single action recommendation

[rossim92]

HI! I have a rossim92 leveraction in the 38/357 combo. Can anybody recommend a good single action revolver in the same ammo combo that does not cost an arm an a leg? looking for something in the barrel length of 5.5 inches. What is your opinion of heritage sa's if you happen to own one?

[Griff]

I have 6. 3 Colts, 2 ASM (EMF - no longer in production) and a Uberti.

My recommendation? Colt, the newer the better. EVERYTHING else a wannabe. They can be found for around $1K. Next would a USFA, then a FA, or an STI, then one of the better Italian clones. Last would be a NM Ruger. I don't like their lockwork feel.

But it's a highly subjective decision, fondle 'em all, the right one will feel right; BUY that one!

BTW. my insurance would pay me about $50K for an arm or a leg... ain't none of 'em worth THAT!

[AJMD429]

For me, the Ruger Blackhawks are more than adequate as mates for the Rossi leverguns...

The scope on the Rossi was only an experiment, but this 'pair' works well together...


Here's a selection of < link > Single Action Rugers:

[jeepnik]

I'm partial to the Ruger Blackhawk. I haven't seen a "fixed" sighted SA that hits to point of aim for me. Yes, I know you can turn the barrel and file or change the front sight and file to get them on, but that's a fine, until you switch loads. I'll take adjustable sights every time.

[Hobie]

As far as I am concerned only a Ruger, New Vaquero or New Model Blackhawk Flattop would suit...

[damienph]

The only single actions that I have ever owned have been Rugers. I currently have 5; 2 Super Blackhawks, 2 Blackhawks, and 1 Single Six. They are very accurate and very reliable. I cannot imagine a better single action, at least not for the money.

[JB]

Ruger Vaquero if you want a fixed sighted gun. I don't play cowboy, so I don't want a fixed sighted gun for other than a pocket pistol. I'd take a Ruger Blackhawk for a 357 single action gun.

[Griff]

Golly, such one-dimensional replies....

[Hobie]

Golly, such one-dimensional replies....

He doesn't want to spend a lot of money but wants, I presume, good quality. You know that leaves but one response. You also know I have other guns. I saved and saved for some of them but they would not suit him. To be direct, I would not take a Heritage if it was given to me.

[jhrosier]

Another vote for the Ruger Blackhawk.

The Blackhawk will easily handle the heavier loads that you might want to use in a rifle.

My favorite is a 4-5/8" but a 6-1/2" would work well in the field.

Here is mine with an accessory cylinder in 9mm and my 9mm "speedloader".



The .357s are common and reasonably priced.

Jack

[Griff]

Golly, such one-dimensional replies....

He doesn't want to spend a lot of money but wants, I presume, good quality. You know that leaves but one response. You also know I have other guns. I saved and saved for some of them but they would not suit him. To be direct, I would not take a Heritage if it was given to me.

Ah yes... but you know me... stirrin' the pot is never boring! (BTW, did you get my phone msg?) Ended up thru Staunton later than I planned... and figured you were already at lunch.

Also why my first response was... well... first!

[jd45]

USFA offers the Rodeo in .45 Colt-.38SPL. The finish is matte, but the internals are top-notch. You should be able to run warm .38 loads in her w/o trouble. Or, there's the Ruger. I'd go with the USFA, if it were me. jd45

[gak]

Given the fact that USFA does not chamber the .357, I'll +1 Hobie's recommendation. One consideration for you regarding Rugers might be that the smaller "mid" framed ("Colt sized") New Vaquero and 50th Anniversary .357 (flattop) are more than adequate for virtually any .357 load you can think of. Since these guns' inception, the traditional (aka larger or "44 magnum class") framed Blackhawk seems a bit overkill to me in .357. Also along this line of thinking, any .357, with its relatively small bore, is a hefty piece...particularly noticeable on the hip in the longer barrels. So, I would keep the length at your desired 5.5" max. OTOH, before the (re)advent of the "mid-framed" guns, the Blackhawk's "classic" length was 6.5" in the .357, and few shooters paid any never mind! (few alternatives to compare to is my guess!) I've had these and they're stellar guns. Still, my choice would be one of the above mid-frames for the perfect size and balance. I love my 5.5" New Vaquero and 3.75" Montado.

As many will point out, absolute or significant weight advantage isn't the key point to the mid-framed guns as is overall package size and balance, since they use steel gripframes and ejector housings,...thereby lessening much of the theoretical weight advantage they'd otherwise have over the large-framed NM Blackhawks with their aluminum counter-parts.

[olyinaz]

Ruger!

Oly

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

As far as I am concerned only a Ruger, New Vaquero or New Model Blackhawk Flattop would suit...

Sorry Griff,
Plus one more for the Ruger. Although I don't really consider it a SAA. Inside the Ruger and the SAA's are over a century apart. The ruger lock works were designed in the 1950's. It is nothing like the colt style SAA lock basically unchanged since 1836.

