the end of my rope...

G

GunsnRovers

New member
The end is near. Our family budget gives me room for one more handgun before the end of the year. I refuse to participate in the PRK's new handgun laws for 2003 so this will be my last handgun purchase so long as I remain a PRK resident. Based on employment and our families, that's not going to change soon. My desire for a more firearms friendly state is outweighed by my desire to ensure my son has his grandparents close by.

My search for a used/older M625 has proven fruitless. I will not buy a new S&W as I don't like manufactures who decide for me what is safe and not safe. I've handled firearms for some time now and can do that on my own thank you. However, I think I have found my alternative. I got the chance to handle a US Fire Arms Rodeo today. The workmanship, feel, quality, etc., seems very very high. I was very impressed with it compared to the clones and the entry level Colt.

The decision I have to make is what caliber. I can get the gun in .38. That would be the easy choice as I have 3 other .38/.357 handguns (including my first gun, a Blackhawk in .357) and there are very affordable lever guns I can pick up to match it.

However, .45LC is calling my name. A Rodeo with a 4 5/8" barrel in .45LC would be a nice touch to finish out my collection. It would, however, mean a new caliber to gear up for.

Decisions. Decisions.

Anyway, help me make up my mind.

Jeff
 
EVERYONE needs a .45 Colt handgun (Mine's in the form of a TC Contender with a .45/.410 barrel)

the Rodeo in .45 oughtta be TONS-0-FUN...

the other thing to think about might be a Contender, as then you can add barrels at ANY time, and have different calibers, even in PRK... (apparently even AFTER the 3002 bulldung, as ;ong as you already have the frame!)
 
What about Dan Wessons?

Can you swap cylinders and barrels on them to change calibers?

Personally, I don't have a problem with S&W. At least they make the effort to safety test their guns in CA.

Steve
 
SteveC...

As a rule, Dan Wessons (I have 2) have interchangable BARRELS, for length and shroud design only... NOT for caliber changes... (at least that I have seen)

My Dan's both have interchangable barrels, and I have a few for each... but each retains it's origianl cylinder and caliber.
 
Sorry to hear your search was fruitless. Earlier this year I bought a Ruger Vacquero 4 5/8" with the .45lc and .45acp cylinders. So far it has worked great and it is nice to be able to shoot the relatively cheap acp rounds in it. Picked it up for $399 at a shop in northern ca.

Never heard of the Rodeo though. There are lots of good replica revolvers out now so it should be pretty nice. Just have to remember that most of them don't have modified hammers like the blackhawks so you still must carry with hammer on an empty barrel.

I'm with you on getting all the purchases in this year. I pick up a Ruger GP100 tomorrow, and I am going to try and squeeze a Redhawk in before the end of the year. Maybe one more if I can talk the wife into giving me another gun as an anniversary present. :D
 
I was so fascinated by the matte blue finish and fine fit on the Rodeo that I bought 2 of them. In MD we are also up against a deadline in that every handgun sold in the state that is made after January has to have some kind of safety lock; the actual rules have not been written yet, but the traditional single action will certainly be no longer available.

I am going to get another US Firearms gun before that, this time a blue and case one, though they are a lot more than the $505 of the Rodeo.

Considering the shootings here in MD, I am pretty sure the Democrats will ride the hearses into office and no one knows what new laws they will come up with. There is even suspicion that the antis have hired the triggerman to promote gun control; not so far fetched considering the anti press is coldly calculating the number of votes each dead body will mean for the Democratic candidate for governor.

Jim
 
Go with the 45 colt, fine cartridge, the rodeo is a nice looking firearm, don't own one yet but do have other 45 colts, luv um all.
 

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thanks

I'm looking forward to getting the Rodeo. I regret selling my EMF. I know it wasn't the best out there, but it was fun to shoot. I miss having a Colt style SA to shoot.

In the early part of 2003, I will pickup a nice .45LC lever gun to go with the Rodeo. A Yellow Boy would look really sharp... :D

I understand the mixed feelings about what to do with the 2003 laws. I've been playing the CA gun game for too long. I'm tired of it and, frankly, I have plenty of toys to enjoy. The money I would have spent on more guns can go for more ammo, some gunsmith work, and other things.

Jeff
 
Well, I can relate...

