Opinions on a WESTERN style 45 Long Colt Six-Shooter Please

[HowardC]

Well, after a little checking, if you're REALLY interested in old west Colt revolvers, consider this:

Colt SAA 1st Generation 45 circa 1876 w/Colt & Kopec Letters for sale

Colt SAA 1st Generation 45 circa 1876 w/Colt & Kopec Letters for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Course, not knowing you, it may put a crimp in your ready access spending cash.... I confess to being astounded when I read the price.

I'm pretty happy with my Ruger old model 357 Blackhawk. My only other 'old' style firearm is a 50 cal flintlock reproduction Pennsylvania rifle, which is fun to shoot, but has its own regimen.

Keeping with your old west theme, you may want to consider loading cast bullets over black powder charges to maintain authenticity.

Just commentating per your apparent seeking 'real' old west flavor in your shooting.

-West out

 

[UncleEd]

If OP is that much into the "Old West" then I strongly suggest getting a Colt.
But if price and practicality are foremost, particularly if the gun will face
rugged use, then a Ruger New Vaquero.

No matter how practical and how good the Italian clones maya be, they
are not Colts and the OP will always know it. (The only other alternative
is the out of print USAF models.)

Colt's suggested retail price is $1,800, just about $200 more than a new
blued Python. A new stainless steel New Vaquero is somewhere around
$800 for a lifetime of daily carry.

 

[hawg]

No matter how practical and how good the Italian clones maya be, they
are not Colts and the OP will always know it.

No they're not Colt's but they're the closest thing you can get to a Colt without actually having one. I have a Uberti/Cimarron 73 in 44-40 and a Uberti Richards Mason in .38 special along with various cap and ball revolvers. I don't think about them not being actual Colts. The Ruger New Vaquero isn't any stronger than an Italian clone. It doesn't look like a Colt up close and it certainly doesn't work like a Colt. The clones mark all the boxes the Ruger doesn't.

 

[Armybrat]

Yes, a Colt would be preferable, but expensive.
Mine wouldn’t qualify as authentic though, it is a .357.

 

[Jim Watson]

And those that did have a handgun, it was likely a cap and ball percussian revolver.

Most likely an Iver Johnson, Forehand, H&R etc.

Right. An article in the Sacramento Bee about the mining town of Bodie said that an Army or Navy revolver in a scabbard was seldom seen, the usual weapon was a Bulldog revolver in a leather or canvas lined coat pocket.

 

[red rick]

I would call Cimarron and ask them which model 1873 Uberti do they sell with the 4 click hammer . I think it is only the BP frame model . The Vaquero is a nice revolver , but it doesn’t feel the same in my hand as an Italian clone .

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I love me some classic westerns too, but have never gone .45 Colt -- at least not yet.

The closest I have to a plausible western revolver are my .32 H&R Single Six Vaquero and a trio of Pietta 1858 Remingtons with Howell cartridge conversion cylinders. Here's the Vaquero with some other .32 revolvers:



The Howell system is similar to a fairly common 2-piece rimfire conversion cylinder system for the original percussion Remingtons. Here's what a very fancy period original rimfire cartridge conversion looks like:



And here's what a drop-in Howell cylinder (in .32 S&W) looks like on a Pietta repro:



Difference is that the Howell backplate features individual centerfire firing pins for each chamber.

I also have a pair of Pietta .44 Remingtons equipped with .45 ACP conversion cylinders:



I counterbored these cylinders to also accept .45 Auto Rim. They shoot more accurately than you might expect.

 

[Dave T]

OOPS! Pictures didn't work. So never mind.

Dave

 

[CraigC]

You're in luck because it's a pretty good time to get into it. I've got a little bit of everything and probably more than I should.

Uberti and Pietta have been continuously improving their products over time but seriously upped their game in the last few years. They are the two primary replica makers and you'll hear lots of static about the various importers and how some get better guns than others. They do not. They often carry different models but Cimarron, Taylor's, EMF, Stoeger, Dixie Gun Works, they all receive the same basic guns from Italy. There are certain models, like the Evil Roy, that are tuned by a contract gunsmith but that's it. Other than that, there is no difference between them. If there was, I'd have a favorite. The only thing I avoid are the new Uberti guns with the retractable firing pin but that is easily corrected with a new hammer and trigger. Several of the last few guns I've bought have been new production Pietta's. They are very well done.

