[Jade Falcon]

I've been bitten by the bug. You can't really call yourself a true gun owner without either a 1911 or a SAA. I haven't completely decided yet if I want one for certain, but if I did I would want one in either .45 Colt or .44-40. But there are so many brands to choose from, and I have no idea which one to go with. This would be for casual shooting, not competitions.

Ruger? Uberti? Taylors & Co? Pietta? Cimarron? Someone else I should think of?

Thanks!

 

[45caldan]

If you want an authentic SA Army forget Ruger.
Pretty much any of the Italian made ones are decent.

 

[redrick]

I would look at Cimarron . Uberti went to a retractable firing pin system some years ago . That eliminated the the Colt like 4 click hammer cock . I think Cimarron still gets the old frame P model with the 4 click action like the original Colts from Uberti .

 

[45caldan]

Ya I’d want the clicks!

 

[redrick]

Ya I’d want the clicks!

I would just like something as close to the original Colt if I couldn’t find one or want to spend the money for a Colt . I looked for a Colt for over a year and couldn’t find one in the barrel length and caliber that I wanted . I settled on a Taylor’s Smoke Wagon Deluxe . This was before the retractable firing pin , or when they just had it in one model .

 

[Jim]

When I decided to buy a SA revolver, I had the same question as OP.
After much research, I went with a Ruger New Vaquero.
Mine is well made, accurate, and reliable. It's had over a thousand rds of hot .357 loads and another thousand of .38 +P with no visible wear or loosening.
More important, it can't be made to dropfire/slipfire/snagfire. To me, those qualities are more important than the Colt name or a slightly shinier finish on a clone or the 4 clicks when cocking. Mine also has a 9mm conversion cylinder.

I've been carrying on a daily basis and shooting weekly for over 60 years, never had an AD/ND with any gun. I know how to handle a Colt or clone, but don't get enough fun out of the Colt name and the four clicks on a clone to make up for the disadvantages.

There are some clones that have an internal safety system but I don't know how good it is or the overall quality of the gun.

 

[Bren]

I've been bitten by the bug. You can't really call yourself a true gun owner without either a 1911 or a SAA. I haven't completely decided yet if I want one for certain, but if I did I would want one in either .45 Colt or .44-40. But there are so many brands to choose from, and I have no idea which one to go with. This would be for casual shooting, not competitions.

Ruger? Uberti? Taylors & Co? Pietta? Cimarron? Someone else I should think of?

Thanks!

Ruger is the least authentic, but probably the best for shooting.

The others are all the same. Taylor's and Cimarron ore just companies the sell Uberti and Pietta guns, but like some of those big distributors, or most AR "manufacturers." they have Uberti and Pietta make guns for them to their specs.

If I wanted a "single action army" clone, I'd go with one of those Italian guns because they make closer copies of Colt, an a wider variety of features. A Uberti is a good basic product, while Taylor's is usually more slicked up for competitive shooting. Cimarron is kind of in the middle IMO.

 

[pgg00]

What is your plan for the revolver? Play with cowboy loads and just plink at the range? Then an Italian replica. If you are wanting to use it for hiking (critter protection) and hot loads then a ruger.

 

[LaneP]

The bullet-proof option is a Ruger Vaquero, but it is not going to give you the 4-click action authenticity of some of the other well known repro's like Uberti. Even Uberti has been incorporating various safety systems such as a floating, hammer mount firing pin set up, and even a version of the transfer bar that Ruger has used for many years. I believe that might be due to US import requirements, but don't quote me on that.

But a Ruger with any reasonable degree of care, will outlast several owners.

 

[0311INF]

I have an original Vaquero, which is not much of a SAA clone at all, but is a nice revolver in its own right. Biggest claim to fame is it can handle 44 magnum pressures.

I'd try to find the pre-retracting firing pin Italian clone of your choice.

 

[Valmet]

To echo others here, the Ruger isn’t an exact copy but is prob the best quality for a long-term shooter. IIRC the orig Vaqueros from the 90s were slightly larger SAAs, while the New Vaqueros have truer external dimensions.

