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

[Pat Riot]

If you want an authentic looking Colt clone I would follow the advice already given. I have no experience with Colt clones.

I do have experience with Rugers. Vaqueros in particular. I have owned a few and currently have 2. An original Vaquero 7.5” in .45 Colt and a New Vaquero 5.5” .45 Colt. Both are Stainless Steel.
I truly do not care for the Colt grip on any gun, including the New Vaqueros. Probably the reason I sold the first 3 New Vaqueros I bought. The one I have now I got at a decent price during The Silliness (Covid).
I have installed a Blackhawk / Vaquero grip frame on it and boy, do I like the way it feels and handles. I haven’t finished fitting the grip frame properly yet, but I do enjoy shooting it now.
I had a problem with my New Vaquero when I first bought it. It would skip a chamber occasionally. Ruger fixed it for me. While it was there I had Ruger make me a .45 ACP cylinder for it. My gun now shoots mil-spec .45 ACP better my .45 Colt loads.

I shot in SASS - Cowboy Action Shooting. One of the reasons I picked Rugers was that they were tough guns and could take a lot of pounding. The New Vaqueros or current Vaqueros isn’t as rugged as the originals, but they aren’t as heavy either.
It appears that Ruger has convertible Vaqueros in .45 Colt, but they’re in Stainless, not Blued.
Also, one thing you have to know about Ruger as a company. They excel in confusing the hell out of their customers in regards to revolver naming and grip and frame sizes. Example: Vaquero (original) became the “New Vaquero” after they changed the design, but now the New Vaqueros are simply call Vaqueros on the Ruger website. I am pretty sure someone in their upper management smokes dope.

Good luck with your search. I am sure out of Ruger, Pietta, Uberti, Taylor’s & Co., Cimarron, etc… you will find something that makes you very happy.

 

[3sport]

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

Great Idea, but I have a sunroom that I converted to a "Cabin", sort of a 1880s - 1920s hunting and fishing lodge. The animal decor is out there on the floor and on the wall and on the tables. The only gun I have on the wall out there in the "Cabin" is a dumpster rescue. Somebody threw out an old Ithaca double barrel 12 ga lock and stock. I tried finding a barrel for it for about 10 years and gave up, so I bought two 1 1/4 inch wooden dowels, painted them black, glued them together and stuck them on. No forearm grip, but for a wall decoration, it works;



And my prize Walleye I caught "On The Fly" in northern Quebec when I was 14



There are a lot more Western accents in the home theater that I did not post, so I am happy with the room as it stands. Same with the cabin. Lots more decor than is represented in the few pics. As you know, it takes a lot of work to find specific decor that fits into a room and makes it look interesting and comfortable rather than cluttered and rigid. Since this is a gun forum, I try not to post pics that are not related to guns. Sorry about the fishing picture.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Great Idea, but I have a sunroom that I converted to a "Cabin", sort of a 1880s - 1920s hunting and fishing lodge. The animal decor is out there on the floor and on the wall and on the tables. The only gun I have on the wall out there in the "Cabin" is a dumpster rescue. Somebody threw out an old Ithaca double barrel 12 ga lock and stock. I tried finding a barrel for it for about 10 years and gave up, so I bought two 1 1/4 inch wooden dowels, painted them black, glued them together and stuck them on. No forearm grip, but for a wall decoration, it works;

View attachment 1203036

And my prize Walleye I caught "On The Fly" in northern Quebec when I was 14

View attachment 1203041

There are a lot more Western accents in the home theater that I did not post, so I am happy with the room as it stands. Same with the cabin. Lots more decor than is represented in the few pics. As you know, it takes a lot of work to find specific decor that fits into a room and makes it look interesting and comfortable rather than cluttered and rigid. Since this is a gun forum, I try not to post pics that are not related to guns. Sorry about the fishing picture.

were’s the dirt? these are some of the cleanest Cowboy Dens I’ve ever seen

 

[.45Coltguy]

Ohhh, fishing pictures are gooood! Eastern Sierra's trout. Back to our regular scheduled programing.

 

[3sport]

were’s the dirt? these are some of the cleanest Cowboy Dens I’ve ever seen

So true. Not authentic unless it looks like a Panther has been denning in there.
Unfortunately, SWMBO has the final say on dirt.

