to get practical hands-on experience. Somewhere among the mix, you should find the one that you prefer.

Also: What drives your choice? Will the revolver be used for casual range plinking? Or see competitive use? In which case, as old303 suggests, reloading costs also have to be factored in.

.45 Colt and its offspring: .45 Schofield and Cowboy .45 Special are going to be more expensive to reload than say, .357 mag....and especially .38 Special. So... if your budget is limited...or, you intend to compete...those component costs can really add up. Not so much for casual trips to the range. Though still more.

As far as authenticity goes, or just plain fun factor...there's nothing that beats the big Colt cartridge in that department. But, the most practical choice overall....at least in my opinion...is .357 magnum.

Al

ps: From firsthand experience: The short-stroked Smoke Wagon is a good choice, if serious competition is your goal. Otherwise, the Patron will serve you well. Though it can certainly hold its own against all comers. Also, be sure to check out the various Pietta models. Equally as good as Uberti(in my view).
 
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Depending on the ammo and your budget, 45Colt is more expensive to shoot than 357. Components are also more expensive for the 45Colt, such as bullets and brass.

The shape of the grip and how it fits your particular hand will have a lot to do with how the revolver feels in your hand.

I had three Sauer SAAs chambered for 357mag/44mag/45Colt. Likely one of the smoothest SAAs made, even slicker than original Colts.

The sauer has longer grips that are wider at the base and no matter how stout the loads (Sauer SAAs are supposedly stronger than Ruger Blackhawks) the felt recoil was easily manageable. Because of the grip shape and length, the revolver didn't have a tendency to "roll" in my hand, which is about as average as they come.

The Ruger Blackhawk, was definitely more difficult to control, with all three cartridges. I ended up replacing the factory grips on them with aftermarket types that wer e closer in size to those on the Sauer

The Sauers also had a visibly more angular grip, almost square to the frame, especially on the front.

The Rugers had a more rounded, streamlined grip that allowed the roll and enhanced felt recoil.

All three cartridges were controllable, once time had been spent on getting familiar with them, in both types of SAA revolvers.
 
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