USFA or Vaquero?

[rusty gunns]

I have been shooting the snot out of my Uberties with black powder loads. My open tops and Rem 58 conversions are reserved for black powder.

So ... I've saved my sheckels and am going for a another pair of shooters from Long Hunter out of Hartley Texas. I got my Uberti Smoke Wagons from him and he did a wonderful job on the actions Check him out http://www.longhunt.com/index.htm .

My question to the forum. I plan on purchasing a set of 45 colts in stainless with 5 1/2" barrels

Which do you think are better. USFA Rodeos or Ruger Vaqueros and why? I know the USAFs are more historically correct, but I figure Rugers are a bit stouter (I know the NV is not as strong as the old Rugers) and have a better resale value should I decide to sell them down the line.

I've handled both and they are equally pleasant to hold. I'm sure they shoot the same as my Uberti 73's

What to do ... what to do.

ps. NO! I can't afford to buy them both, Hobie!

[J Miller]

rusty gunns,

What it comes down to is what do you want? Do you want traditional four clicks with a half cock action and flat springs?
~Or~
Do you want no clicks, no half cock, a transfer bar and coil springs?

The Ruger New Vaquero is no stronger than the Colt's or USFAs, they are in the same strength category.
Their only benefit would be the coil springs will last for ever where as you might need to replace the flat springs on the USFAs.

Your choice really. But does USFA make stainless single actions?

Joe

[rusty gunns]

rusty gunns,

Your choice really. But does USFA make stainless single actions?

Joe

Yes. The Rodeo II
Check it out at Long Hunter:

http://www.longhunt.com/usfa/rodeoII.htm

Thanks for the input, my friend.

[rusty gunns]

Ouch! My bad. The USFA is a brushed Nickel plate.

[C. Cash]

Only shot Rugers all my life and love them, but find this an interesting question. Aren't the USFA's line bored? That might give it a bit of an edge accuracy wise over the Ruger, if so? With any gun your taking a chance on how it will shoot, so no guarantee. The Ruger is very tough, but I'm betting the USFA is not far behind...steel is equally as good as the Ruger from what I understand. The Ruger mainspring is nearly indestructble, but I don't hear of folks breaking alot of these flat springs on the Colts/USFA's either, and I bet if it did happen alot the Colt would have not been so trusted by folks who used them everyday for such a long period of time. So as Joe says probably just what you like best, but a potentially more accurate pistol sounds interesting.

[Streetstar]

My thoughts (and i have had this same conversation myself recently) --- go with the USFA. You are probably not going to be shooting handloads that are "on kill" or you would be talking Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks


Of course if you like the Ruger better ............................. really its hard to make a bad decision here (but i still lean tward the USFA due to my personal research)

[Noah Zark]

The New Vaquero is a nice gun, and I don't shoot CAS. Last year I bought a USFA Rodeo Storekeeper in 45 Colt and now I almost never take my Uberti and Ruger single actions to the range. I installed a lighter mainspring in the USFA and applied some Tetra Grease to key points in the action and this little gem is dead-on regulated at 25 yds with cowboy-velocity loads. I can bust claybirds standing on edge on the 25 yd berm 5/5 with it. A wonderful piece.

I vote USFA.

Noah

[txpete]

I like both but if I had to vote it would be for the ruger and that said it would be for the orginal vaquero.then you could still use the "ruger" only loads if you wanted to.
pete

[klhill]

One other thing to consider; the Ruger can be carried with 6 cartridges while the USFA should be used with 5 (empty chamber under the hammer).I personally like the feel of the traditional action.

[O.S.O.K.]

Ruger. Based on my own buying decisions. All of my SA's are Rugers.

I have the Lipsey's 44 Flat Top and really like that frame size - the same as the new Vaqueros.

But you need to do what makes YOU happy.

