.44 Magnum or .45 Colt

2

2000ShadowACE

New member
OK so I'm in the market for a new revolver. I would like to find a good quality 44 or 45 colt. I'm looking for a single action cowboy style revolver. I've already ruled out the Blackhawk because I have tried a few and they simply do not feel good in my hand. What do you experts suggest? Whats the best brand? Best looking? Best reliability and best value? I'd like to keep the cost under $750 Thanks for your input.
 
44 Magnum or .45 Colt

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OK so I'm in the market for a new revolver. I would like to find a good quality 44 or 45 colt. I'm looking for a single action cowboy style revolver. I've already ruled out the Blackhawk because I have tried a few and they simply do not feel good in my hand. What do you experts suggest? Whats the best brand? Best looking? Best reliability and best value? I'd like to keep the cost under $750 Thanks for your input.
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I realize you ruled out the Ruger Blackhawk.
If it's the Blackhawk grip shape that's the problem you might want to try a Ruger with a Bisley grip shape.

I tried shooting Blackhawk's in 44 magnum and hated them, I went to a Bisley gripped Ruger in 44 magnum and absolutely love it.
It's much more comfortable to shoot with full power loads.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
I have tried the Bisley grip style and like it, but the Blackhawk still doesn't feel right. I don't know how to explain it, but when I pick up a gun, I want it to feel like it belongs there. I have shot many varieties of double actions and they all felt great, but the single action Blackhawk just feels odd. My Dad has a single action army that he refuses to part with. That gun feels like an extension of your hand. Unfortunatley SAAs a hard to find for under $750
 
You might want to check out the New Vaquero as it has the same grip size as an SAA and is almost identical in size. If you want adjustable sights, there is the Lipseys Flattop .45 Colt and .44 Special also on the medium frame. BTW, the grip panels can always be changed out to suit the owner to make it 'feel' right.
 
I'm a big fan of the Blackhawk in .45 Colt, having used one for the past 30 years. Colt size guns feel "small" to me.

If you don't care for the size and balance of the Blackhawk, have you tried the New Vaquero? (note: the Ruger "Vaquero" was built on the same frame size as the new model Blackawk - the .44 mag size frame. They are discontinued. The Ruger "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller frame size, and is the same approximate size as the Colt SAA, and are currently being produced.)

Also, its important you decide which it is you want, .44Mag or .45 Colt, for standard power loads. You can get .44 mag power in .45 Colt handloads, but only in the big (new model) Ruger Blackhawk. The "Ruger only" power level loads for the .45 Colt were developed back when the big Blackhawk (44 size frame) was the only Ruger .45 Colt. These loads should NOT be used in smaller framed guns, including the "New Vaquero" Ruger.

If, on the other hand, you are fine with sticking to factory level .45 Colt loads, then there are lots of guns out there, including the Colt SAA. Freedom Arms makes an absolutely premium SA, but like the Colt, its well out of your given price range.
 
I have shot a lot of single actions and the best one I found was the Uberti hombre in 45 colt, the way it balances in your hand makes it feel like it just belongs there, there are a lot of nice guns out there but for me it has to feel right when you pick it up and shoot it and this one does and it make shooting it a pleasure not to mention I can hit with it where my blackhawk I have to struggle to shoot as good with it, it just not balance and feel part of me as my hombre does.
 
I have tried the Bisley grip style and like it, but the Blackhawk still doesn't feel right
Click to expand...

What was the bbl length of the one you tried?

If you liked the feel of the Bisley grip, is it a possibility the bbl length made the pistol not balance right in your hand?

I have a 45 BH in 7.5" that I use for deer hunting that is front heavy as some here have eluded to. But is just the ticket for me for hunting.

Also have the .45BH in 5.5" which feels totally different in hand. Just balances better and feels more natural. And if this BH 5.5"er was 4.75" like the Uberti Hunter I think I'd like the feel/balance even better.
 
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I have both Uberti and Cimmaron Colt reproductions and both are good guns. Go to your local gun shop to see how they "feel" in your hands.
 
If you go full cowboy then the .45 is all you need

Get a smaller framed gun that mirrors the single action army and it's for than capable of whatever you require.
 
I'd look at the New model Ruger Vaquero in 45 or even 357 mag. It has a much different feel than the Blackhawk. Very much the same as the original Colts and early versions of the Blackhawk before they increased frame and cylinder size.
 
I'm a 45 Colt fan myself, although I do prefer the Ruger Blackhawk. I have used 45 Colt handguns for 20 years with everything from standard pressure factory level loads to 300+ grain bullets at over 1200 f.p.s. I have shot everything from paper to deer with it, it is my favorite handgun caliber for any use.

If you don't like the feel of the Blackhawk (I prefer the balance of the 5 1/2" barrel) you should check out the Vaquero as mentioned above. It is a great gun, feels different than the Blackhawk and can still be loaded to higher than factory pressures (if that's even a concern for you), but there's nothing wrong with the standard pressure loads for most uses.

Papershotshells
 
Thanks for the replies. I have looked at the Vaquero and it feels much better than the Blackhawk. I will have to try to find one of the uberti guns. Not many dealers around here seem to carry them.
 
In Oregon.....

44 mag vs 45 Colt.... 6 of one; half-dozen of the other. Both are available at about the same price, but if you don't reload, 357 is a much better choice than the first two. Of the two, 44 mag is probably a better choice for most guys. I choose 45 Colt, myself; but I do reload......
 
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