Author Topic: Ruger vs USFA vs Colt (Read 1362 times)

Jedidiah · « **on:** July 10, 2004, 04:02:27 PM »

Hello all,

The Cowboy Action world has sprung a new desire in me. Now Im just try'en to figure out which revolver is going to work the best. I have had a chance to handle the Ruger Vaquero and it was a good looking gun with a lot of appeal. Several articles that I have read stated this was more durable and reliable than the currently available Colt SAA. It appears to be a strong opinion (or fact?) that the current Colt SAAs are substandard. In addition it was further praised for its economical price. However another article praised the USFA (specifically the Rodeo) SAA. USFA offers a great selection of options and there guns look just as good as the Rugers. Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to handle a USFA SAA or Rodeo. Furthermore, the price for a SAA verses Rodeo is significant. In any case, I would like a SAA as close to the original Colt as possible, but most importantly is that I would like the most reliable firearm with the ability to have some fun.

Do you have any information about the comparisons of these guns or and suggestions for Makes that I'm not considering here?

Jedidiah :?

Prof. Fuller Bullspit · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2004, 05:31:03 PM »

Rugers are popular in Cowboy Action Shooting. They are durable, dependable and priced reasonably. They are however not Colts. Rugers are slightly larger than Colts and don't have exactly the same ergonimics nor mechanics. For some in the game this just won't do!

Others will have to provide information about your Colt clone options, I'm not familiar enough with them to provide enough information to you.

Rugers are a good value. They work well and they are American made. That's my endorsement!

Colts are probably more cowboy, but you pay for the name. Many of the other Colt clones are made in other countries and quality can vary. That said, many people shoot them with good success.

If you post this question down in the CAS board you will probably get a fast answer!

Flint · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2004, 06:22:28 PM »

The USFA is American made and the fit and finish and materials are as good as or better than the Colt. The Rodeo is not finished as well as the standard USFA, and is more like the Colt Cowboy or Ruger in the frame finish. It is made more as a 2nd gen Colt and the standqard model USFA is finished about as well as one. The 3rd gen Colt is very good to so-so depending on when it was made. If you need the balance and handling of a Colt, a Ruger won't do it for you. If you don't mind the extra heft and different balance, as well as the very different operating system, the Ruger may do well for you.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2004, 06:44:43 PM »

Jedidiah,
First let me welcome you to GBO. I'm probobly biased in what i'm going to say, But i don't think you would go wrong with a Ruger Vaquero in the bisley configeration. As stated above the ruger is a little heavyer than some of the others but they won't shake apart either. I do a lot of heavy shooting and have never had a moments problem with any of mine. I do all my own tuning. I bought my first Ruger in 1954 and have had nothing but good luck with them, Best of luck to you...........Joe

Sundown Holly · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2004, 07:21:22 PM »

Jedidiah, every one has an opinion and so here's mine. Thankfully, the guys on this web sight will do all they can to help you with technical expertise, their experiences etc. There is a lot to be learned from these guys. Now, as to my opinion. For strength and durability you cannot go wrong with the Ruger. The regular model USFA is the closest thing you will find today to an original mint condition 1880's Colt, but can be pricey. The Rodeo is, in the opinion of a very well known gunsmith friend of mine who works only on the old style guns, is closer in shape and feel to an original first generation Colt than either the Ruger or any of the Italian repos. He has a customer who had work done on two of them. This guy had stripped the Rodeo finish and found the finish beneath to be quite attractive in itself, especially in making the guns look aged. They are his regular competition guns. As for myself, I own a regular model USFA in Colt 45 that I have had for years. It is a dream to shoot and is one of the most accurate guns I have ever owned. Along with this I own a 1901 vintage Peacemaker (also Colt 45) and a Ruger Super Blackhawk. I do not think there is a wrong choice in the group. It is a matter of identifying what your needs are and what is important to you, and making your choice. Also, read all the listings of the other guys before you purchase. They'll help save you a lot of money and grief. Some of these guys really know their stuff and have years of experience. Now I'll shut up and sit back and listen to what they have to say. Happy shooting!
"Real Gun Control is being able to hit what you aim at!"

