New Revolver...Vaquero vs Cattleman

[Angus]

I am looking at purchasing another revolver. I kinda dig the old .45 colt, and have seen many versions but am down to the Ruger vs the Uberti. I know nothing about either one of these weapons except the pricing difference on-line....soooo

Anyone have any thoughts...opinions....experience?

Hickok..where are ya pal?

[res308]

I haven't looked at the Uberti as far as price. I don't know what you're planning to do with it, ie: hunting, cowboy action? But, I do believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the Ruger would be the stronger of the two. Might be a factor if you ever went into bear country and wanted to pack a seriously hot .45 Colt load, which is very capable by the way.

[I_Like_Pie]

Get the Ruger.

Better price,

easier to find parts,

better customer service in case it does break,

easy to find one new or used.

Tons of aftermarket stuff.

Also...unless you reload the 45 colt is not a very "good" round in that there is few product choices preloaded at most local retailers...if they are carried at all. It all depends on what you intend on doing with the gun in question. If SASS catches your fancy it is the best choice there is. If you are looking to hunt with it you are better served with an adjustable sight version (Super Blackhawk rather than Vaquero)

[Guest Jamie]

I haven't looked at the Uberti as far as price. I don't know what you're planning to do with it, ie: hunting, cowboy action? But, I do believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the Ruger would be the stronger of the two. Might be a factor if you ever went into bear country and wanted to pack a seriously hot .45 Colt load, which is very capable by the way.

The New Vaquero, built on the smaller frame, is not appreciably stronger than a Colt or colt clone. They are NOT to be used with "Ruger-Only" loads.

The older, original Vaqueros are a different story. They're built on the older, larger frame, and can handle the stouter loads.

[Guest clsutton21]

I'd suggest something in double action. Possibly the Ruger Redhawk in .44mag. But...if you have to have a single action gun, get the Blackhawk. I will warn you though, it is a HEAVY duty gun...it's not for the weak armed. What exactly are you wanting to do with your revolver?

[Guest smittyb]

Don't own one, but I've always liked the Stampede

https://www.berettausa.com/e2wProductGroupDetailDropDown.aspx?parentid=4100001539&parentLink=2100000084:3100001364:3100001367:4100001539

[Mark@Sea]

USFA makes what is undoubtedly the best SA colt clone available today.

Old Vaqueros are darn near indestructable - I have a nice version in 44mag, and a custom belt rig. Unfortunately, it was made back when I was a lot younger - and a lot thinner. Oh well....

For SASS, I'd go with USFA. Otherwise, the original Vaquero. I have some Uberti firearms, they are well made, but they aren't up to either Rugers' strength (or support) or USFA's craftsmanship.

The Single Action Revolver

[Mike.357]

For the price the Uberti cattleman is the route I would go. The are extremely well made.

parts are easy to find. VTIGunparts.com Shopping Cart Order - Uberti 1873 Cattleman SAA and Target

The gun itself is a piece of cake to detail strip as well.

And the Uberti is truer in detail to an actual 1873 SAA than is the Vaquero.

[Jasongar8]

I dont see anything wrong with a Uberti but when I bought my dad his two I went with stainless Vaqueros in .45LC. I think you will be fine either way. You just have to decide which one you like better.

[Guest Jamie]

...the Uberti is truer in detail to an actual 1873 SAA than is the Vaquero.

Speaking of that, one of the things that no one has mentioned yet is the difference in how the two operate.

With the Uberti, it's the same as with an old Colt; you have to open the loading gate, and place the hammer at half cock to load the gun. Doing that frees the cylinder to turn.

With the Ruger, simply opening the loading gate frees up the cylinder. There's no need to do anything with the hammer.

Also, if you're a traditionalist, and want those 4 clicks when the hammer is cocked, go with the Uberti.

Since the Ruger doesn't have either a half cock or "safety" position, it only clicks twice when cocked.

Oh, one other thing... Even with the modern safeties that have been added to the Uberti, most people still don't feel very comfortable carrying the gun with all six chambers loaded. And an empty chamber under the hammer really is the safest way to carry the original SAA design ( Hammer-mounted firing pin ).

With the Ruger, and the transfer bar safety, the gun can be carried with all six chambers loaded without any undue hazard.

Edited September 1, 2009 by Jamie

[Angus]

Well that is alot of good info., I am trying to keep it under $500, but we will see. I like the look of the Uberti, but I do trust the Ruger more. I have looked at the Blackhawk, the Vaquero and the Cattleman, just for a add to my small collection. I really dig cowboy action guns, so we shall see what comes of it.

When you say the "old" Vaquero, how old are you talking?

[Guest Jamie]

When you say the "old" Vaquero, how old are you talking?

Made before....2004... I think.

Here's a pretty good article on the differences between the New Vaquero and the "old" one:

Ruger New Vaquero

The New Vaq is much closer in size to the Colt and Uberti guns. The older model is something like 20% larger.

[Mike.357]

With the Uberti, it's the same as with an old Colt; you have to open the loading gate, and place the hammer at half cock to load the gun. Doing that frees the cylinder to turn.

to safely load the Uberti one loads one round, skips a chamber then loads four more rounds. this should put the hammer down on an empty chamber.

