Beretta Stampede "Color-case" finish?

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jimmy

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Does anyone know if the cylinder frame of the Beretta Stampede is really color-case hardened, or is it a simulated color-case like on the Ruger Vaquero? According to the Beretta website, "The frames of both the blue and Deluxe models feature the new Beretta Color-Case finish - our durable and particularly attractive interpretation of the traditional color-case look." Beretta's choice of the word "interpretation" makes me wonder! I figure if the finish were genine case-hardening Beretta would say so. Has anyone had any problems with the Beretta Color-Case finish?

I'm asking because the local gunshop has a Stampede for sale that's very tempting. But I'd like to know what I'd be getting into.

TIA.
 
I got the good and bad news. The finish is indeed simulated, and not bone & charcoal case hardening - but it appears to be better quality then some others are doing. Beretta was showing it off at the recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and it was well received by many very picky Cowboy Action Shooters.
 
I would PASS on the Stampede. Poor fit, finish, QC problems and they are gaining a poor reputation for function. If you have the money, buy it, send it to Doug Turnbull and have it CCH'd and slicked up.
 
Josey: You're exactly the FIRST person I've heard that has had problems w/ the Stampede. Every other person I've read has given it nothing but praise. And the three I've seen in local stores have had a fit & finish that would make Sam Colt proud (& shoot the nimrods who put his name on the Cowboy...:banghead: )

I'd like to know where the bad news about the Stampedes can be found. I'm interested in them, and I'd like to hear all sides...:D

As for the case-hardening--it looks a lot better than what Ruger & S&W call "case-coloring"...:barf:
 
seeker_two,

Much as I hate to agree with Josey on anything :p , I have a good friend in Texas who looked at a couple of Stampede's in a local shop. The blued/faux color versions were nice according to him.

The nickled version he picked up could not be cocked! It was locked up tight! From the factory.....

Go over to Sixgunner.com, you will here a fair number of similar stories I'm afraid.

It's a shame, I have waited more than a few years for a true SAA size revolver with a safe action. Of course there is that new Taurus Gaucho coming out.....
 
I have heard Stampede horror stories from Maine to Florida. The west coast seems to be happy with EMFs Pietta manufactured Great Western IIs. There are three "good" OEM manufacturers of cartridge replicas. Uberti, Pietta and Taurus. Really. Mateba is a poor QC but, beautiful in appearance replica manufacturer for AWA. EAA has the Bounty Hunter line which is Ruger sized and has a transfer bar safety licensed from Ruger. ALL clones are a crap shoot. The importer sets the QC standards. Uberti et al only meets those set standards. The Stampede is a disappintment. As to S&W CCH, it was DONE by Turnbull under contract. It looked good to me.
 
The Stampedes I've seen have a comical "paint by number" case finish on them. The Nickeled guns look like crap. The black grips on all models look like something molded by Cub Scouts for a merit badge. Real lack of definition in grips.
 
It's a shame, I have waited more than a few years for a true SAA size revolver with a safe action. Of course there is that new Taurus Gaucho coming out.....
Click to expand...

Me too. I don't want a Ruger because of the weight, and the Beretta Stampede is my only other choice if I don't want to wait a year for the Gaucho. On the other hand, I've owned Berettas before and they make nice guns. I've never owned a Taurus, and from what I've read, I don't want to.

Not too many choices available with a transfer bar. Any others?

-Robert
 
Ruger and Uberti (Cimmaron, Navy Arms) have 32s. The Cimmaron has dual cylinders with chamberings in 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum and 32-20. The Rugers are too short for 32-20. They only come in 32 S&W Long and 32 H&R Magnum. Both are smaller frames and lighter weight. Cimmaron also imports a Uberti small frame 38 Special. EAA, Ruger, Beretta and S&W are pretty much it for transfer bar safeties in CAS pistols. The S&W Schofield 2000 is no longer made though.
 
I've got the Deluxe model, nickel finish, awesome wood grips. It's also in the "dreaded" .357 caliber. I've had it about 4 months and have put a fair amount of rounds through it with nary a problem. I, too, have heard the stories of folks, primarily cowboy action shooters, who have had nothing but problems with theirs. So....I guess I'm one of the lucky few. :D
 
One thing to keep in mind, CAS competitors use two revolvers. Most buy three at a time in order to have a back-up or loaner. When is the last time you bought three of anything and they were all perfect? I used to have three AWA Peacekeepers in 357 Magnum. Everybody had problems with those AWAs. I never had any problems with mine. 0
 
If this finish is anything like Ruger's finish, pass. Get something that has genuine color case. I have a Ruger with the simulated color-case and that finish is garbage. It rusts if you look at it wrong. About a month after I bought it, I noticed a small speck of rust. When I rubbed it off, there was the bare metal underneath. This gun was stored well lubed in a safe that had a goldenrod dehumidifier in it. I inspected my other guns, some of which have some very highly polished blued finishes and no rust. I continue to wipe it down on practically a weekly basis and it has still rusted on three other occasions. When I get around to it, I'm going to send it to Bowen and have a real color case finish put on it. And I'm not buying anymore Ruger single actions (this is the second Vaquero I've had - the first was a stainless that had other issues).
 
Good color + brawny enough to handle loads that could turn a Ruger into powder + (usually) lower price + ability to carry 6 w/out a transfer bar = Interarms Virginia Dragoon.
The suckers are huge though.
 
Stampede "colors"

One of our local dealers had a blued/case Stampede in stock recently. The blue was as nice as my Colts; the case was a bad joke. One of the previous posters said it resembled " paint by numbers" which is a perfect way to describe it. My grandson using a few crayons could do a better job. Beretta should be embarassed.
 
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