Ohhh, fishing pictures are gooood! Eastern Sierra's trout. Back to our regular scheduled programing.View attachment 1203047

Very nice indeed. I used to be a Fly-Fishing Fanatic. I've been to the Green, the Provo, the San Juan and many other western rivers. No offense to the eastern rivers, but I preferred fly fishing the West, and parts of Canada.

 

[.45Coltguy]

So true. Not authentic unless it looks like a Panther has been denning in there.
Unfortunately, SWMBO has the final say on dirt.



Very nice indeed. I used to be a Fly-Fishing Fanatic. I've been to the Green, the Provo, the San Juan and many other western rivers. No offense to the eastern rivers, but I preferred fly fishing the west, and parts of Canada.

You ought to give the Snake River a try. Especially the Henry's Fork. You'll never forget it. And will want to return. Fantastic fishery!

 

[Pat Riot]

I forgot to post the photos of my Rugers.


As you can see, I haven’t finished the grip frame on the New Vaquero.

Since that photo above I updated the grip panels on the Vaquero.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I need a new phone/camera. You guys take way better pictures. Very nice.^^^

 

[Bazoo]

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

My Uberti Richards Mason in .38 special.

What kind of usage has the Cimarron seen? I kinda think 24 years for the CCH is not bad, if it's been used a lot.

 

[hawg]

What kind of usage has the Cimarron seen? I kinda think 24 years for the CCH is not bad, if it's been used a lot.

Oh it's been used a lot. I used it in SASS competitions for awhile. I have no idea of the round count since I don't keep up with such things.

 

[Tallball]

If tiny little fixed sights are fine with the OP, the Uberti and Pietta are both good copies. I have one of each.

For longer ranges, I prefer a Blackhawk with adjustable sights that are much larger.

45acp is a LOT cheaper for those of us who don't reload.

This is the only Blackhawk I got NiB. They're so sturdy that I prefer to buy a used one.

Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible

• Tallball
• Apr 20, 2020

 

[Bazoo]

I like Blackhawk sights, but with one complaint, the front sight is non-removable on the blued models. A stainless model has a removable front blade. Sometimes you need a taller sight, or you want a fiber optic sight. But of course, that's fixable on the blued model provided you have the money for custom work to be done, and the time to wait for it to be done.

The rear sight blade is changeable with different heights, but most folks don't know that there different widths of the notch. The standard is .125 wide, small is .115, while wide is .140. I opened mine with a dremel and some fine files, then dabbed on some black paint with a q-tip. It made a lot of difference in lower light conditions, such as in the house, but it also improved my sight picture in all conditions.

Heres a thread I had going about it a while back https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ruger-flattop-blackhawk-sights-to-one-side.903849/

 

[hawg]

45acp is a LOT cheaper for those of us who don't reload.

Like Uberti and Pietta both don't make .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible revolvers.

 

[drobs]

Another vote to skip that one with the brass trigger guard. I have Uberti with a brass trigger guard and matte finish. I got it cheap - $250 NIB some years ago.
I started with 357 / 38 special Uberti SAA's as I don't reload (I have in the past). 38 special historically has been almost as cheap to buy as 9mm. Currently that is not the case.

My 3 Uberti 357's:


My 2 Pietta 45 Colts:


I also prefer 4 click actions. The longer barrel Pietta is a 3 click action with a transfer bar safety (like a Ruger). I bought it off Gunbroker and should've done a little more research. Oh well it shoots nice and I prefer that 5.5 inch barrel length. Both are nickle finished.

So... you need 2 SAA's revolvers. You also will need a holster rig for them. All handguns needs holsters. Then since you are more than 1/2 way there, get Lever Action and a period correct shotgun. Then go attend a Cowboy Action Shoot. They are lots of fun.

 

[.45Coltguy]

You mean like these? Ahh, I like 'em; they do shoot fine and the price was right. That brass trigger guard doesn't bug me at all. They're fun guns. Both .45 Colt, tho the Pietta has the .45 acp cylinder also.

