Recommend a Single-Action Revolver

Whatever you get, I suggest you avoid the 357 Cimarron Frontier. Mine is a very pretty gun, but constant jamming makes it pretty much a wallhanger. Personally, I'd never buy another Cimarron gun. I guess knowing what to avoid helps one to figure out what to get, eh?
 
Ruger is about as trouble free as can be had

More traditional designs have various parts that tend to wear out.
The Blackhawk line is hell for stout and very good guns. Their Vaquero is more akin to the Colt 1873 and, while not as stout, are fine guns.
 
I suggest you avoid the 357 Cimarron Frontier. Mine is a very pretty gun, but constant jamming makes it pretty much a wallhanger.
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Could you describe what kind of "jamming" you are getting with a single action revolver?
 
Wish Captains1911 had immediately stated he wasn't looking at Rugers yet so many posters have recommended them. This thread now reads exactly like the one over on The Highroad forum in which people tout the Ruger and then are told
three quarters way down the thread by Captains1911 to forget it.
 
I never wrote here or on THR that Rugers were out of the picture, so I don't know where you are getting that from. I own more Rugers than any other single make of gun, and I always consider them. The only problem is in this case they break the budget (which I clearly provided in the OP). I am still considering them.
 
Quote:
"I suggest you avoid the 357 Cimarron Frontier. Mine is a very pretty gun, but constant jamming makes it pretty much a wallhanger."

LAZ: Could you describe what kind of "jamming" you are getting with a single action revolver?

The fired cartriges hang on the recoil shield at the rear of the gun, or at the loading gate pivot. This jams the cylinder rotation and the base pin has to be removed, along with the cylinder itself, to clear the gun. Very frustrating. I have smoothed out and "deburred" both the recoil shield and the loading gate pivot with limited success. Sometimes the fired primer jams, sometimes the cartrige head jams around the loading gate pivot. I think it is a headspace problem of some sort. I would not wish this upon another, hense the warning
 
Sometimes the fired primer jams, sometimes the cartrige head jams around the loading gate pivot. I think it is a headspace problem of some sort. I would not wish this upon another, hense the warning
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The cartridges headspace off the rim of the case, does this happen with one specific manufactures ammo or with all manufactures ammo you have tried?

Does it happen with unfired ammo or fired ammo?

Did you purchase the gun new and have this problem right front start?

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
 
Don't want to hijack this thread, but a bit more elaboration seems in order. It only jams on fired casings, otherwise I couldn't load it. The cylindar spins free until the cartridges are fired. The problem was from the getgo, the gun was new. I see no point to returning it as the cost would likely be prohibitive. I am sure Cimarron would weasel out of warrenty repair since I tried to deburr the recoil shield and loading gate. I'm stuck with it and just want to save someone else from grief.
 
I've used an Italian clone since the early 80's it still works fine.

It has the 7 1/2" barrel and black rubber grips just like the original SAA. The gun has no problem shooting a 250gr rn at 900fps and it shoots better than I do by a quite a bit.
 
choosing SA revolver

You'll have to decide barrel length - the original Colt was 7.5" -- good long sighting plane but long (and maybe unbalanced) - best in cross-draw or a dropped (below waist line) holster. 5.5" and 4.75" or the two other common lengths. Colts are very nice guns with traditional action that requires you to carry it with 1 cylinder empty. The Rugers have a transfer-bar mechanism that allows the gun to be carried with all 6 cylinders loaded. New or used, I'd start with a Ruger and pay for the Blackhawk (vs. Vaquero) to get the adjustable sights so you can zero on whatever ammo you like to use. As to caliber, 45C is traditional but 38Special is a lot cheaper.
 
Reiterating by quotations from the OP.

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
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what are some decent ones I should be looking at in the $500 or so price range
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The Uberti Colt SAA copies certainly look like they fit the requirements.
The adjustable sights, and other refinements, as well as the overbuilt construction of the Ruger aren't necessarily needed. While a Blackhawk, or Vaqero would not be a bad choice, and definitely the best choice for a hunting SA, something from Uberti would be easier on the budget.
As far as the transfer bar safety, I have an old model Super Blackhawk that I have carried deer hunting on and off for 40 years. I have never seen need to take Ruger up on their offer to modify it for free. I just load 5 rounds, and keep the hammer down on an empty chamber. If I shoot around or two, I reload to 5, and repeat the process. I don't even load six rounds at the range very often. I am usually shooting for five round groups anyway.
For the caliber, the 38/357 would be more versatile, but making those big 45 caliber holes in stuff is just more fun. However, if the OP doesn't reload, it is more costly.
 
I just purchased a Uberti Cattleman Steel, 5.5" Barrel, 45 Colt. I found it online for $439 new with free shipping. I think it should fit the bill. I decided on 45 Colt for the traditional aspect and the fact that I probably won't shoot it very much. Hopefully I will have it next week. Thanks for the all the help.
 
If your Uberti is like mine you should be very pleased with your choice.
Both of mine are in 45 Colt caliber, the only problem I have with mine is I don't like to quit shooting them.

It's a good thing I can handload for them.
Besides casting some of my own bullets I purchase some bullets, 4000 at a time.

Enjoy your Uberti revolver, I sure have mine.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
 
I'd vote for a Ruger Blackhawk for its adj. sights and great value/accuracy/strength. As to price, hell, if you can afford $500, you can afford $550 and get a lot better gun out of the deal plus there's always the used market.

I own several Vaqueros, new and old, but unless they shoot to point of aim, they are a RPITA to adjust. The Blackhawk's adj. sights make all the difference. All of my Vaqueros have been "off" in windage to some extent or other, and fixing that problem is tough. Elevation is not a problem if you have a file and some cold blue, however.

I once broke the front sight off a baby Vaquero in .32 H&R trying to bend the front sight in the required direction. I managed to silver solder it back on and in the desired direction, but a better plan was to send the gun back to Ruger or to a known, good gunsmith to get the barrel turned for sight alignment.

I've also widened the notch on a New Vaquero in.45 LC to allow more light around the front sight blade and also to correct a 2" left point of impact. It worked out to perfection, but 2" is about the absolute max for my hold and the width of the rear strap vs. sight blade light issue.

As to multiple cylinder Rugers (45 ACP and LC; .357 Magnum & 9mm), they have a spotty reputation, especially the 357/9mm, for lousy accuracy with the 9mm cylinder. The .45 is less so, but you still have to deal with point of impact variations. For me, there is a 3" difference at 25 yds between a .45 ACP and .45 LC cylinder. Luckily, they both shot to the same windage.

As to availability and expense; locally since the latest panic buying spree, .357/.38 Spl has been a lot easier to find than .45 Colt/45 ACP; and somewhat cheaper if memory serves.

HTH's Rod
 
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