Actually I have added a few pistols this year, in anticipation of the new laws. While they are annoying, I guess I will stay here, until I start having to turn guns in - then this job-creating engineer will create some jobs elsewhere.

US Firearms has gotten rave reviews, from all I have heard. The Rodeo seems a good bet for those who like the feel of a .45 SAA, but aren't hung up on polished blue and case colors. I understand US Firearms also makes their .45LC cylinders a little thicker than a Colt SAA - it's still no Ruger Blackhawk, but it is a little stronger than the old Colt.

Me I am thinking hard about a Bisley Blackhawk, also one of those big bad .480's. I bought a SA 1911 .38 Super yesterday - which can of course receive 9x23 & 9x19 barrels to add to its versatility.

A Colt I really like (besides their 1911's) is the New Frontier SAA (the one with adjustable sights). Always wanted one in .44 Special, with 5.5" barrel. Beautiful gun, and arguably the most capable of Colt SAA's & their clones.

:)
 
buying spree

I've made a number of purchases this year as well. Until this year, I hadn't bought a handgun since 1994. Picked up a few long guns here and there.

Getting married, working a lot, other hobbies, having the baby, etc., kept me out of the gun shops.

As we entered 2002, I knew I had to make my short list of handguns. I wanted a Hi-Power (got it), a S&W N-Frame (got it), a J-Frame (got it), a K-Frame (never did find the right one), and a M625 (no dice). The .45LC SA wasn't really on my radar until I saw the Rodeo in a shop and then I made my final decision. It was far nicer then the clones I've handled and the Colt Cowboy. My budget doesn't allow for the fancier models.

I'm building a storage area behind our garage this month to clear out a lot of stuff. The new space in the garage will become my reloading area. The money I haven't spent on new guns in 2003 will go into getting me set up reloading.

I feel sorry for guys getting into the hobby now. I regret not picking up a bunch of used S&W's in the early 90's when they were everywhere for cheap, but then, as now, the economy sucked. There are also a LOT of people in this state who have NO IDEA about the laws, etc., and you can hear their shock when they go into a gun store. So many have no idea of the market no longer available to them as PRK residents. However, their ignorance is a big part of the reason we're in the mess we are in.

The reality is that we're staying here in the PRK and will keep fighting the uphill battle unless they actually start coming to take them away. Then we kiss it goodbye and move East. Death by a thousand papercuts.

Jeff

ps - I did find a nice 4" Model 19 Tuesday afternoon, but I'm letting it go. House rules is we don't buy on credit. This Rodeo is really the last one.
 
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Dan Wesson caliber interchangeability

I have heard (but do not know for a fact) that the factory put different threads on the various caliber barrels
so calibers could not be interchanged.

Tom
 
I assume you reload. If you don't, you may find that .45lc factory ammo is pretty darn expensive.

M1911
 
not yet

Don't reload yet, but plan to.

Miwall up in Northern California has 50 rounds of their 45 Long Colt 250gr RNFP for $10.95 and Cans of 250 rds for $50.00.

Their reloads are actually pretty decent. They are a regular at all the gun shows out here. I have been buying from them for about 10 years.

If you're on the East Coast, Georgia Precision is only about $1 more per box for their reloads and I have heard nice things about their ammo.

I know factory new is twice that amount. Ouch!

Jeff
 
Before we move off your 625, let me toss out a name for you:

www.cccfirearms.com

These guys are in Walnut Creek, up in the Bay Area. A pretty high end shop, they have probably more consignment N frames than anyone else I know of. They may have a 625. Prices are not cheap but are usually reasonable for the quality.

I'm really, really going to regret posting this, but...but...

arrrgghhhh I am too nice....

They had a 5" M27 the last time I was in there. There I said it. Kindly refrain from buying any of the ones I want.

:D
 
thanks

Thanks, but I think you're safe. Fat chance of me getting the time to run up that far North two times in 30 days... :)

I'm happy with my choice of a .45LC SA. The more I think about it, the more secure I am in the decision. Everyone should have a cowboy gun in their collection.

I have my nice M28 and my 1917 is a shooter. Two nice N-Frames right there. I've been really tempted to send out the 1917 to a smith to have it tuned up and refinished. It's a Brazilian contract piece and I only paid $75 for it.

Jeff
 
Get the 45LC.
Wonderful cartridge to play with... especially if you plan on reloading in future. You won't regret it.
 
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