Lone Ranger's guns

J

jlflegal

New member
My wife asked me today when I got home from a gun show empty handed (just could NOT decide on anything) what was my favorite cowboy growing up. That was easy-Clayton Moore, THE Lone Ranger!

So, she says, why don't you get a gun just like his (I know I know he carried two).

Guys, help me out, what would that be?
 
Far as I know they were two silver plated .45 colt Peacemakers with 4-3/4 barrels and ivory grips. EXPENSIVE!!!
 
Isn't the internet wonderful?

I did a Google Search on Clayton Moore and found this, among several others - - -

http://www.celebhost.net/claytonmoore/ranger1.html

I recalled the Lone Ranger carried Colt Single Action Army (SAA) .45 revolvers. The publicity stills depict both blue 5-1/2 inch barrelled and blue and nickle 4-3/4 models. All have mother of pearl stocks.

Looks as if you need to acquire three different guns, or, better still, three PAIRS of revolvers. I understand this may be a burden, jlflegal, but try to keep a stiff uppper lip.;)

Best,
Johnny
 
Well, I got my answer, thank you very much, but the price tag is hair raising!! I checked with Auction Arms and Gunsamerica and $1200-1500 price tags were typical. Gulp.

Now, let me ask this: what modern and affordable replica would you recommend I look for?
 
I know that Lone Ranger purists will think this sacreligous, but you did say affordable. How about a Ruger Blackhawk Vaquero .45 Long Colt in stainless?
 
Try looking on your auction sites for a SAA clone called the Rodeo. It is made by US Firearms in Hartford under the old Colt blue dome. Their work is good and the Rodeo sells for under 500 dollars. You could use them for a while and then get them nickel plated at your convenience. They are an exact copy of a First Generation Colt SAA.
 
The US Firearms Rodeo and the Cimmaron P are 2 affordable Colt clone style revolvers. Both are pretty well made, although I give the nod to the Rodeo.

Rugers are strong and can take a beating with heavy loads, but they are not even remotely similar to Colt SAA clones. The chambers to not line up correctly on the New model Rugers to eject the empties, and New Model Rugers do not even use a half-cock. Rugers also lack the hammer mounted firing pin.

Rugers have 2 clicks when you pull the hammer back, Colt clones make 4 clicks. Even the grip and balance do not feel right on the Ruger, compared to a Colt or Colt clone.

I own a few Ruger single action revolvers, but I bought them to shoot often, and I don't have to worry about babying them with light loads. OTOH, with the Cimmaron and US Firearms Rodeo, they are suseptable to going out of time with heavy loads, and are not meant to be fired often (except with the lightest Cowboy loads).

Since you seem to want something very similar to an original Colt SAA, I would recommend the Rodeo.
 
Hmmm Never noticed before that the Lone Ranger is wearing some sort of tights. Were these riding pants at the time the serial was made or just standard super hero garb?
 
Sounds like you have a green light to make purchases. Whatever you do, DO NOT ask her what her favorite TV show/hero was--this could get expensive-quick!
 
A slightly unconventional option: Ruger has the "Baby Vaquero" in 32Magnum, on the Single Six frame size and with a slightly smaller grip than what comes with regular Vaqueros. The overall size and heft of this is ballpark close to an orginal SAA.

The 32Magnum can do pretty much everything the .38Spl can, roughly. You'll be able to throw 85grain JHPs at around 1,200fps+. Or the same gun can shoot 32S&W, 32S&WLong and weirdly enough, 32ACP fodder.

Remember that the Rugers (full size and "baby" type) have real transfer-bar safeties. You can carry them fully loaded, six shots, and they won't go off if dropped - they are as safe as any modern DA revolver in that respect. The Rodeo and Italian "close clones" of the Colt Peacemaker are NOT like that, the safety is to load 'em five-up and lower the hammer on the empty cylinder.

There's a ton of aftermarket parts for Vaqueros. You can put on a smaller gripframe (at least three different types available) and use any of three types of hammers, to tune the "feel" to whatever you want. The full-size Vaqueros are incredibly strong, with the 357 version virtually unbreakable since the frame and metallurgy are the same between that and their .44Mag version.

See also this thread for various aftermarket bits available:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80872
 
I just looked.

I cannot believe the grips are mother of pearl.

They must be ivory. There are suitable substitutes for ivory.

The revolvers themselves should be at least copies of the original Colt SAA.
 
Well I have A Ruger Vaquero...

in gasp .357 magnum. Oh the humanity, the sacralidge...ok now that this out of the way. I really like it alot and it is built like a tank. Mine ejects empties just fine, after a little shooting to loosin' up the chambers. All in all a great gun to play cowboy with.

All that being said it feels nothing like a nice Colt or Colt SAA clone. Everybody is right about the balance and feel. Heck I can even carry a full 6 chambers with the Ruger, this is a big no no with real SAAs. Load 5 and hammer down on an empty chamber.

I would love a real Colt SAA but that just isn't in the budget. Am I a bit sorry to have my Ruger Vaquero. Not one bit.

Here is a picture of mine.

P1001646.jpg
 
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