Pietta .45Colt.



A Pietta "cattle brand" model.



Pietta Great Western II .45 convertible.



Pair of Cimarron .44Specials.



Two factory antiqued Uberti .45's. One a Cimarron 7th Cavalry, the other a Stoeger "old west" model.



Cimarron Bisley .357 with ivory. An example of 3rd party contract work, grips by Paul Persinger.



A great suggestion was made regarding cartridge conversions. I absolutely love them and have a bunch. Like this one put together by Goon's Gun Works.



In my opinion, too much is made of the Colt name. They have the right name but that name wasn't always stamped on the best guns. Here is a USFA Pre-war .44Spl, Standard Mfg .45Colt and a 3rd generation Colt SAA .38-40. The Colt needed $500 worth of tuning and grip work, is the least authentic and overall quality is the least of the bunch. The USFA is the most like the original guns......but better. The STD somewhere in between but closer to USFA.



If I'm spending $2000-$3000 on a SAA, I'll take the USFA every time.



For me, the Rugers are fine guns in their own right but don't scratch the itch. That could just be me, because I am weird. They're robust and durable but their actions just do not feel anything like a Colt SAA. They are different tools for different jobs.

 

[HowardC]

Q

" I enjoy slow and accurate load crafting, single stage, well within the tolerances of the firearm."

3 Sport:
Rereading the thread, I concur with your reloading philosophy. I started on the Dillon journey once, but didn't pursue it. I enjoy time at the loading bench and do take some pride in creating safe and functional ammunition. My methods would likely seem slow and tedious to some, but I enjoy the activity and have had good luck with my hobby to date.

Hmmmm, meant to post this last night but was too sleepy to realize I hit the preview button instead of the post button, sigh...... Ennyway, FWIW.

-West out

 

[HowardC]

Q

" I enjoy slow and accurate load crafting, single stage, well within the tolerances of the firearm."

3 Sport:
Rereading the thread, I concur with your reloading philosophy. I started on the Dillon journey once, but didn't pursue it. I enjoy time at the loading bench and do take some pride in creating safe and functional ammunition. My methods would likely seem slow and tedious to some, but I enjoy the activity and have had good luck with my hobby to date.

 

[HowardC]

Mods:
Please delete the above duplicate post. Not sure how I managed it.
-West out.

 

[UncleEd]

To 3 Sport,

Won't dispute the growing quality of fhe Uberti and Pietta clones.

But unless you are into Cowboy Action Shooting all the time, why
spend the money on multiple guns to compete. That will cost you
the same as getting a Colt. And more.

Get the real thing.

Get a Colt SAA.

 

[bannockburn]

3 Sport

My single action revolvers run the gamut from Italian black powder models, to Italian copies of SAA, to modern day versions, like a Ruger Vaquero, Blackhawk. and a Single Six. In long guns I also have a Traditions a Hawken-like rifle and a Rossi M92, with most of the cartridge guns chambered for the .45 Colt. Some of my favorites are the Colt Model 1860, Remington New Model Navy, EMF Hartford Model SAA, Beretta Stampede, Ruger Vaquero, and Ruger Blackhawk. Each one is unique in one way or another and all are greatly enjoyed as to their conection with the "the Old West".

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

CraigC is correct, both Pietta and Uberti have made significant strides in improving their Colt Single Action replicas recently.

Uberti has been exporting replicas sometimes known as "Three Click" models for the last few years. The hammer mounted firing pins are normally retracted a bit and will not contact the primer of a cartridge under the hammer, unless the trigger is pulled.

As has been mentioned, Colt never used a brass grip frame, so if it matters to you, that is not a very accurate replica of the Colt Single Action Army.

I bought this 2nd Gen Colt, chambered for 45 Colt, for less than $700 years ago, because it is a 'parts' gun. Not all the parts are original to the gun. And some clown tried to 'antique' it before I bought it, so all the blue and most of the Case colors have been stripped off of it. Still, this is my favorite revolver and it would be the last one I ever sell.

A pair of 2nd Gens in almost perfect condition. Also chambered for 45 Colt. These cost a little bit more. By the way, purists like me know there is no such thing as 45 Long Colt or 45LC. The name of the cartridge is 45 Colt. Period.

