I bought a Seville .357 Max. 7 1/2" this gun came with it's original box and paper work, The gun was shot very little. I understand the .357 Max has a bad rep. for flame cutting the top strap. Can anyone give me any info on the Seville? it looks like a ruger and is super smooth, seems to be a very well built revolver. I plan to reload for this gun. (any info on hand loading this cartridge also) Any info is much appreciated.
Seville revolvers
- Thread starter solocam
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
Here's what I can find:
"The Seville Stainless revolver is a scarce and interesting handgun. United Sporting Arms closed its doors in 1986. Some revolvers chambered for the .454 Casull were assembled from parts at that time and may not have undergone proper quality control and/or test firing. These should be regarded with caution. The .357 Maximum was offered only in the 101⁄2- inch barrel length. It should prove serviceable with the .357 Maximum cartridge. Value for this unusual piece should be $600-plus."
Seville was made by United Sporting Arms, Inc of Tucson, AZ. The company folded in 1986.
There were a number of versions and calibers offered including .357 Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .357 Maxi, .375 USA, .454 Mag.
A 3 1/2" Sheriff's Model was made in .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Special. .44 Mag, and .45 Colt.
Guns were produced in various finishes of stainless and a mix of stainless and blue and in various barrel lengths.
Models were the Stainless, Silver Seville, Silver Seville Silhouette, and Sheriff Model.
In late 1986 some .454 Magnum guns were made up from parts bought from the manufacture and assembled into working guns.
These gun were NOT subject to ANY kind of quality control and may be very dangerous to shoot.
Value ranges from a low of $425.00 for a new, standard Seville, to $750.00 for a genuine FACTORY .454 model.
"The Seville Stainless revolver is a scarce and interesting handgun. United Sporting Arms closed its doors in 1986. Some revolvers chambered for the .454 Casull were assembled from parts at that time and may not have undergone proper quality control and/or test firing. These should be regarded with caution. The .357 Maximum was offered only in the 101⁄2- inch barrel length. It should prove serviceable with the .357 Maximum cartridge. Value for this unusual piece should be $600-plus."
Seville was made by United Sporting Arms, Inc of Tucson, AZ. The company folded in 1986.
There were a number of versions and calibers offered including .357 Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .357 Maxi, .375 USA, .454 Mag.
A 3 1/2" Sheriff's Model was made in .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Special. .44 Mag, and .45 Colt.
Guns were produced in various finishes of stainless and a mix of stainless and blue and in various barrel lengths.
Models were the Stainless, Silver Seville, Silver Seville Silhouette, and Sheriff Model.
In late 1986 some .454 Magnum guns were made up from parts bought from the manufacture and assembled into working guns.
These gun were NOT subject to ANY kind of quality control and may be very dangerous to shoot.
Value ranges from a low of $425.00 for a new, standard Seville, to $750.00 for a genuine FACTORY .454 model.
Go to this site and click on "United Sporting Arms Seville" for the full history.
http://www.singleactions.com/articles.html
Jim
http://www.singleactions.com/articles.html
Jim
seville
I worked for United Sporting Arms. My dad owned the company in Tucson until 1984 when my mom was diagonsed w/ cancer. The company was in chapter 11 at that time. The company moved in late 1984 to PA then was sold to a company in Idaho. Then about a year later went belly up. The Idaho qualitywas not up to the previous companies. As part of an agreement w/ the Bancruptcy court my dad made about 250 guns after leaving United Sporting Arms. They were of the HIGHEST QUALITY despite a lot of reports of them not going thru quality checks. They were probably checked more then before. The article by Lee Martin at www.singleactions.com is an excellent way to learn about the Seville's. As for the 357 Maxi it is a great gun. They were also made in 7 1/2" barrel lenghts. I also have a Quick Kit in 357 Maxi with 3 barrels, a 5 1/2, 7 1/2, and 10 1/2".They never showed signs of top strap cutting. The Rugers were not made of stainless as were all Seville Stainless. If you search
" seville " in this forum you should find another thread about it. Please feel free to contact me directly at himmel987@aol.com. Also would be interested to know serial number and box color. this will help me give you more info. There is a lot of misinformation about the Seville's out there so be careful.
