Cowboy 44 mag. Ruger or Uberti?
- Thread starter Bernie Link
- Start date
I'm glad you have had better luck with your new models. If you ever do have that problem (hopefully not while there is a wounded boar that needs finishing off) you can point it straight up at the sky and the transfer bar will fall back and you can then cock the hammer. When you get back from your hunting trip you can look to that hole where the spring and plunger are and clean any rust or crud that is keeping it from pushing that transfer bar back. Or have a gunsmith do it. Or just get an old model and forget about it.
FloridaVeteran
New member
MJN77 - thanks for the ID. Just checked the blue book. Glad I didn't pay any more than I did! I gather this is the "New Model Frame SAA," since it has the brass trigger guard that is not mentioned on the standard Buckhorn ("brass or steel backstrap). Adding $40 for the target model and subtracting $51 for the brass frame & grip doesn't leave me with an all-time bargain. Oh, well - really only bought because I don't have anything else in .44 and wasn't looking to spend serious money to correct that.
Forgot to mention that it has American Arms Inc. cut into the top of the barrel.
Forgot to mention that it has American Arms Inc. cut into the top of the barrel.
I have heard the same - that they'll yellow, though not necessarily fast according to some accounts. YMMV - there may be some ways of use...just plain use/exposure perhaps... that'll accelerate, I don't know. I would like mine to, but they are also nice the way they are if they stay the same. Holly is a light wood, but I like that it is naturally yellowed somewhat and not too light. My pair look a lot like medium-aged ivory to me. As I said, it (and another set I have) haven't seen a lot of use since I put them on.
Some say they are a fairly soft wood and can be prone to dings - more so than some other often used woods. I can see that they could be vulnerable to heavy:harsh use, though mine seem to have a fairly decent "shell" of finish (multiple coats of tru oil and what else I forget)--but are not heavily "varnished." (Heavy varnish I've heard can slow/inhibit yellowin btw). For those where possible softness might be an issue, paper micarta can be a great alternative. I've seen some of those that look a lot like aged ivory as well. For the time being I'm very happy with my hollys; we'll see how they hold up with increased use.
Here's another nice set - pretty consistent. Grips are by Carl "Private" Schultz (Others are elk seconds via a different maker - missing bark I actually like!)
Some say they are a fairly soft wood and can be prone to dings - more so than some other often used woods. I can see that they could be vulnerable to heavy:harsh use, though mine seem to have a fairly decent "shell" of finish (multiple coats of tru oil and what else I forget)--but are not heavily "varnished." (Heavy varnish I've heard can slow/inhibit yellowin btw). For those where possible softness might be an issue, paper micarta can be a great alternative. I've seen some of those that look a lot like aged ivory as well. For the time being I'm very happy with my hollys; we'll see how they hold up with increased use.
Here's another nice set - pretty consistent. Grips are by Carl "Private" Schultz (Others are elk seconds via a different maker - missing bark I actually like!)
Last edited:
FloridaVeteran
New member
Gak - #30 is very nice, particularly for me because I like like 5 1/2" plus. Who did the case hardening for you?
Keep in mind that loading 45 Colt to near 44 Magnum levels is only cool in a Vaquero(Large Frame) ... NOT a "New Vaquero".(Medium Frame).
They say the "New Vaquero" is good to about 20,000 psi, which is a good bit shy of 44 Mag.(36,000 psi) territory.
Ruger was really foolish with the name game here. The 45 New Vaquero IS NOT rated for published "Ruger/Freedom Arms Only" type loads.
Florida Veteran said
" Gak - #30 is very nice, particularly for me because I like like 5 1/2" plus. Who did the case hardening for you?"
Regarding the "case hardening," this is how all the old/original large frame Vaqueros came (if blued) from the factory. As you can tell from another Vaquero thread running now, this "effect" - which was a superficial chemical treatment - was not met with enthusiasm by all. It is not as good as "real" color case treatments (in many examples an understatement) but mine is not bad...and I still think I prefer over Ruger's current all-blue treatment on the New Vaqueros. A fixed sight blued siingle action to me just "needs" a CCH treatment!