A nice old 1st Gen Bisley Colt, chambered for 38-40 that left the factory in 1909. Almost no blue or Case colors left on it, but that is not the result of some clown antiquing it, just honest wear on a 115 year old revolver.

Another nice 38-40 1st Gen Bisley Colt, it shipped in 1907. This one has almost all of its original blue and Case colors, but I suspect somebody may have fire blued the screws and trigger.

I used to have a couple of Uberti SAA replicas, but this is the only one I still have. An Uberti Cattleman, chanbered for 45 Colt. I bought it used back around 2001. This one is very nice, I bought it before I had any of my Colts.

Don't turn your nose up at Rugers. This is a New Vaquero chambered for 45 Colt. These are completely safe to carry with a live round under the hammer because all Rugers have had a transfer bar inside them for about 50 years now.

While I'm on the subject, 45 Colt is the first cartridge I learned to load. I learned on my old single stage Lyman Spartan press, but these days I load them mostly with Black Powder on a Hornady progressive press. The great thing about loading 45 Colt is the components are nice and big, easy to handle.

 

[red rick]

I can’t compete with y’all , but here is my little collection of cowboy revolvers . All Uberti’s , and 1851 Navy , 1858 Remington and Taylor’s Smoke Wagon Deluxe 1973 SAA . Plan on spending as much or more for a nice holster rig .

 

[Terry G]

.45 Colt Ruger Vaquero and 1873 Colt SAA. The Co lt cost's a little more than the Ruger.

 

[UncleEd]

In post #38 I once again pushed for the Colt SAA.

But in reality, if you like the SA type guns, the Ruger Vaquero
and more so the Blackhawk will fill the bill

The Blackhawk is pretty much the culmination of what Elmer
Keith and others sought in a SA. And that's practical Real West
vs. "Old West."

 

[doubleh]

I like the look of the clones but much prefer shooting the Rugers with adjustable sights. I guess that makes me less than a true enthuaist of the single actions although most of my revolvers are single action. I have found it hard to crawl on the DA bandwagon.

 

[Y-T71]

I'm just here to post the same picture I always post in these types of threads:

Couple of Taylor's Smoke Wagons that I'm very happy with.

 

[3sport]

Some of the collections posted here have been incredible to view. A special thanks to those members that took the time to post photos of their hardware. Much appreciated.

I liquidated about 80 percent of my gun collection about 15 years ago, and believe me, hardly a day goes by that I do not regret that liquidation. But I have recently been slowly rebuilding the collection..... at significantly inflated prices over what I paid for most of the collection in the 1990s. But such is life.

 

[Bazoo]

I very much like my New Model Flattop Blackhawk in 44 Special.



And my Winchester 1892 in 44 Magnum. This was a gift from a friend, and is just a small part of God's blessing on me!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Pietta is OK, though I prefer Uberti.
You might also consider a Uberti or Pietta 1860 Army with a Kirst Converter to either .45LC or .45acp.
Here's a photo of my Uberti converted to .45 acp, but .45 LC looks the same.
View attachment 1202883View attachment 1202884

love those conversations! all the fun without the mess

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hello gents. I am a HUGE Western and Equine fan. I horseback ride, and my favorite movies and TV shows have always been Westerns. I have a home theater decorated in Western and Equine theme. Just a sample to convince you;

View attachment 1202868
View attachment 1202869

As an avid reloader and gun owner, I am (believe it or not) JUST getting into the 45 Long Colt. Better late than never. I am considering many different six-shooters. I would like the opinions of members here, because I have come to respect the opinions of our members.

First, what do the members here think of the Pietta 1873 US Marsall? I do not know much about Pietta. My local gun store owner is fond of this gun.
As a bonus, it comes with a 45 ACP cylinder, and I would like that. I have a large amount of 45 ACP components and sold my 1911 a long time ago, so that would give me another cartridge to load along side the 45 LC, with components and dies that I already have.

View attachment 1202870

I am also considering the Ruger Vaquero and a few others from another thread I started on loading 45 LC. And, of course, I will consider any others that the members here may think are excellent WESTERN style guns.

Thanks in advance. I look forward to your opinions.

have you thought about se animal rugs? or stuffed buffalo head? it would give your room a Western Look like a hunting cabin

 

[hawg]

My Uberti/Cimarron is 24 years old and the CCH is fading.

My Uberti Richards Mason in .38 special.