What manufacturers are left when it comes to wheel guns?

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redneck

redneck

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I've read through a lot of threads here and the main names you see are Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Colt, and Taurus. Anybody else out there that makes a good wheel gun?
I'm sorta thinking about picking one up sometime in the near future. Trying to get a group together to do the CCW class, so I might get a small .357. Also been thinking about just a general shooter/house gun to add to the collection.

So, yeah I've got to get that sorted out before I get any real ideas, but I've been wondering who all makes a decent wheel gun anymore. There's a million different autos out there, but when I look for stuff on revolvers its the same 4 names every time, and half the time folks are talking about used guns even then!
The way things stand now, I don't see a colt or smith fitting the budget. I know there are some out there, but I can only hold out for so many gun shows:rolleyes: I've shot a ruger blackhawk and sp101 and liked them both, but still not sold on them. Handled a taurus tracker and it seemed nice enough too, but it seems to me there has to be soething else out there i'm missing still. Is it really that limited with revolvers anymore?
 
Colt no longer makes revolvers, though you can find plenty used.

The other names make single actions more suitable for Cowboy Action.
 
There is also Rossi and Charter Arms. North American Arms makes some tiny ones. There are also a few others if you are looking single action, be it cowboy-type or really large calibers (like .454 Casull). Colt really isn't making much of anything in the wheelgun world anymore.

I think the fact that Ruger, S&W, and Taurus are so dominant testify to their overall quality and engineering. Nobody else thinks they can be profitable, otherwise, you would see more larger makers trying out their hand.
 
Did anyone mention Charter Arms's rebirth? <edit> Never mind, I see you did.

Opinions vary from the "I won't own nuthin' but a S&W that ain't got a lock" to "I love my RG revolver" and everything in between. I, personally, have had good luck with Taurus, Smith and Wesson, Rossi, Ruger, and North American arms. These are the only revolvers I've owned. I really don't think I've owned a truly bad quality revolver, actually. Oh, there was one old surplus 1917 Smith and Wesson mil surp revolver in .45 ACP that was just plain clapped out when it came in. I had a smith work it over and it shot well enough. I couldn't complain for 80 bucks, anyway, LOL. That one was probably the WORST one I ever had. I sold it cause it didn't shoot too well with cast bullets, but I shoulda kept it for the collection just because.
 
I've had too many hits and misses with Taurus revolvers. I'm down to one now, and it's back at Taurus getting problems fixed. I'd try to find used S&Ws, Rugers or Colts. I keep hearing used S&W model 10s are fairly cheap.
 
European revolver manufacturers (current):

- Uberti (owned by Beretta)
- Pietta
- Pedersoli (c'n'b only)
- Feinwerkbau (c'n'b only)
- Euroarms (former armi san paolo, c'n'b only)
- Weihrauch (Arminius)
- Korth (luxury)
- JTL (luxury+P+)
- Manurhin
- Kora
- Alfa
- ME

...and some I forgotten already:))
 
asknight said:
US Firearms as well.

http://www.usfirearms.com
Click to expand...

Great link Asknight, thanks for posting it. I just spent the last 90 minutes fantasizing while browsing that website. Absolutely beautiful pieces of functional art. I don't envision ever paying those prices for a rifle or handgun for myself, but must say they are truly heirloom quality firearms. (Perhaps the "GUNSLINGER" model with some aged tru ivory grips wouldn't be too far fetched:D . I'm sure more than a couple of SASS or cowboy action type shooters own some of their firearms. I would love to hear how well they hold up and actually shoot. I would be willing to bet they perform as good as they look.
Gary
P.S. OT apology offered.
 
