.44 Magnum SAA?

[zxcvbob]

Are there any SAA copies that are chambered for .44 Magnum? Maybe about a 5.5 or 6" barrel? If so, does the cylinder have 5 chambers or 6?

I have a .357 magnum SAA and it sure is a lot handier than my Ruger Bisley w/ 7.5" barrel. But a .45 SAA would have too thin chamber walls to shoot my +P ammo. (one of these days I'll grow up and stop loading those, but that's not gonna happen any time soon.) A .44 a with modern steel cylinder just might be able to shoot full-powered loads.

OK, how about a .41 Magnum?

 

[Sam]

Nope,
Not enough metal to handle it.
You can get SA revos in 44 Mag but an SAA.

 

[VE2RF]

I wish.

I'd buy another single action.

Don't buy a Blackhawk or SBH or even a Vaquero if you have a nice SAA or copy. The modern Rugers are fine handguns, but it's not the same.

 

[Virginian]

We know it's not the same, and you can't tow a decent sized boat worth a hoot with a Mustang either.

 

[calaverasslim]

Look around Uberti used to import a 44 mag. from American Arms up in K.C. Been years ago tho. Good little gun and I wished I had mine back.

You can get a NM Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag. The only thing I don't like is in the 4.63" version the cylinder is unfluted. My 5.5" version has the fluted cylinder and I do like that one. These are readily available for around $500 or a little more.

 

[Lashlarue]

I had one of the Uberti 44 mags, very similar to the Cattleman but Uberti called it the Buckhorn and it had a spring loaded firing pin which would occasionally come loose ...

 

[Bigger is Better]

Good evening guys. Before all I've to say you hello, I'm just comeback from holidays. Well, this is the first thing.
Second, in Italy we have another manifacture, apart from Uberti (as Lashlarue has correctly remembered), that produces revolvers very similar to a SAA and chambered for the .44 Magnum. His name is JAGER and makes wonderful single action revolvers, strong and accurate, with adjustable or fixed sights, black or stainless finish (both very well made), with the classic four (or three, I don't remember now) hammer positions, but I believe the only barrel length available is 7 1/2", like classic Colt SAA and Uberti Cattleman replicas. Maybe some time ago Jager made 6" or 6 1/2" barrel guns, but at present I don't know.

 

[calaverasslim]

Thanks, biggerisbetter, I learned something new today. I always thought Jager was German but I was wrong.

I know they are good guns but have had very little experience with them.

 

[Harve Curry]

Howdy from New Mexico
Bigger is Better,
I have a question. I had posted earlier on THR. I would like to know what Italian proof marks mean.
Is there a chart?
Does Italy have a pressure rating? Since their copies are made of modern steel can they handle 30,000psi to 40,000psi?
I have owned quite a few Italian guns. Right now I have Uberti 1873 Win SRC 44spl. , and a S&W Schofield 44-40.
I was offered for sale a copy of a Win 1873 in 44 magnum, imported by EuroArms. I declined and bought the new copy in 44 spl. Do you know anything about them?
Do they hold up safely in that cartridge?
gracias,

 

[Jim Watson]

I would like to know what Italian proof marks mean.
Is there a chart?
Does Italy have a pressure rating? Since their copies are made of modern steel can they handle 30,000psi to 40,000psi?

I go by an article in the 1972 Gun Digest. Proof laws don't change very fast, it is probably still good or close.

The only "pressure rating" the Italian proof system recognizes is the SAAMI or CIP maximum pressure for the caliber. The definitive proof test (stamped "Finito") is one shot 30% over. So no Italian gunmaker will tell you his gun will "handle 30,000 psi to 40,000 psi" unless it is in a caliber that runs those pressures in factory loads. No basis for overloading an Italian .45 Colt, for example.

I cannot imagine a toggle link action standing up under regular use of .44 Magnum. Obviously it did not blow up in the proof test, but one shot does not mean long term durability. I think you did well to pass it up.

 

[Bigger is Better]

...I would like to know what Italian proof marks mean.
Is there a chart?
Does Italy have a pressure rating?...

To answer to your question I believe that Jim Watson has written

...The only "pressure rating" the Italian proof system recognizes is the SAAMI or CIP maximum pressure for the caliber. The definitive proof test (stamped "Finito") is one shot 30% over. So no Italian gunmaker will tell you his gun will "handle 30,000 psi to 40,000 psi" unless it is in a caliber that runs those pressures in factory loads...

is a good way to understand which is the situation in Italy. Jim is right: we recognize SAAMI and CUP pressure system and the pressure proof test is made by the "Banco Nazionale di Prova", who establish if a gun is suitable for italian market. If a gun don't pass this kind of text, can't be sold in our gunshop.
Instead, talking about italian SAA replicas, I think Pietta's revolvers are the best, better than Uberti and Beretta. But both (Pietta and Uberti) make excellent SAA repro, excellent and strong for old west calibers (.45 LC, .44-40, .38 Spl, and also .357 magnum) and old west loads, but not for modern "magnum" calibers or loads (+P or +P+). I've never tried the .44 Magnum in an Uberti handgun, while I've shot with an Uberti Tornado .454 Casull: very very nice and funny gun, but the owner said me that was not safe shoot too much powerful loads in it. I don't know why but I think for the same reason we're talking about until now: the pressure tolerated.
At the moment that is all I can say you. Sorry

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

I'm very surprised no one mentioned the old model vaquero, it's almost identical to the saa just a little larger. They can be had for very reasonable prices.

 

[Bigger is Better]

I'm very surprised no one mentioned the old model vaquero, it's almost identical to the saa just a little larger. They can be had for very reasonable prices.

Are you joking? I have a magnificent Old Model stainless Vaquero, I'm very proud of it and it's my favourite handgun among those I've own at the moment, and one of the better, stronger and more accurate I've ever fired with. I love it, but I don't think it can be said a real SAA copy: it has only two hammer position, the same for the reload and fire operations, the transfert bar safe and the percussion is not at the hammer but inside the body of the gun.
... Excuse me guys but the last concept I'm not been able to explain better: I hope you have understood me

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

I didn't mean identical as far as internals but as far as looks its identical. I would buy one in a second when my LGS ever gets one in used since all my vaqueros are 45 colt. I guess the vaquero is more of a copy than a true clone and the old models can handle any load that you care to put through it which isn't necessarily true for the original saa and clones.

 

[Bigger is Better]

I didn't mean identical as far as internals but as far as looks its identical

Ah, sorry, now I undersand, excuse me. If we talk about external look, you're perfectly right: when I've it in my holster, except for the size, it looks like a real SAA.