Help on Six-Gun Purchase

[Shuttleman]

I am getting ready to purchase my first single six and was looking at the new Vaquero.  I did have some questions and recommendation though.  I am stuck on two question: what makes the decision to buy a pair of the six guns or just one and deciding between 357 or 47 Long Colt.  As I am new to cowboy shooting and any guidance and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Tom

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Hi Tom,

Welcome to cowboy shooting.  Here are some answers to your questions--maybe not fit you exactly but food for thought:

If you going to play at CAS you'll need two revolvers; it's really better if they are the same, ie, not a BH and a standard grip.  That way you don't have to adjust your grip each time "you fill your hand..."  For many pards $$ is the deciding factor in getting one or two.  Our club members have many extra guns to load but everyone that gets into this wants her/his own guns.

Old Model Rugers are built like a tank and as large as one, too.  The new ones are more in line with the size of a Colt (that from which everything is measured).  It won't take the heavy loads but we don't shoot heavy loads in CAS.  Rugers are known for their reliability so that's a plus in a sport that finds us sending thousands of rounds down range a year.

There are real, true Colts but at $1200+ each they are usually not a new cowboy's first choice.  Saying that there are those who start out with Colts.  

About the only other revolvers out there are clones that come from Italy.  They are like the old Colts from which they are modeled but they suffer from the same ills that the old original ones had--Sam Colt really didn't expect his guns to be fired as hard and fast and often as we make them do.  Clones need a bit more TLC than the ones above.

As to caliber:  I'm old and slow and am in this for the fun.  I shoot 45 Colt because Roy and Gene and Hoppy did.  I reload my own so I can tailor the loads to my needs (light recoil and good accuracy).  There are commerical cowboy loads out there but even they are too hot for me.  Don't want to see the bullet as it travels downrange but close to that. :grin:
If you don't reload or plan to down the trail, the 38 Sp is much cheaper and the recoil is a whole lot less.  

Here is a website that does a super job of explaining all of this:  http://www.curtrich.com/cowboyphotos.html

Capt George and I both live in the Houston area and spent some time in RVN (in another life time).   The good Capt has forgotten more than I'll ever learn.  Check his site out and get back to us with any more questions.

CR

[Lazarus Longshot]

Howdy , Shuttleman, and welcome!

Two guns vs. one -
If you are going to shoot SASS (the most popular and widespread organization), you will need two revolvers, as most stages require 10 rounds to be shot, and you are only allowed to load five in a revolver (even if you've got a transfer bar!). It's a safety issue.

If you shoot NCOWS, they have a "Working Cowboy" class which only uses one handgun.

Caliber choice -
There are many reasons for choosing one caliber over another. If you shoot the SASS category "Classic Cowboy", your pistol and rifle caliber must be .40 or over; that lets out .38/.357 for that category.

If you are recoil sensitive, .32s and .38s recoil much less than .45s. In addition, many of the top shooters use .38s because the lower recoil lets them get back on target faster.

If you shoot one of the black powder categories, you may find that one of the bottleneck cartridges (38-40 or 44-40) seals the chamber much better and gives you less blowby than a straight-walled cartridge (.38 or .45) with the light cowboy loads we shoot. There is a "cool factor" involved in the bottleneck cartridges, too...

Some folks (including me) like the bigger boom and recoil of the larger calibers.

I shoot .38s because of economic reasons. My wife Lorelei shoots SASS too, and we go through 500-1000 rounds a month. I don't reload, and .38s are a heck of a lot cheaper than .45s.

I will give you the same recommendation that I give all new shooters: Go to a local match before you buy anything! Most folks will be falling all over themselves to let you try their guns. There are many manufacturers out there besides Ruger, other pistols besides the Colt Model "P" (Remington, Colt open tops, etc.), and other calibers besides the .38 and .45. Get other folks' opinions, and "try before you buy."

And welcome to the most fun you can have that isn't immoral, illegal, or fattening!!!

[Shuttleman]

First off, I wanted to thank you both for your recommendation and advice. I think there is a SASS meet every first Sunday of the month so I will make a point of making it in March and should help figure out what type of shooting I want to do.    I just want to have fun with it and get back to my true heritage as my great, great grandfather “Tom Howard” alias Jessie James.

Thanks again, Tom

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

If you are near San Bernardino you can come out to the Cajon Cowboys this coming Saturday to see what is going on.

This really is the best thing to do as the options are incredible!

If you go to a shoot don't be shy. Tell the people in charge who you are and why you are there. They will most likely help you find some people who will be happy to show you the ropes.

In some cases there are orientation sessions you can go to. At cajon you don't even have to have a gun to go to these as they will provide the guns, you just have to buy ammo. This is also recommended as a way to get started.

Good luck and I hope to see you out shooting!

[Lazarus Longshot]

Shuttleman,
Here's a link to the SASS website listing the SASS-affiliated clubs in California   http://www.sassnet.com/AClubs-CA-001A.php

Depending on which club you're near, the listings contain websites and contact phone numbers. Don't be shy about calling folks for information on their club! They will be happy to talk to you about this terrific sport.

Hope to see ya on the range!!!