Beretta Stampede or Ruger Vaquero

B

Bullrock

New member
I want a single action six one more time. I am leaning hard toward the Beretta Stampede Brushed Nickle, Oak Grips, .45 Colt, 5.5Brl, spin free cylinder, for about $400. :D

I also like the Ruger Bisley Vaquero, 5.5 Brl. What keeps me away is all that trash talkin crap they put all over the barrell's of my other Rugers. :mad:

So, does anyone have any experience with either of these fine looking wheelguns??? I know they are fun to shoot, that's why I want one... :D

The Beretta
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I do have a Ruger Vaquero like the one you want but its not the Bisley model. Mine has been great and accurate. I haven't even seen a Beretta Stampede in person
 
Was just shooting my Vaquero this past weekend. 5 1/2", stainless, non-Bisley. Has the 45 ACP cylinder along with the 45 Colt. Fun is right. I never go to the range without bringing a single action with me. Sorry, but no experience with the Beretta.
 
Other than the billboard.. I've been happy with my Ruger SA's. Contemplating buffing it off my stainless Super Blackhawk...
 
I dont have much practical experience with the Beretta and probably wont tell you anything you dont already know about the Ruger but I'll give it a shot; of the two I prefer the Beretta some have claimed that they are not well timed from the factory but I do not believe these claims carry much merit two things I like about the Beretta are the choice of finish (the old style charcoal blue & nickel being favorites) and the cylinder indexes just like a Colt so I hear, for unloading purposes also the grip frame is steel and the cylinder frame features real case hardening. Ruger uses an anodized aluminum grip frame which I can not fault but I think it does alter balance to a degree with the hogs leg (Bisley? not sure if balance is affected with this grip style due to lack of experience :o ) Vaquero cylinder frames are oversized for caliber (they use a 44mag capable cylinder for all calibers) making it extremely robust. The cylinder indexing is odd you hear the click but must continue rotating the cylinder and "eye ball" where to stop and eject if you over rotate you cannot reverse :( . Disassembling Rugers is quite easy as the action pins in the cylinder frame (two of these) are not hard fit, but are instead retained by the loading gate spring and an elongated grip frame screw complete detail disassembly can be completed in less than 10 minutes with experience and few tools, that being said I prefer the look of the 3 screws in the Beretta frame and prefer the look and feel of the smaller (period correct) grip and period correct finish options and at the price offered seems like a real winner. Ruger has recently updated the Vaquero standard model with new features: a smaller grip, a cylinder that indexes intuitively, a smaller cylinder, and a smaller cylinder frame whether these updates will crop up in a redesigned Bisley is probable. Looking at the Ruger catalog the only new Bisleys listed are 7.5" barrel models, Ruger is probably still producing the other lengths just not listing them (like the 3 to 4 year overlap in service/security six production with the GP-100)

I hope this was helpful good luck :)
 
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If you truly want the Bisley gripframe, buy a Uberti. Berettas have been problematic. Check www.sixgunner.com Ruger no longer makes full size or any sized actually Bisleys. You could have your dealer check around.
 
If you must have a Bisley and can wait, I bet Ruger will resurrect it in their new "New Vaquero" line--though I cannot substantiate that. My vote regardless is for the Vaquero--will supposedly take any .45 load (as hot as you can make it)--though I have heard some say, since downsizing, that is not the new model's intent or perhaps ability?? (I would guess, still more so than the Colt clones) and if in doubt you can always locate an older (original) model Bisley Vaquero which definitely can take the hottest loads. A Bisley is stainless with dark/black grips would be just the ticket :) But, given your Beretta choice (which is not Bisley nor are any made right now), the Ruger in either new or old model with regular grip does an awfully nice nickel immitation with the stainless finish. I hear you re all the printing on the barrel though! (solve-able but at a price). The older model is a bit on the weighty side compared to either the clones or New model Vaquero; not an issue (though a plus) if you're into hot loads.

In short, I like the idea that you can abuse (not that you should) a Vaquero all day long and it will keep coming back for more. Not sure you can say that about the clones, as nice as some of them truly are.
 
Uberti Cattleman and Beretta stampede are the same gun, Beretta owns about 75% of Uberti, but I believe that Berattas have a transfer bar

I own a Cattleman and an old model Vaquero, I used to own a Bisley SuperBlackhawk, so here goes

Cattleman..
More authentic 4 click cock

More authentic half cock open gate loading

Easier to load

More authentic and much richer bluing and case hardening

SA Caliber ** on barrel


Ruger..
Wimpy unimpressive 2 click cocking

No half cock just open gate to load

Can carry with 6 rounds

Stronger built gun

Owners manual printed on barrel

Bisley Grip
A little longer so gives a better hand hold

Recoil is different, instead of twisting to the right the gun recoils more upward
 
My understanding is that the New model Vaqueros have "correct" indexing/lining up for loading and ejecting--like the SAAs and their clones.
 
but haven't the new vaqueros had a problem with the frame mounted firing pin sticking?
They do index properly, have a better ejector rod knob, and have the old XR-3 frame that's very similar to a Colt, and have a reasonable frame size. I was impressed with the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk I handled, want one, but am going to wait until the bugs are worked out, if any.
 