I tell my Cowboy action shooting customers that race these guns;
Comparing colts to Rugers is like comparing model T`s to 60`s muscle cars. \

Now, if you want a true SAA styel gun but don't care to spend the $$$ for the Colt go with the EMF imported Great Western II.These are Italian made by Pietta and are I thnk the best SAA coming out of Europe now. Parts are 2nd/3rd gen Colt compatible and Pietta does the Ruger type coil spring mod in stead of the prone to break flat hand spring.

BTW, welcome to the forum. Hope you can stay awhile.

[Old Savage]

We'll see about the Heritage, I am picking one up Thurs. It is made of Pietta parts assembled by Heritage as I understand. It is used. I have shot it and it is accurate and hits point of aim with the load I tried which was commercial reloads the range buys. It works as smooth and locks up as tight as any SA I have seen. Has a plum colored frame.

[Pisgah]

Depends on what you want. If a modern design suits you, the Rugers are darned hard to boot. If a Colt or Colt clone suits your fancy, Colts can certainly be had (though not inexoensively!), and the Ubertis have gotten really good in the past few years. My Uberti 1873 Flat Top Target is the equal in fit, finish, and accuracy to any Colt I have ever encountered (actually, in the accuracy department it handily beats any Colt I've shot), plus it has the advantage of old-style but very good adjustable sights. That model can be a bit of a challenge to find, though.

[Griff]

Since I didn't read any intended use in the OP, I left that part of my opinion unsaid.

HI! I have a rossim92 leveraction in the 38/357 combo. Can anybody recommend a good single action revolver in the same ammo combo that does not cost an arm an a leg? looking for something in the barrel length of 5.5 inches. What is your opinion of heritage sa's if you happen to own one?

I did however, neglect to mention that I don't list the Heritage among the better Italian clones; and that I hold the original model Blachawk in much higher esteem than the New Model. Since I'm negotiating with my B-I-L for one of several he owns in that very caliber.

No need to apologize Nate. We're in agreement, it's why my comp guns are modified internally to aid reliability and longevity. Intended use plays a huge part in my purchase decisions; but, for just the pleasure of owning, I want the one that "sings" to me when I hold it.

My 1st sixgun was a 3-screw 4-5/8" Ruger in .357; and while it spoke to me, it wasn't until I heard the soft New Orleans drawl (like my wife's) of my 1st Colt SAA, that I realized the Ruger sounded like Fran Drescher!

[Lastmohecken]

I think the best bet is to probably buy a Ruger with adjustable sights. That way you would know that you are guaranteed to have a gun that can be sighted in for your chosen load, which might be better in a caliber like .357 because of the wide range of loads available for it.


However, I have had very good luck with the fixed sighted singleactions, shooting very close to point of aim for me, but my fixed sighted guns have all been in 45 long colt.

I own both Rugers, and Colt replicas, like ASM (EMF) and Uberti. Even if you do get a Ruger (and you probably should) you will still probably want at least one Colt Clone, if not an actual Colt, and I must admit, I enjoy handling and shooting the old Colt Replicas, they just have a feel that Ruger has not quite been able to capture.

[Old Savage]

Griff - where do you put the STI Texican and have you used one.

My Plum Blue SALT as I will call it has a firing pin in the frame. That is Single Action Looking Thing. Pics to follow of course when it comes out of Calif Purgatory.

[Griff]

No, but I'd love the opportunity.

[Grizzly Adams]

I have 6. 3 Colts, 2 ASM (EMF - no longer in production) and a Uberti.

My recommendation? Colt, the newer the better. EVERYTHING else a wannabe. They can be found for around $1K. Next would a USFA, then a FA, or an STI, then one of the better Italian clones. Last would be a NM Ruger. I don't like their lockwork feel.

But it's a highly subjective decision, fondle 'em all, the right one will feel right; BUY that one!

BTW. my insurance would pay me about $50K for an arm or a leg... ain't none of 'em worth THAT!

Well, I have to agree with Griff, Rugers lockwork feels decidedly different than a Colts pattern SAA, and the internals appear to have been designed by aliens! That said, they are tuff as nails and reliable as death and the income tax!

I would recommend a Ruger NM Vaquero, or the Great Western II from EMF.

[Boreman]

Let's hear it for the Ruger SA's.They are as good as it get's for the money.They are bomb proof and very accurate.I have 7 SA.
Single Six 22LR
2 Blackhawk's 357 and 45 Colt
Super Blackhawk 44 Mag
Bisley Vaquero 45 Colt
2 Vaquero's 44-40

How much fun can you have!!!!!!!!! A BUNCH !!!!!!!!!!!

[Hobie]

Golly, such one-dimensional replies....

He doesn't want to spend a lot of money but wants, I presume, good quality. You know that leaves but one response. You also know I have other guns. I saved and saved for some of them but they would not suit him. To be direct, I would not take a Heritage if it was given to me.

Ah yes... but you know me... stirrin' the pot is never boring! (BTW, did you get my phone msg?) Ended up thru Staunton later than I planned... and figured you were already at lunch.

Also why my first response was... well... first!

Ah, that was you whose call I missed. The message is on the phone, I saw it Saturday night but got going on something else and forgot to check it. I was at work and my cell can't receive inside the metal building so I leave it in the truck.