[madman4570]

No expert here on this,but if it was me/other than getting the Colt
I would get a mint SS older style Ruger/then spend around $200 and have Bob Munden do his magic on it! (I don't shoot the Cowboy stuff so the older style for me)
http://www.bob-munden.com/

If you really are shooting mostly Cowboy Action--------See click below and read last question!
http://www.bob-munden.com/faq.htm

"Ruger the most reliable there is"
And this Guy "IS AN EXPERT"!
See what he thinks you need and a price to work the set???
That cheap price he charges(does his own work)will make your set much more valueable and much nicer.
Keep all your records from him and have him sign/mark your guns!

[pdawg.shooter]

I would go USAF myself. Unless you enjoy rebuilding a new firearm or repeated trips back to the factory.

[SAAJim]

When Joe brought up the flat springs in the USFA, I'd just like to note that the USFA guns from Long Hunter will come with his action job which includes a coil spring conversion for the hand spring and a wire trigger/bolt spring both of which will last indefinitely and replace the two most likely springs to break in the SAA design. That leaves the main spring which rarely breaks (and is replaced with a Lee spring) and the flexing arm of the bolt. An action job will thin the bolt cam width to just over the width of the bolt arm greatly reducing the amount it flexes and increase its service life. With the LH action job, the USFA will come within spitting distance of the Rugers for durability. Rugers are great guns but I just love the SAA and have a number of USFA guns to prove it.

Jim

rusty gunns,

What it comes down to is what do you want? Do you want traditional four clicks with a half cock action and flat springs?
~Or~
Do you want no clicks, no half cock, a transfer bar and coil springs?

The Ruger New Vaquero is no stronger than the Colt's or USFAs, they are in the same strength category.
Their only benefit would be the coil springs will last for ever where as you might need to replace the flat springs on the USFAs.

Your choice really. But does USFA make stainless single actions?

Joe

[Boreman]

If I had to choose, it would be the Ruger. I have 6 SA's. I don't think you can beat the price for what you get.I would get the older models especially if you want a Vaquero. That gives you a choice of shooting any load you want. Rugers are bomb proof.

[rusty gunns]

I have been shooting the snot out of my Uberties with black powder loads. My open tops and Rem 58 conversions are reserved for black powder.

So ... I've saved my sheckels and am going for a another pair of shooters from Long Hunter out of Hartley Texas. I got my Uberti Smoke Wagons from him and he did a wonderful job on the actions Check him out http://www.longhunt.com/index.htm .

My question to the forum. I plan on purchasing a set of 45 colts in stainless with 5 1/2" barrels

First of all, thanks to all of those who threw their two cents into the posts.

All your advice was well received and I can't tell you all how much I appreciate every one's thoughts and opinions.

I have finally come to a decision!

I ordered a pair (consecutive Numbered) USAF Rodeo II Satin Nichol 5 1/2" barrel in 45 colt from Long Hunter out of Hartley, Texas.

I will be shooting the devil out of these guns.

My reason for posting this is two fold.

First of all, to let every one who responded to my post know how I decided and how much I appreciate your input.

Second is to tell you about a guy named Jim Finch
Jim and Brad Finch own Long Hunter Shooting Supply.
http://www.longhunt.com
806-365-0093
Jim sells both the Rugers and the USAFs (along with the Taylor LH Smoke Wagons)

As you could tell from my original post I wasn't too knowledgeable with USFA's.

I had purchased a pair of Smoke House pistols in 44-40 from them last year. The work is simply stellar. Those two guns are the best shooting Italian pistols I have ever owned, or fired for that matter. And Jim was easy to do business with.

Over the last few weeks, I must have called Jim literally 6 or 7 times, picking his brain and trying to ween advice from him. Most people, by then would have considered me an incredible "Pain in the butt"
Which, of course, I am.

Jim worked with me through out and helped me "find myself" and come to a final decision.

I know Long Hunter's work is excellent, and they stand by what they do, but I have to tell you, the folks there are real gentleman.

A fine man to do business with. If you ever think about buying, or tricking out what you already have. You would be remiss if you didn't call them first.

Thanks guys.
Paul

[madman4570]

Good to know Paul, Thanks!