Suggestions Needed for Single Action Revolvers

[NotDeadYet]

I'm looking at adding a horse to my herd, and the one my farrier recommended just happens to have experience competing in CMSA mounted shooting (see http://www.cowboymountedshooting.com). You got to admit, that sounds cool, right? It's something I've wanted to do (my kids are also interested), and a gun-broke horse fell into my lap. Well, my modern guns don't qualify. I need two "fixed sight single action revolvers of .45 Colt caliber, designed prior to 1898, or reproductions thereof" if I want to compete. I need two, so low price reproductions (< $600 ea.) are required. I'd like to find a rugged gun with a bird's head grip with Bisley hammer. The closest I can find so far is the Cimarron Thunderer, but I don't know if it can be fitted with the factory hammer from their Bisley model. Other (affordable) options are the Ruger Vaquero and Baretta Stampede. I'm sure other options are also available and I'm open to suggestions.

Does anyone have any up close & personal knowledge of "Cowboy Action Shooter" 45LC revolvers? Also - any suggestions for locating Old West style high-waisted holsters? I would appreciate any advice!

 

[Jim Watson]

Lo and behold, Ruger is now making a blank popper for the purpose.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/VaqueroMontado/index.html

Doesn't have a birdshead grip, though.

Lo and behold, SASS has a board dedicated to mounted shooting, might be a good place to ask around.
http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showforum=15

 

[Urbana John]

I thought about getting into that myself---------in fact I have a "custom holster set" for SA Rugers that I don't need------hand made by Lucky Levi who also shots SASS. My holster set is "made" for this sport and they are for sale!!
One is right handed and the other is "cross draw".
The set was made for Ruger Super Blackhawks in 357 with 7" barrels (I think)
The "belt" has a little adjustment in it----will go from 36" to 45" ( + or - ) a little
I had to put the Rugers in a plastic bag and soak the holsters to get a tight fit---so you could probably do the same thing if the guns you get are a little snug.
If you are interested in mine, PM me, or I can "dig"up Lucky Levi's e-mail and he can make you a custom set------he's done good by me and his prices are OK

UJ

 

[Gunfighter123]

Thunderers

Hiya NDY,
I don't shoot mounted but I have about 10 years in SASS shooting. I have owned/shot MANY different revolvers in those years and that includes Ruger Bisleys , Vaqueros , Blackhawks and most of the various "Eyetalin clones".
I always shoot "Gunfighter" and at the buzzer , must draw and shoot BOTH handguns one handed etc. As I have small hands , the best fitting revolver FOR ME , are the Thunderers . With my short thumbs etc. - they are the FASTEST for me to get on the hammers with. The Ruger Bisleys are GREAT guns but a little big even with slim Gunfighter type grips.
Try to "test drive" a Thunderer and I don't think you will need a Bisley type hammer on it.

Good Luck and HAVE FUN !!!
GF123

 

[coinshooter]

If your going to shoot just mounted Ruger makes A new Ruger Vaguero in 45 lc with 3.5" barrell it is legal for mounted shooting were you use the wax bullets can shoot 45lc but would not be legal for regular Sass stages. I want to say its a Montero. I just ordered a Ruger Vaguero in 357 can't wait if I AM NOT MISTAKING mOUNTED IS LIMITED TO A 45 CALIBER check oou the Sass wire it will help

 

[Jim Watson]

You do NOT shoot wax bullets in SASS mounted; nothing is allowed except approved blanks which pop the balloons with muzzle flash and granules of blazing powder.

 

[Harve Curry]

Gunfighter123,
Where do you get those nice ivories?

NotDeadYet ,
Go to a mounted shoot and folks will let you try their different firearms to see what suits you.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Thank you all for your comments, I appreciate them. Just to add to the fray, along with CMSA mounted shooting I'm looking to do gun spinning as well. Input from experts are leading me to Colt Peacemakers (or "Eyetalin" replicas thereof) with 3.5" barrels (for twirling balance & drawing speed). Most recommended (from non-mounted shooters & twirlers) was the Cimmaron Model P with Evil Roy Competition modifications (http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/ER421-EvilRoy.htm). I'm hoping to get to a mounted shooting competition in a month or two to talk with competitors. - I'm concerned "Evil Roy" light trigger action may be undesirable when seated on a galloping horse.

Additional comments are welcomed!

(BTW, correct statements made above that wax bullets are NOT used - black powder muzzle flash is what pops the balloons in mounted shooting competition. You're not even allowed to load your guns - an armorer does it with approved blanks to insure safety & competition load uniformity. .45LC is the only caliber universally accepted in this genre of shooting, so why would you get anything else?)