I really do prefer the case hardened frame and blueing of the chamber and barrel on the SAA over the stainless look of the Vaquero. The case hardened look is more true to form too.

Some years ago the Italian repro's were notorious for soft metal in their parts, not so anymore.

[leroy]

USFA makes what is undoubtedly the best SA colt clone available today.

Old Vaqueros are darn near indestructable - I have a nice version in 44mag, and a custom belt rig. Unfortunately, it was made back when I was a lot younger - and a lot thinner. Oh well....

For SASS, I'd go with USFA. Otherwise, the original Vaquero. I have some Uberti firearms, they are well made, but they aren't up to either Rugers' strength (or support) or USFA's craftsmanship.

The Single Action Revolver

I like Mark's answer better than anyone who has posted to date. No one is even close to the USFA stuff; and it can be found in the $500 -- $600 range up. The USFA stuff is everything that the original colt saa should have been and more.

To add more fuel to the discussion; I really like and also have several of the "old" (read that large frame) vaqueros; both bisley, birds head, and plow handle grip. They are great; and as Mark said; almost indestructable.

The USFA and Uberti saa's are copies of the original colt; including the old type springs. These springs tend to break after a few thousand rounds; but are easily found and installed. I am sure Rugers give out too; just never seen it happen.

The 45 colt is a great caliber. It was the official cartridge of the us military from 1873 until 1898. A young lieutenant named George S Patton used an engraved 45 colt saa to dispatch two or three of Pancho Villa's lieutenants during the Punitive Expedition with General Pershing in 1916 -- killed them grave yard dead when they charged him on horseback. The 45 colt was the most powerful handgun cartridge there was until 1935 when the 357 magnum made it's appearance. The 45 colt is the father of the 45ACP of 1911 fame. They are great guns. We have loaded everything from black powder to near magnum loads in our old 45 colts. They are accurate and powerful.

My advice after all this rambling; pick out the one you like most now, shoot it a while, and pick up a bunch of others that you find interesting. My last count of 45 colts was seven. You cant have too many 45 colts!!

Kind regards,

LEROY

[gregintenn]

There is one company who has been making these for quite a few years now, which no one has mentioned........COLT!

[Moped]

Yeah, Colt still makes them. Of course they are so dang expensive, most people don't want to shoot them!

[Guest Grout]

I know a guy who shot SASS for years.He owns all brands of Colt copies and said if he had to do it all over again he would just buy a pair of Vaqueros.He said regardless of how "well made" the copies claim to be they all break parts after an appreciable amount of shooting but the Vaqueros seem to last forever.

[gregintenn]

Yeah, Colt still makes them. Of course they are so dang expensive, most people don't want to shoot them!

Yeah. I've got a second generation I'm dying to shoot. As it is unfired in the box, it would be an expensive endeavor to shoot it. I haven't decided to yet, but one day I might not be able to stand it any longer.

[I_Like_Pie]

I know a guy who shot SASS for years.He owns all brands of Colt copies and said if he had to do it all over again he would just buy a pair of Vaqueros.He said regardless of how "well made" the copies claim to be they all break parts after an appreciable amount of shooting but the Vaqueros seem to last forever.

You said it in a more detailed manner than I...there are a lot of design differences that make the Vaquero the only way to do it these days in SASS.

I am telling you guys - Go with the Ruger. It isn't bad advice.

[Moped]

Yeah. I've got a second generation I'm dying to shoot. As it is unfired in the box, it would be an expensive endeavor to shoot it. I haven't decided to yet, but one day I might not be able to stand it any longer.

I can only dream!

[Oh Shoot]

Within the Ruger stable, what's the advantage of the Vaquero over the Blackhawk for SASS?

- OS

[Guest clsutton21]

Within the Ruger stable, what's the advantage of the Vaquero over the Blackhawk for SASS?

- OS

All I know is that the Vaquero has fixed sights, while the Blackhawk's are adjustable.

[Guest Jamie]

There is one company who has been making these for quite a few years now, which no one has mentioned........COLT!

Y'know, the OP did say he'd like to spend $500 or less... and somehow I just don't foresee him finding a working Colt SAA for that.

[I_Like_Pie]

All I know is that the Vaquero has fixed sights, while the Blackhawk's are adjustable.

That is the only "real" difference. There have been many other small variations and special models over the years.

If you are looking for something really cool check out the .44 special blackhawk that they are shipping now. It is through a Lipsey's distributer and not a regular Ruger catalog item. Also there are some GREAT deals on the .44 mag and .357 flattops on CDNNinvestments.com

[Oh Shoot]

That is the only "real" difference. There have been many other small variations and special models over the years.

If you are looking for something really cool check out the .44 special blackhawk that they are shipping now. It is through a Lipsey's distributer and not a regular Ruger catalog item. Also there are some GREAT deals on the .44 mag and .357 flattops on CDNNinvestments.com

I recently, and finally, acquired a Blackhawk .357/9mm.

I REALLY like it.

- OS