John Himmelmann
Seville
I worked for United Sporting Arms. My dad owned the company in Tucson until 1984 when my mom was diagonsed w/ cancer. The company was in chapter 11 at that time. The company moved in late 1984 to PA then was sold to a company in Idaho. Then about a year later went belly up. The Idaho qualitywas not up to the previous companies. As part of an agreement w/ the Bancruptcy court my dad made about 250 guns after leaving United Sporting Arms. They were of the HIGHEST QUALITY despite a lot of reports of them not going thru quality checks. They were probably checked more then before. The article by Lee Martin at www.singleactions.com is an excellent way to learn about the Seville's. As for the 357 Maxi it is a great gun. They were also made in 7 1/2" barrel lenghts. I also have a Quick Kit in 357 Maxi with 3 barrels, a 5 1/2, 7 1/2, and 10 1/2".They never showed signs of top strap cutting. The Rugers were not made of stainless as were all Seville Stainless. If you search
" seville " in this forum you should find another thread about it. Please feel free to contact me directly at himmel987@aol.com. Also would be interested to know serial number and box color. this will help me give you more info. There is a lot of misinformation about the Seville's out there so be careful.
John Himmelmann
Seville
There is a 357 maximum seville up for auction on gunbroker at this time.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=64479845
Jim
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=64479845
Jim
I can concurr with John. The 357 Max got it's bad rep in revolversmainly due to Ruger, and it's ill fated SRM revolver (Which I still beleive is capable, but not optimal, for the cartridge). Elgin Gates first went to Ruger to build a gun for this caliber, which Bill Ruger committed to do. Problem was, Dan Wesson, through their Super MAg's, and United Sporting Arms, through their Seville, beat them to market with them. I am unclear as to which one was actually first, and since I own a Dan Wesson, serial number 0000157*, and Seville number 0207*, I can say with assurity, they were BOTH made prior to Ruger's announcement in 1981 and first delivery in 1982 of the SRM. Both mine are confirmed made in 1979 or 1980.
A point of pride is that my Dan Wesson was made when Dan Wesson himself was running the Company and very hands on, and my Seville was made when Sig Himmelmann was running Sporting Arms inc, and was also very hands on. And the quality difference is AMAZING.
If the caliber were to have been left to the pro's, instead of the salemen and market saavy, the 357 Maximum would be a whole different story today. As it is, well, Ruger doomed it. And that is that.
A point of pride is that my Dan Wesson was made when Dan Wesson himself was running the Company and very hands on, and my Seville was made when Sig Himmelmann was running Sporting Arms inc, and was also very hands on. And the quality difference is AMAZING.
If the caliber were to have been left to the pro's, instead of the salemen and market saavy, the 357 Maximum would be a whole different story today. As it is, well, Ruger doomed it. And that is that.
crackshot2
Inactive
seville revolvers
I have two of these guns. Serial numbers are in sequence. Does anyone know the value of these guns?
I have two of these guns. Serial numbers are in sequence. Does anyone know the value of these guns?
On the issue of flame cutting, I will add that most of that problem came from folks trying to push lightweight bullets as fast as possible. Lots of slow burning power under a light bullet makes for a LOT of flame and gas coming out of the barrel/cylinder gap.
All of the SuperMag cartridges, including the Maximum, were intended to push heavier bullets out at "standard bullet" velocities. In other words, the object was to get the same velocity out of a 180 or 200 grain bullet in the .357 Max. as a .357 Magnum with a 158 grain bullet. When loaded this way, flame cutting was/is minimal to nonexistent.
All of the SuperMag cartridges, including the Maximum, were intended to push heavier bullets out at "standard bullet" velocities. In other words, the object was to get the same velocity out of a 180 or 200 grain bullet in the .357 Max. as a .357 Magnum with a 158 grain bullet. When loaded this way, flame cutting was/is minimal to nonexistent.
savagecornmuffin
New member
I have a 357 max SBH. The top is deeply flamecut. Still, there's so much top strap it wouldn't make a difference. I've had 2 gunsmith's agree with me on that. I shoot 158gr bullet over a lot of powder from that revolver. It's accurate and stupid loud. I had a H&R cropped to 16 inches and reamed out to 357 max and quit shooting the revolver. I've always toyed with the idea of having Gary Reeder make a 5 shot cylinder and tighten the gap so I could shot the same load in the revolver as I shoot in the rifle. I'm just to tight-fisted with money.
As was mentioned, stick with heavier bullets. 158gr or heavier. You can see the difference in flash around the cylinder when shooting 125gr vs 158gr. We tried it. Hot loaded 125s will light up the world at dusk. Also, if you check the ballistics, there is absolute no reason to shoot bullets lighter than 158gr in that gun.
As was mentioned, stick with heavier bullets. 158gr or heavier. You can see the difference in flash around the cylinder when shooting 125gr vs 158gr. We tried it. Hot loaded 125s will light up the world at dusk. Also, if you check the ballistics, there is absolute no reason to shoot bullets lighter than 158gr in that gun.