Greetings gents!
I've lurked THR off and on for years and I've decided to actually join here in search for information and advice.
I've been lusting for a single-action revolver for a while now and would like some guidance on what I should get. Whatever I get would only be used for occasional, recreational plinking. Though not new to guns in general, I am new to the world of 19th century style pistols/clones.
I originally wanted a third-generation Colt SAA but soon realized that buying one would be beyond my budget. So I've been looking at some of the Uberti and USFA clones. The higher-end USFA pieces are too pricey although the Rodeos seem more reasonable. However, I really don't like the matte black finish.
While I like the classic lines of the 1873 Colt SAA, after looking at the Italian clones and those from Cimarron Firearms specifically, I've come to really like (prefer?) the look of some of the open top/blackpowder revolvers (the Colt Walker and Colt Dragoon particularly), however they are not offered as conversions and I am not interested in getting into blackpowder shooting. Would it be worth buying a conversion cylinder for a black powder revolver? How cumbersome would it be to load or eject cartridges from such a home-made conversion?
I've also taken notice of some of the "factory" conversions from Uberti and like the looks of the Richards Transition model distributed by Cimarron as a compromise. What is the history of this piece (well, the gun that was inspiration of the clone)? Any opinion on this one or others?
I've heard good things about the Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero, but I'd rather have something a little more authentic to the original designs.
Whatever I get will purely be a sub-$1000, non-practical toy for recreational shooting so I look forward to any advice or information anyone can give me.
I've lurked THR off and on for years and I've decided to actually join here in search for information and advice.
I've been lusting for a single-action revolver for a while now and would like some guidance on what I should get. Whatever I get would only be used for occasional, recreational plinking. Though not new to guns in general, I am new to the world of 19th century style pistols/clones.
I originally wanted a third-generation Colt SAA but soon realized that buying one would be beyond my budget. So I've been looking at some of the Uberti and USFA clones. The higher-end USFA pieces are too pricey although the Rodeos seem more reasonable. However, I really don't like the matte black finish.
While I like the classic lines of the 1873 Colt SAA, after looking at the Italian clones and those from Cimarron Firearms specifically, I've come to really like (prefer?) the look of some of the open top/blackpowder revolvers (the Colt Walker and Colt Dragoon particularly), however they are not offered as conversions and I am not interested in getting into blackpowder shooting. Would it be worth buying a conversion cylinder for a black powder revolver? How cumbersome would it be to load or eject cartridges from such a home-made conversion?
I've also taken notice of some of the "factory" conversions from Uberti and like the looks of the Richards Transition model distributed by Cimarron as a compromise. What is the history of this piece (well, the gun that was inspiration of the clone)? Any opinion on this one or others?
I've heard good things about the Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero, but I'd rather have something a little more authentic to the original designs.
Whatever I get will purely be a sub-$1000, non-practical toy for recreational shooting so I look forward to any advice or information anyone can give me.