Which SAA revolver to buy in 45LC?

Melnibonean

Melnibonean

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Have been torn between the Uberti, Pietta and the New Vanquero. I like the more classic look and the "4 clicks" of the Uberti (just like the original Colt Peacemaker), but dislike the firing pin being on the hammer and having to load 5 instead of 6.

I like the robustness of the Rugers and the transfer bar safety, but am not warm to it's looks (when compared to the other 2)

I like the price point of the Pietta, and it's faithful reproduction of the original Colt peacemaker, but have heard that the metal is softer and that it's not as well built as the Ruger (Uberti has the same problem). However, I like the Pietta for it's case hardened color and grips and it's transfer bar safety.

I liked the Beretta Stampede, but have heard it has a hair trigger of something like 1 1/2 lb, which I wouldn't like.

Then my friend suggested I look at the Blackhawk series from Ruger, since I can load those 45 colts to MUCH hotter levels (up to 30,000 cup) whereas in the others, I have to keep the pressure down below 13,000 cup. I will be reloading either way.

So what is the opinion of anyone who has/has had these models? I don't plan on competing in CAS, but that might change and I might do it a few times a season only because I enjoy all shooting games and look forward to the trigger time. It will mostly be for paper punching and the possible occasional wilderness carry (in the US)
 
Hello, I just read your post and I had all these models so here is my opinion, first you cannot hunt with a handgun in Canada or even pack one other than to or from the range so even though I do like the Super Blackhawk 44 mag or even in 45 colt its not practical for me as i just shoot recreationally but I do like the 45 and thats why I have these beauties. I owned a Colt second generation 71/2" barrel unturned and unfired, was afraid to shoot it so sold it to a guy in cowboy action shooting. Kicked my ass, getting older and wanted a real Colt to shoot so found one in the barrel length I favor 4 5/8" 3rd generation (said not to be as well finished or shoot as good as a second gen.) Bull#### the one I have is a good shooter when cocked locks up tight no wobble and metal to metal fit is good. Some sharp edges but with handling and shooting they wear down and smooth out. Hated the black Double Eagle grip feel so swapped out for Ivory. Us won't export Ivory as it is against the law. The Ivory grip panels i have on mine are a little wider feeling but that's ok it fills the hand nicely and when firing soaks a little more recoil up. My next one in the picture is the Pietta finished and sold through Great Western. Don't know if they are still around.But it is said to be the nearest thing to a real Colt and I belive it as the two of them feel identical in weight and balance. The Great Western II that I have has had some attention to detail my original Colt doesn't have for example the cyinlinder edges are champhered to go into the holster without shaving off leather and the corners of the flutes are also beveled. It has a higher degree of blueing than my Colt and the case hardened finish on the frame is also more lusterious than the Colts. I love the firing pin attached to the hammer as per the period and so what you carry five ( load one miss one load four) If you were gonna go into a known bad situation load six. But know this when ever you #### the hammer and open that loading gate you must remember that when ever, weather for half #### safty which we don't rely on ( thus 5 rnd load) or loading alway #### that hammer fully to the rear and then lower it down, it saves having those ugly drag marks on the cylinder and is better for the action. That is why when a noobie or a unknowing friend want so handle them I lecture them first. The Great Western also has an extra notch in the cylinder retaining pin that allows it to go further back into the frame to lock up the action so it can't be fired. The revolver has a one piece stock which I greatly like as there are no ugly screw holes just one solid piece of walnut. Now the Ruger is different. Good different! I had the Vaquero but it didn't feel like my Colts so when they brought out the New Vaquero I dumped mine and went with a little longer barrel 5 1/2" longer sight radius. This New Vaquero has a case hardened frame people say that is the ####iest in the industry yeah ok might be but it is starting to wear off like a real Colt and I like the aged look. I hate the all blue cheap look on a lot from the makers are turnning out these days. it just says I'm cutting corners and it looks like it too. Mind you, you can still get case hardening on the Colt or some Clones but not Ruger at present. The ruger has a transfer bar safety so you can load up with six and don't have to put it on half #### to open the loading gate, dry fire the #### out of it and the frame as well as the grip feel great. More in porportion to the Colt feel, no you can't load it to +p velocities like the BlackHawk, then buy the bigger frame BlackHawks.
But for sheer shooting joy and fun you can't beat these. My loads for these are Unique worked up to 8.0 gr. (Max is 8.5 for 898fps) 452 gr. Semi Wad Cutters at 250gr. and large CCI pistol primers in Winchester cases. (If you use this load do so at your own risk, I take no responsability) Like I said I worked up to this load. Anyhow here are my toys !!

Hope this was a help to you.
Regards
Jack
 
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I have a Uberti 1873 SAA in .45 Colt with a 5-1/2 inch barrel and it has been good to me,accurate, reliable and it has a nice trigger. It has the "Antique" finish ie: not much finish at all and they have the nerve to charge extra for it. The first picture shows the SAA on top and an original 1860 Army (Mfg.1863) with a real antique finish.
The second picture shows a .44 Cap and Ball 1873 SAA made for the Euorpean market where centre-fire handguns ar verboten, it has the typical blued and case hardened finish and is also a good shooter for black powder only. Ironically the black powder .44 cap and ball is built on a smokeless frame with the spring loaded cylinder pin release.

 
Most of the stuff has been covered. But I don't think I saw a warning about the limitations of fixed sights. So I guess that's mine... :D

The issue being that with fixed sights you can only shoot a very limited range of load options that will provide a POI that matches the POA. Basically each weight and jacket or none will only shoot to POA at one particular velocity for that bullet. So you're somewhat limited if you want to play around with ammo loads from mild to wild. If you want to have the most flexibility to aim any load you produce to match the POA to the POI then you only really have one option. That being the Ruger Blackhawk.

Or..... just because they wanted to mess me up the Uberti Callahan target model which also has adjustable sights. But I've yet to see any of those for sale.

For plinking where you're willing to settle on suiting the ammo to the sights or adjusting the sights to work with one particular pet load you can't beat the look of the fixed sight models. The big partridge front sight and junky upper frame strap and adjustable sight make the Blackhawk look like a starlet with a wart. But there's no denying that the Blackhawk is a versatile handgun.
 
I have the Blackhawk convertible .45 Colt and .45ACP. I like the gun, I have Hogue grips on it as I like these better. I have only shot a few rounds through the gun but I find the .45 Colt is accurate and the .45ACP isn't close. Not sure why that is? Shooting back to back and the ACP rounds are low and to the right. Again might have only shot a 2-300 rounds through the gun, less than 50 ACP rounds. I like .45 Colt a lot though. All my hand loads are low power out of the book, not Ruger only loads. I think the Blackhawk is a better gun since the Varadero has just a notch for a rear sight.
 
I have a Ruger Blackhawk and it has been a problem free firearm.....like most Ruger Revolvers , it is over engineered for durability . You cannot go wrong with a Blackhawk....
 
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