Well, looks like I wasn't too far off then, least in the U.S. market. No closer to picking something out, but at least I know what I have to choose from. The freedom arms, and us firearms stuff looks sweet, but definitely out of budget.
I may have to take another gamble on taurus. I read alot of bad, and alot of good about their revolvers. I've got a PT92 from them and its been great so far, but you never know.
I like ruger revolvers, but I've just never been able to buy a ruger of any sort for one reason or another. I've set out looking at them several times now and always found something else I liked better, from .22 rifles to centerfire pistols. Then I took down and cleaned a MKIII .22 for a buddy and came to the conclusion that anyone who would design such a thing was clearly working for the devil right along with the guy who made blister packs and put the stickers on the edge of cd cases :cuss:
 
You should never judge a Ruger revolver by looking at any Ruger autopistol. Different kettles of fish.
 
redneck said:
Then I took down and cleaned a MKIII .22 for a buddy and came to the conclusion that anyone who would design such a thing was clearly working for the devil right along with the guy who made blister packs and put the stickers on the edge of cd cases :cuss:
Click to expand...

I will agree with you on the blister packaging:evil: and CD security tape:banghead: . But I was just the opposite when I took down a ruger mk 22. The first thing I thought was how simple yet genius.
 
10MMGary said:
I will agree with you on the blister packaging:evil: and CD security tape:banghead: . But I was just the opposite when I took down a ruger mk 22. The first thing I thought was how simple yet genius.
Click to expand...

But was it a MK III or a MK II? The MKIII has a new magazine disconect which leaves you doing the hokey pokey to the get the sear aligned correctly, and there's a loaded chamber indicator that picks up about 3 lbs of powder residue per brick of ammo:cuss:
 
There's not much when looking for a new DA.

Colt has bowed out.
Taurus is a little to iffy for my taste.
S&W has the locks.
Ruger is the only one I buy new.
 
I knew it was coming. Anytime you mention Smith and Wesson, people start complaining about the locks. They are not an issue. I have never been hindered by the lock, it has never been automatically locked when the gun was dropped, and I have never even locked the gun. They key is still in my gun case, and that is where it will stay. There is nothing wrong with the lock that will hinder the gun in any way. I still say Smith and Wesson make the best revolvers.
 
I have to agree. Smith makes a great product. Ruger is still my choice for wheelguns, but I wish they'd go back to a security six again.

I haven't tried Taurus and reall don't want to do so. At least not until they get a little more quality oriented.

It's hard to go wrong with a smith or Ruger wheelgun.
 
Deer Hunter said:
I knew it was coming. Anytime you mention Smith and Wesson, people start complaining about the locks. They are not an issue. I have never been hindered by the lock, it has never been automatically locked when the gun was dropped, and I have never even locked the gun. They key is still in my gun case, and that is where it will stay. There is nothing wrong with the lock that will hinder the gun in any way. I still say Smith and Wesson make the best revolvers.
Click to expand...


.....and where exactly was I complaining about the locks?:scrutiny:
 
454c said:
.....and where exactly was I complaining about the locks?:scrutiny:
Click to expand...
I figured your comment about them having locks was meant to be derogatory. I've got a jumpy accusation-trigger.
 
redneck said:
But was it a MK III or a MK II? The MKIII has a new magazine disconect which leaves you doing the hokey pokey to the get the sear aligned correctly, and there's a loaded chamber indicator that picks up about 3 lbs of powder residue per brick of ammo:cuss:
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I forgot all about the changes in the MK III:eek: . My experience is with MK IIs only. My fingers work faster than my mind and neither work all that well sometimes:D .
 
I'd have never thought it was that bad until I tried one myself, actually had to print out directions and when I started reading them.....:banghead:
I warned another buddy about it when he went looking for a .22 for his dad. The guy at the counter was badmouthing everything but ruger and insisted he look at a MKIII, even though he was more interested in the buckmark. He told the guy they were too much of a pain to take down and get back together and he wasn't buying one. Counter guy insisted that wasn't true.
"Prove it"
The gun ended up going back into the stock room as a box of parts:D

But like Boats and many others have said ruger revolvers are a whole different ballgame than their autos. I'll have to give some of their double actions a try. Might be able to rent one at the range.
 
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