The New Vaqueros - starting in 2005 or so - also had the treatment for the first few years of its run 'til rust and/or appearance complaints got to Ruger and they discontinued the look altogether. (2007/08-ish?). My early New Vaquero is not as "good" a treatment even as this earlier Vaquero (pictured)--though I've neve had any of the rust issues reported by some--and there's some suggestion that.Ruger may have changed their process--perhaps thinking less rusting?--but to a lesser cosmetic effect. I don't know. I might leave this one (.44 Mag) alone as it's been fine for me, but I'd love to have Doug Turnbull (or other) "redo" my early (2005/06 or so) New Vaquero. I've had plans (dream) for a caliber conversion on that one anyway--from current .357 to .38-40/.40 S&W convertible--so when funds allow, a Turnbull-like "CCH" treatment would be a part of that. Unfortunately that may be awhile! (Other than Turnbull, who afaik mostly works with/subcontracts to smiths like Bowen, Clements, etc, performing other more extensive work for customers), there is a very small handful of "known" folks out there that also do a nice "cc" treatment on Rugers).
" Gak - #30 is very nice, particularly for me because I like like 5 1/2" plus. Who did the case hardening for you?"
Regarding the "case hardening," this is how all the old/original large frame Vaqueros came (if blued) from the factory. As you can tell from another Vaquero thread running now, this "effect" - which was a superficial chemical treatment - was not met with enthusiasm by all. It is not as good as "real" color case treatments (in many examples an understatement) but mine is not bad...and I still think I prefer over Ruger's current all-blue treatment on the New Vaqueros. A fixed sight blued siingle action to me just "needs" a CCH treatment!
The New Vaqueros - starting in 2005 or so - also had the treatment for the first few years of its run 'til rust and/or appearance complaints got to Ruger and they discontinued the look altogether. (2007/08-ish?). My early New Vaquero is not as "good" a treatment even as this earlier Vaquero (pictured)--though I've neve had any of the rust issues reported by some--and there's some suggestion that.Ruger may have changed their process--perhaps thinking less rusting?--but to a lesser cosmetic effect. I don't know. I might leave this one (.44 Mag) alone as it's been fine for me, but I'd love to have Doug Turnbull (or other) "redo" my early (2005/06 or so) New Vaquero. I've had plans (dream) for a caliber conversion on that one anyway--from current .357 to .38-40/.40 S&W convertible--so when funds allow, a Turnbull-like "CCH" treatment would be a part of that. Unfortunately that may be awhile! (Other than Turnbull, who afaik mostly works with/subcontracts to smiths like Bowen, Clements, etc, performing other more extensive work for customers), there is a very small handful of "known" folks out there that also do a nice "cc" treatment on Rugers).
Last edited:
youngunz4life
New member
if I am choosing which one to purchase at this moment then the cowboy gets the nod..but I would like the smaller ruger too(sortof like my gp100 6" and smaller s&w for my 357s
Thanks, I think for the money Private Schultz is the best grip maker out there. His work is top of the line and his prices are below a lot if his competitors. I have also gotten a couple from a poster on rugerforum.com and rugerforum.net that I really like. He goes by 41magnum and list his grips in the classifieds. He is also very reasonable with his prices. I think you sold me on some Holly. That will be the next grip purchase I make.
FairWarning
New member
Have you seen websites such as Buffalo Bore where they sell "Ruger Only" loads? 
Yeah. Any more questions? (OK this mostly applies to .45 LC, but Ruger is known for making TANKS).
Yeah. Any more questions? (OK this mostly applies to .45 LC, but Ruger is known for making TANKS).Have you seen websites such as Buffalo Bore where they sell "Ruger Only" loads?
Yeah they actually sell buffalo bore locally at my big box store. I reload so I have not tried buffalo bore myself but most reloading manuals have a "Ruger only" section in them. I have loaded plenty of hot ruger only rounds in my rugers. It doesn't phase them a bit