 

[doubleh]

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

As far as I have gone is three hat racks made from deer antlers, one in the garage, one in a bedroom, and the other in the hall. Just keeping the dust off those is a large enough chore for me to contend with. I have even put rain covers on my hats to keep the dust away. You should consider long term maintenance when decorating in my area. I have decided bare walls and the least amount of furniture possible to be best.
I have a wife that doesn't agree with my decorating ideas so it's still dust rags and swiffers.

 

[jstert]

given the high price of 45lc, 357/38, 327/32 ammo, i would be perfectly happy with a range of single-action revolvers chambered only in relatively cheaper 45acp, 9mm or even 380acp. i am just a simple and frugal shooter who loves single-action revolvers (and bond arms derringers). i am not a collector or an era-authentic re-enactor. i cannot now, and never will, reload.

now that i think of it, a slimmed-down, 3” barreled, $400, single-action revolver chambered in 380acp would be fun and useful, well to me anyway. perhaps a ruger single seven that has been “wranglerized” or a pietta. perfect as a field & stream handgun, for me who is not tramping around in bear/moose/wolf territory.

 

[King Medallion]

My favorites are the Uberti Remington's, be it 1875's or 1890's. can be had in 45 Colt, 44/40, 357 and 9mm

 

[bangswitch]

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;

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.

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.

Pietta and Uberti make the majority of reproduction Western firearms used in movies. I don't own a Pietta, but have two Uberti reproductions, both chambered in .45 Colt as well as a brass receiver Henry rifle in the same chambering. I also reload, and .45 Colt is an easy cartridge to reload. For its case volume, it takes very little powder and the usual muzzle velocity for safe Uberti loads is around 750-900 fps with a 250 grain bullet; I keep mine around 800 fps, it's very mild to shoot and pretty accurate. Ruger has modernized their single action revolvers with non-original sights and firing mechanisms; that is fine for modern handgun hunting and they will handle hot loads fairly well. Ruger, USFC and new Colt guns will cost you a lot more than a Pietta or Uberti gun. Uberti manufactures guns marketed under their name, as well as Cimarron and Taylor's branded guns. Most of the differences are cosmetic, and the mechanisms closely follow the original patents from Colt and Remington, with a few changes geared toward additional safety, but are cleverly disguised so as to not ruin the original appearance.

If you want something new but want the original appearance, I'd go with one of the Italian reproductions. Basic models (meaning unadorned with engraving and not stainless steel) can be had in the $650-$750 range or maybe a little less.
I gave less than $650 for each of these two: top one is a 7-1/2" Remington 1875 New Army (branded as Taylors and made by Uberti); bottom one is a 5-1/2" Colt 1873 Single Action Army (branded as and made by Uberti).

 

[45 Dragoon]

Pietta and Uberti make the majority of reproduction Western firearms used in movies. I don't own a Pietta, but have two Uberti reproductions, both chambered in .45 Colt as well as a brass receiver Henry rifle in the same chambering. I also reload, and .45 Colt is an easy cartridge to reload. For its case volume, it takes very little powder and the usual muzzle velocity for safe Uberti loads is around 750-900 fps with a 250 grain bullet; I keep mine around 800 fps, it's very mild to shoot and pretty accurate.

Your Uberti revolvers are fine with +P loads, you don't have to only shoot "safe Uberti loads". Don't do it in Pietta's.

Mike

 

[James K2020]

OP's head must be spinning by now.....

 

[JimCunn]

Mike, will the slightly longer Kirst Pietta .45LC cylinder fit and time OK in a Uberti if you shave the forcing cone to provide clearance?

 

[bangswitch]

Your Uberti revolvers are fine with +P loads, you don't have to only shoot "safe Uberti loads". Don't do it in Pietta's.

Mike

I know, but there's little gain to be had with hotter loads. 250 grain bullet travelling 800 fps is all you need for bowling pins, steel plates or bad guys at 50 yards.

 

[StrawHat]

I know, but there's little gain to be had with hotter loads. 250 grain bullet travelling 800 fps is all you need for bowling pins, steel plates or bad guys at 50 yards.

Same bullet going a little faster gives complete penetration on Ohio white tailed deer.

Kevin

 

[JimCunn]

What muzzle velocity should I expect with 230gr .45acp out of a Uberti 8" 1860 Army?
+P ?