Single action for ccw + hunting

S

slow

New member
Asked for opinions/experiences with stout .45 Colt in earlier post and now would like the same regarding the viability of carrying a single action of this caliber for ccw as well as use as a hunting piece. Hunting would be primarily whitetails or smaller and shots would be 50 yards max. Would a fixed sighted weapon like the Ruger Vaquero in 5.5" be adequate to fill these requirements? Should the barrel be shorter? Longer? Adjustable sights? Primarily the gun would be utilized for ccw.

Thanks, Brett
 
IF...
Gun and gunner get along, adjustability of sights is a moot point. Nobody going to adjust sights after things start happening anyway.

If you can put em where you want em...use it.
If not...don't.

Sam
 
The only problem with fixed sighted Vaqueros is if you plan on using a variety of loads in differing bullet weights you may have to play around to find loads that hit the same point of impact.

As far as carrying a single action revolver you are going to get many people here telling you not to do it. I won't, just remember the limitations of your chosen weapon and practice within those limits.

I would probably not go with the 5.5 inch barrel, but that is a personal choice i like the 4-5/8 barrels. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are few holster choices for carrying concealed and the ones out there are not in the $20-30 range.

I do carry a Vaquero as my CCW it is the 3-3/4 inch model with the Bird's head grip. The holster i use is a inside the waistband that was made for it by Black Hills Leather. It is not a light gun, but I have confidence in it and my abilities.

The bottom line is get what you want and shoot a lot until it is second nature.
 
the one thing with an SA revolver carry gun is lots of practice and try to get some quick reload tips from a cowboy action fella.
 
As far as hunting is concerned a 45 LC is an excellent choice.

I hand load and you can do amazing things with this round as long as your revolver is "up to snuff". My favorite field gun is a 5.5' Ruger Redhawk in 44 magnum (double action) but, as I said, 45 is an okay choice too. You mentioned that you wanted to carry it for concealed carry too. A bit large for that IMHO but it can be done with proper choice of holster and belt. Ruger Blackhawks are a nice choice for single action revolvers. Good shooting:)
 
Is your hand large enough to pull the hammer back single handed without adjusting your grip? This could become critical in a bad situation.

My fathers are, and at the range he is just a shade behind(speed-wise) my double action with his 44SBH, with accuracy as good as mine or better.
 
The problem with carrying an SA revolver for CCW is the gun cannot be put into a "state of ready" with a safety activated.

Not to preach to the choir, but a DA revolver is always ready to go with simply a pull of the trigger; the relatively heavy & long pull being considered a type of safety in itself. A DA semi-auto is similar, it may or may not have a safety also. SA semi-autos have a safety designed to be activated when the hammer is pulled back.

In each case, you can bring the gun to bear onto target in a state of ready with a mechanical system that safeguards against a nervous trigger finger. Once you pull the hammer back on a single action revolver, it is ready to rock & roll with little effort and must be pulled back for additional shots.

But - if that is what you want to do and are willing to work with it, I think that something betwen a 4.5" to 5.5" barrel would be the best compromise. For CCW use, I prefer fixed sights & practice with a "cheap load" that hits to the same POA as my carry load. As far as caliber, I'm wondering if .41 Mag wouldn't be the best choice - assuming you can load your own.

Have fun deciding!
 
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