I have held the Beretta Stampede, but not shot one. It is a well finished handgun, exactly what one would expect from Beretta. It also has a silly Beretta medallion spoiling the looks of the gun. I'm not sure, but I believe they are made by Uberti.

Uberti also makes thier own version.

If I were to get another SAA, I would get a Cimarron. Yep, Uberti also makes Cimarrons. The Cimarron is finished to a much higher standard than a regular Uberti though, and you can even get an aged finish that is pretty darned convincing until you read the rollmark. Prices are comparable, and the selection and authenticity are better.

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Up where I live it's not possible to find a wheelie to feel up, ahh, fondle, err, hold in your hand...Only if by chance one of the 2 1/2 gun shops just happens to have what you're looking for. They never do! So this is a gun I've been going back and fourth on, hoping to make the right decision. After reading your posts I'm now leaning hard toward the Ruger Vaquero 5.5Brl, SS, .45 Colt. This is the old Vaquero, as opposed to the new vaquero...But I'm going to read all of the posts again tomorrow when my eyes are in better shape. So keep posting, no decision yet... :confused:

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I know, when is that old fart gonna make up his mind!!! :rolleyes:
 
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How far north you located, Bullrock? Caribou? :D
The Kittery Trading Post would offer you a lovely selection to fondle if you're within driving distance.
 
Utah - good idea to wait a bit til they get it perfect if those reports are true. Xavier's right about the Cimarrons. And Bullrock, the old Vaquero's not a bad choice if you don't mind the larger and heavier frame. At least you know it'll handle whatever load you can throw at it--the main reason (ruggedness) to get a Ruger IMO as well as the full 6 rd capacity, which I realize a few others are providing now as well...and I believe can probably find a convertible .45ACP cylinder laying around somewhere to play with if that's a desire.
 
I'll Be damned!

After re-reading all your posts, I called a local gun dealer, who told me he had a used Ruger Blackhawk, a new Bisley blued, and a used Vaquero I could fondle. I almost dropped the phone, charged over there, without bothering to hitch my horse, and got to do some immediate fondling... ;)

I didn't like the used Blackhawk. I don't see how anyone could clear leather very fast with that huge front sight sticking out...(sorry Johathan)

I really didn't like the new Bisley. Nice balance, and tooling, but the blueing just didn't attract my eye.

Then I got to fondle a slightly used Vaquero, just like the one I posted with the only difference being a 4 & 5/8" Brl. I took it apart, checked it all out, and it is like new!!! :cool:

The dealer sold the gun about a year ago. The buyer got married, had a baby, and his wifes wants all of the guns gone, so he brought it back to the dealer. It is on a 15 day wait to be resold, I have it on hold, and the dealer is working up a price.

This isn't a done deal, so your opinions are still very much appreciated if you care to post... :)

Oh yeah, While I was there the dealer hauled out a Colt Buntline Special. The same one that was used by Hugh Grant when he played Wyatt Erp, back in the early days of TV. I have never liked the long barrell on the Buntline. But the action on that thing was to die for. It's for sale on consignment. I think I remember the price being around $3,400.00. So it's been a really nice day at the BullRock Ranch. Lot's of handgun fondling... :D
 
Go with the choice of the pros

Yogi shoots matching, sequentially numbered Vaqueros in .44Magnum, and he likes the 7&1/2 inch barrel:
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Nice! :D Wasn't that pic in the latest Guns of the Old West?

I hear Quickdraw McGraw is a confirmed 2d gen Colt man. Tuned Peacemaker Specialists in .45 LC.
 
The Beretta is a nice SA. Shoots well. Good balance. As far as problems, the first ones had some but they shouldn't be in the pipeline anymore. Bought mine a few months ago and it has no problems. I take it with me to the range most of the time.

As stated earlier in this thread the Ruger New Vaquero is also a nice SA.

USFA's SAs are excellent, bar none.

The Vaquero is a little too big, but is a great shooter.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Stampede.
 
Hey Carbine, Nice post! Lightened me up a little!!! :)

Hey nightman, thanks for the information. If there is a lemon out there, they know who I am. Can you imagine anyone getting a bad SP101??? Me!!!

I like those 4 clicks in the Colts and Berettas, but that damn Vaquero is just beautiful... :)
 
I have handled the beretta stampede deluxe,and found it to be a very nice gun,also have handled the ruger and the uberti cattleman.I personally like the uberti as my choice.very nice finish,well put together,very authentic feel.I like the charcoal bluing with the case hardened finish that is one sweet looking gun. :D wouldn't mind having that in my collection.
 
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