 

[billorights]

Same here. Been snooping around for a while wanting one in .45Colt with 4 3/4 barrel. Had one years ago by Uberti but another dumb move sold it. The Cimarron looks good. I want to replicate John Wayne's favorite Colt somewhat. There is a Rooster Shooter being made but a little expensive and impossible to find. I have an original Andy Anderson JW belt and holster made in 1971 by his partner Victor Perez and a Duke type .45 would look good in it.

 

[tuica]

I went with the New Vaquero with 45 Long Colt/45 ACP Convertible. Pleased with my choice. And yes. I also have a Colt 1911. Mark IV, Series ‘70.
Best of luck in your decision.

 

[Blackshirt]

I have been really happy with my .357 Uberti El Patron CMS since replacing the two position base pin with an original Colt-style one position version. It’s beautiful to look at and functions just like the original. The crisp trigger, lowered hammer, and case-hardened finish are all first class and the sights are a cut above.

 

[Nick B]

WWW.Classicsingleaction.com . Read the Opinion page and then go to the New Firearms page .

 

[NicholsT55]

Be aware that you won't find a Ruger in .44-40 unless it's used AND you are very fortunate. It will also be more expensive than a .45 Colt.

 

[happie2shoot]

OP, if you could stand to get something like this, I bet you would love it,

Ruger® New Model Blackhawk® Convertible Single-Action Revolver Model 0320

We tested three of them at 200 yards with cast 187gr fngc boolits at 1500 fps,
scoped and off a bench, all three were able to shoot six inches or less with
six shot groups. It is a reloaders dream gun, it also has a 9mm cylinger that
works super, it is a true safe 9mm major with the thick cylinder.


This is another good option,

Ruger® New Model Blackhawk® Convertible Single-Action Revolver Model 0472

It can be loaded with standard low pressure 45 Colt loads and the Ruger only loads,
it also has a 45 ACP cylinder that can also shoot 45 Super + loads with no problem.

In the 45 Colt, Ruger only loads can be a 250gr XTP at over 1400 FPS or a
335 gr CPB LWLNGC at around 1300 FPS.

The 357/9mm one is one of my favorite guns, it is one the safest, strongest,
most accurate, most reliable, handguns you can get.

I have a friend that has killed many big elk on his ranch in Idaho with that
187gr load.

 

[Jason D]

I did my research a few years on them, and went with the Uberti.

Most of the clones on the market are either made by Uberti or Pietta. Some people had to shave front sights of the Piettas to get them to shoot POA and that wasn't something I was interested in doing. I discounted Ruger only because I find Ruger revolvers to be crude and didn't have good luck with their DA revolvers in the past.

If you are not a reloader then buying any large bore SA gun is an expensive proposition. If it's an itch you are looking to scratch, look for one in .22 or .357.

 

[Russ in PA]

I'm a fan of Ruger, and of the .45 Colt Cartridge. I also have one in .357. The're good guns with good factory support & lots of after-market parts/accessories. Also, they hold their value and are an easy gun to sell.

I will say that I owned a Uberti Regulator in .44-40 years ago. I paid something like $375 for it around year 1998 and man did that have amazing fit & finish right down to the deep-blued screw heads!!! I wish I'd kept it but didn't want to load for an additional caliber at the time.

 

[Gray Dood]

My search down the path you're on took me in a slightly different direction (or not so slightly).

Fit and finish is excellent. As is the accuracy and overall shooting experience. Uberti does an outstanding job of machining and fitment with these.

Or if "4 Clicks" is a requirement, stick with the Pietta models. They're all "4 Click" actions in both SAA and Remington clones. I got this one used and the previous owner had tuned action work performed.

The handling is surprisingly quick for such a large revolver, and I understand now why this model had it's fans back in the day. Fit and finish is also excellent as produced by Pietta.

And a word of caution regarding Ruger's, specifically convertible 45 Colt/45 ACP models. I purchased a 45 ACP Vaquero to find that it came with a barrel throated for 45 Colt. That resulted in keyholing with every brand tried. I don't know if they all were assembled like that. I no longer own it.