44 Man · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2004, 02:06:26 AM »

Ok, here's my 2 cts. I love my Rugers, hunt with them all the time. However, they have their faults. The balance feels "different". The colts/clones have a wonderful balance and "feel" that the Ruger does not. The Ruger is quite a bit heavier and beefier. An asset in hunting and shooting 'heavy" loads, but again it detracts from the balance and carrying ability of the guns. Nothing feels and balances as nice as a colt/clone. If you need a heavy duty tool, buy a Ruger. If you want the looks and feel of a SAA, buy one or a clone. Do you prefer to drive around in a half-ton truck or a thunderbird? They both do the same thing, it's a matter of style and preference from there. There's nothing like a 'real" colt, period. But USAF has the absolute best copy out there. Both are pricey but excellent. The clones can be had for the price of a Ruger and have the same look and feel as the SAA. They are not a nicely finished as a Colt but neither is the Ruger. I have a couple and enjoy shooting them very much. For the price of a colt you can buy two clones and a dillon 550. You pays your money, you takes your choices. 44 Man

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:55:33 AM »

ok i usually dont get involved in these topics
and i dont really know why im adding my two into this one but here goes.
first it really boils down to what you want to do with your gun. if you just want to shoot mild colt loads with it slow and easy then any of the guns mentioned here will do just fine. if you want to shoot it fast and hard in either cowboy competition or even play fastdraw with it, then you have a couple of options, one, buy a colt/clone, take it directly to a gunsmith have it tuned to withstand the hard use of either of the above mentioned games or two, buy a ruger and use it as is straight out of the box.
if you want to shoot hot loads, possibly take small to medium game at reasonble distances with it, go with a ruger.
i have been shooting single actions since i was 8yrs old. i have wore out just abt every brand there is out there except a ruger. true enough the vaquero is heavier than a colt/clone but if you buy one you wont notice the difference within a week. i have been handling my vaquero for years now and to me now the colt clones are the ones with the weird feel to them. what i would recomend to you is to go to a local cowboy shoot. those guys are usually more than happy to let you handle/shoot their guns.
that way you can try a wide variety of shooters and see which one feels best to you.
i would hate to spend a grand on a colt to find out it wasnt what i really wanted.
but in my opinion since they started making the vaquero i dont see why anyone wastes they're time making those other pistols :wink:
like i said just my two
sureshot

Sundown Holly · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2004, 03:01:41 PM »

Jedidiah, just a note to add to what I said above, as Sureshot said, the Rugar is fine out of the box. The clones and even a real Colt would probably need an action job of sorts. For a relatively cheap price you can replace the inner springs of a Colt (very easy to do) with replacement parts that are nearly indestructable and guarenteed for life by the various manufacturers. That is what I did with my USFA peacemaker and as I said above the action is as smooth as you could ever want. As Sureshot said, you have to determine what you want. For 99% of my shooting needs my USFA peacemaker will fill the bill (for me). If I need more power (something that rarely happens) I can use my Ruger Super Blackhawk 44. I mentioned earlier that the USFA revolvers are kind of pricey. Let me rephrase that. At about a grand, they are not cheap, but you get what you pay for,100%. For what they are and the quality involved they are not over priced. It is really an investment, and one that will last a life time. I like my Ruger. It is bank vault tough and will do the job, no questions asked. But it will never be a Colt, never have the Colt action, and will never balance like a Colt. When I pick up my Ruger, it is a servious gun for a serious task, and it has never let me down. If I want the smooth feel, action and balance I'll pick up the Colt. With the modern replacement springs and parts available (for both the Colt clones and the Rugers), reliability and function just should not be an issue anymore.