Recommend a Single-Action Revolver

C

Captains1911

New member
Of all the guns I own I don't have a single-action revolver in my collection, and I am thinking of adding one. I do not plan on shooting cowboy action or putting tons of rounds through it, but rather just to round out my collection, and potentially use for demonstration purposes for future basic classes I may be instructing. Since I do not know a whole lot about them other than how they function, what are some decent ones I should be looking at in the $500 or so price range? I would prefer either .357/.38 SPL or .45 Colt. Thanks for the help.
 
Really only one answer for quality, durability and decades having proved itself:

The Ruger Blackhawk (adjustable sights) in .38/.357 with extra 9 mm cylinder
The Ruger Blackhawk (adjustable sights) in .45 Colt with extra .45 ACP
cylinder

OR

The Ruger Vaquero (fixed sights---more like a 19th Century SAA)

The Blackhawks lineage dates back to the 1950s and their reputation is impeccable.

You should be able to find used in your price range though not necessarily with the extra cylinders. I don't think new ones are much more.
 
Two directions to look.
1. Do you want adjustable sights, and more modern innards like coils springs, but maintaining a somewhat "old time" look?
If so, Ruger Blackhawk
(1a) A little more traditional S/A Cowboy look with fixed sights, Ruger Vaquero.
2. A much more authentic "clone" of the Colt SAA, look at the various models made by Uberti.
The Cimarron Pistolero is a value priced SAA copy made by Uberti. If a faux case harden frame finish, and mat black cylinder and barrel is OK with you they can be had for under $400. I am very happy with mine from BPS on sale for something like $339.00 when I bought it a few years ago.the only thing is it does hit quite low, but the front sight is very tall allowing for some removal to get my final choice of load to get to POA.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/cartridge-revolvers/value.html#
 
Two directions to look.
1. Do you want adjustable sights, and more modern innards like coils springs, but maintaining a somewhat "old time" look?
If so, Ruger Blackhawk
(1a) A little more traditional S/A Cowboy look with fixed sights, Ruger Vaquero.
2. A much more authentic "clone" of the Colt SAA, look at the various models made by Uberti.
The Cimarron Pistolero is a value priced SAA copy made by Uberti. If a faux case harden frame finish, and mat black cylinder and barrel is OK with you they can be had for under $400. I am very happy with mine from BPS on sale for something like $339.00 when I bought it a few years ago.the only thing is it does hit quite low, but the front sight is very tall allowing for some removal to get my final choice of load to get to POA.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/car...rs/value.html#
Click to expand...

I was actually looking at the Uberti 1873 Replicas.
 
If you were going to shoot the gun a lot, Ruger would be the choice, with no questions.

But for a gun that will be an example of the "cowboy" gun, I would go with "the real thing" and if I could afford it, buy a Colt. Ubertis are good guns, and there are other Italian replicas. They are a lot less expensive, but they are not Colts.

Jim
 
I wouldn't get a Ruger unless it is one the ones on whuch the chambers line up with the loading gate like an SAA. My Ruger 44 S&W Special New Model Blackhawk Flat Top does line up beautifully, but tother calibers do not. I have the same gun in 41 Magnum and the chambers have to be manually aligned. If you miss the click, you have to go all the way around. That is a deal breaker for me. My 45 Colt Vaquero lines up well but shoots like crap. I am trying to work that out.

I have four of the Uberti makes of various marketing brands. They work like SAA guns, except I can carry a round in all six cylinders safely.They are superb in my mind. I like the prices. All mine are 38 Special in the reduced frame size ala Colt Lightning. I plan to get a 45 Colt, probably the Uberti El Patron in 4 5/8".

I don't shoot Cowboy action or any competition, so I don't care about attributes found only in expensive guns, as long as what I have shoots well, or my gunsmith can improve it.
 
I was actually looking at the Uberti 1873 Replicas.
Click to expand...

I have two of them, both are Cimarron Uberti guns, one is the 1873 model the other is the Bisley model.

Both guns are very well made, fit and finish is outstanding.

Both seem to be very accurate, the 1873 model now has over 8500 rounds through it, most of those are pretty stout loads (tier II loads).

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
 
Really only one answer for quality, durability and decades having proved itself:
Click to expand...

I'll disagree and vote for Freedom Arms. I mean, if you are going to go over his budget, might as well go for greatness......;)
 
The only SAA replica that looked and felt like the original was the now-gone USFA. Even the modern Colt feels different. Ubertis are good guns, but those European walnut grips just don't look right!

Jim
 
I have owned a couple of Ruger SA and a couple of Colt 1873 replicas. I prefer the Rugers. A Blackhawk or Vaquero 357 would be a versatile choice. Get the one with a 9mm cylinder and you will have three calibers in one.
 
I would vote a Blackhawk convertible in either 357/9mm or 45LC/45ACP. No you do not need moon clips in these as the cylinders are bored so the 9mm or 45 ACP will not drop through.

 
I have the Uberti cattleman 7.5" .45colt and the Cimarron frontier old model .357

Both are awesome shooters and available at a good price... Both essentially look like this
 

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I would also give a nod to the Blackhawk/Vaquero. They are definitely a well made, overbuilt ,workhorse, very accurate and very affordable. The first pistol I ever fired was my Dad's .357 Blackhawk (with .38 loads) and I currently own a Vaquero and have no complaints about either. I don't think you'll go wrong with either, just depends on which sights you prefer.

I will agree with JamesK, in that if I could afford one right now, I would get a Colt SAA, but that may come a little later :D
 
Just my opinion, of course, so take it for what it's worth.

I prefer a traditional SA revolver. The New Model Rugers are strong and work fine but are not traditional with the transfer bar system.

The Italian clones are OK. I have owned 4 of them over the years. But I also own one genuine Colt SAA and I found myself less and less enthralled with the clones after comparing to them to the real deal. The clones are now all sold off and I have acquired a second Colt and I am looking for another. Get a clone in one hand and a Colt in the other and you will understand the price difference.

Just my opinion. Others will speak of quality decline with Colt and how they aren't worth 3x the money of a Uberti. To me they are.

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Captains1911,

I already recommended the Rugers.

But I note you mention possibly using a single action for demonstration purposes in a class.

Just remind yourself that the post "three screw" Rugers are safer to load
with hammer down as opposed to the traditional SAA design which requires a move to half cock, load one, skip one chamber, load four more and then cocking hammer fully before releasing it down on empty chamber.

In other words, it's totally safe to carry six in a Ruger but only five in the traditional design.
 
Thanks for the reminder, and I am aware of those differences. I think for safety purposes it would be better to teach with the older style, because if students can learn to be safe with them then they should have no problem with the more modern ones.

At this point I am leaning hard towards the Uberti Cattleman Steel, 5.5", .357. I think it will fill the role nicely, and at least resemble the classic Colt.
 
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