Revolver for daughter???

[no guns here]

Daughter wants a ".45 revolver"...

Background - great student, girl scout, venture scout, loves guns, likes to shoot, just turned 16, can't have a car since we live in Germany for a couple more years.  Has a 20 ga slug gun, a Beretta 390 and a Beretta 686 Onyx.  She said she might want a ".45 revolver for her birthday".

Now I don't have a problem picking one up for her but I'm not sure what to get...  Since she was reading my "Guns of the Old West" magazine, I'm pretty sure she was talking about a single-action.  I'm not sure what would fit her hand.  I don't know anyone here who has an SA to try out.  I don't want to get her something that won't fit...  any ideas???


ngh

[Lloyd Smale]

4 5/8s new model vaquero would be great for a women. the small grip frame would fit like a glove.

[Ken ONeill]

Yep.

[Mikey]

While you are checking out single action revolvers, check out the Cimarron Arms offerings.  EMF, Uberti and American Western Arms also make nice 1873 replicas.  I believe Cimarron also produces 1873s with 'birds-head' grips and one of these three may even produce a Schofield.  The question is the fit of the grip/gun for your daughter's hands.

I just finished an article in the American Gunsmithing magazine that showed how to smooth out the Uberti 1873 model offering; it was pretty informative.

I recently visited a local western shop that sells lots of 1873 clones and prefers selling the EMF offerings but this shop owner also smoothes out every single action that he sells. 

I know that the Cimarrons come pretty smooth out of the box and they even have an offering that includes 'enhancements' (such as oversized base pins, trigger jobs and general smoothing).  They also have an antique finish that makes thse guns look like they are indeed 125 years old but they are smooth and shoot great.  They also have gorgeous nickeled offerings in the 1873s and I lust for one every time I see the catalog.  Ahhhh, so many guns, so little time............ Mikey.

[PA-Joe]

Rugers also makes a 45ACP/45Colt Combo with the two cylinders!

[coyotejoe]

If she happens to have very small hands you might consider one of the Bisley types, they look a bit "unusual" but handle very well. Ruger does build a good gun but they are a bit heavy and bulky compared to a Colt.

[Lloyd Smale]

Ill add one other suggestion. I picked up a ruger montado about a year ago and its become one of my main go to guns. Its small enough to carry in your front pocket and a pretty dammed good shooter. I like it much better then my standard 4 5/8s new vaquero mostly because of the shorter super blackhawk hammer. It would be an ideal gun for a women or younger person.

[kennisondan]

While I do not have the experience of others here, I have some and would suggest the vaquero with a bird's head grip .. or the regular grip if she likes it better... I have large hands and the birdhead is easily held with the 45 loads... the birdhead grip is smaller and rounded and the new vaquero has a smaller frame than an original vaquero...
I would not hesitate to put a colt clone from usfa for a made in america very fine and great handling gun that looks very orignal and in fact is very close to the original colts.. the color case hardening of the frame on the usfa's makes the package very authentic... and the grip is not large at all, most women would be fine with it... if her hands are too small for a colt or ruger standard grip then the birdhead seems the answer.
By the way : you can get the colt clone usfa with a standard black, deep colt blue or case hardening of the frame and it looks and shoots super.. it is a bit lighter than the vaquero, IIRC....
I have no experience with the montado but LLoyd is extremely experienced and I would trust that opinion... mikey and the others too... I just have a few guns and a few opinions... thought I would share...
Mainly, the usfa needed to be mentioned and the birdhead grip on the rugers and other guns would be a good choice if ones hands required a small grip....
you should also consider whether there is an abundance of affordable 45 acp rounds out there and if so it may be a good option to add... the extra cylinders are pretty cool if gotten for a reason like that..
hope this helps.. let us all know what you chose and how she likes it... sounds like a super girl....
and a good dad
dk

[no guns here]

alright... I've done some digging and found that most of the clones are still being built by Uberti.  I'm looking at the Cimmaron Model P's as well as the Ruger New Vaquero and the convertible Blackhawk.  It's rough when you can't go look at them...  I have to sit down with her and figure out what she REALLY wants and what she wants to DO with it.  I'm leaning toward the convertible Blackhawk but I know she has her eye on something "pretty"....  Either way I go it's cheaper and safer than a car...


ngh

[torpedoman]

hawes is a fine 45 made in germany as good if not better than most single actions.

[Old Griz]

If she really likes guns of the Old West, maybe something a little different like a 1871 Richards-Mason Conversion revolver in .45 Colt? Or a Colt Open Top?

www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/cfRichardsMason.tpl

www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/cfOpenTop.tpl

These are a little different, and I think they look great. (esp. the Richards-Mason)

Cimarron imports them, too, but I've some pretty bad stories about their Customer Service. (However, I have a Cimarron Open Top and haven't had any problems with it.)

If you want something that will last forever and be a fine shooter, the Ruger Vaquero.

[Broom Rider]

45 Vaquero or the USFA Cowboy in 45 Colt should each be good guns and close in price.

[Mikey]

ngh:  I'm still looking at one of Cimarron's Model P; probably 4&5/8.  I am having a terrible time trying to decide between their 'antiqued' finish which I have seen before or one of their nickle plates.  I have hefted a Cimarron and one of the New Vaqueros and for the feel of the original 1873 the Cimarron takes it over the Ruger.  Either Ruger model will be heavier than the Cimarron.  

But, you said it yourself - you have to sit down with her and find out what she wants to do with it.  I don't know what CASS activities there are in Germany but there are lots and lots over here if that is what she may be leaning toward and for that I would recommend the Cimarron.  

Your daughter does not seem to be any stranger to firearms and as far as grip fit is concerned, see how she grips those shotguns.  If she has enough finger to wrap around the grip of a shotgun she should not have any problems holding onto the 1873 grip.  It may even be a tad small for her in which case ya'll can get her a pair of 'gunfighter' grips which add a bit of a palm swell for those who find the 1873 grips on the small-ish side.

Barrel length - I would opt for one of the shorter lengths, the 4&5/8 or 5&1/2 - I find them easier to bring to bear and sight with.  Please understand that the 1873 is not a large, or large frame revolver;  it is a medium frame revolver and a long barrel makes it unwieldy, for me at least.

The strength of the 1873s has been enhanced only by the use of modern metals and quality control.  They are good revolvers with a good solid service life and the Cimarrons are very good choices that come with lots of options.  

Old Griz has a good recommendation too.

If you really want to make her jaw drop, get her a Cimmaron Arms catalog and watch her forget all about cars, boyfriends, the prom and anything of minor importance.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[no guns here]

Well, I sat down with her and asked her what she really wanted and what she wanted to use it for.  Turns out she likes the looks of the Cimmaron since it was pretty (color case hardening) and was cool looking.  She just wants one for maybe some target shooting... she didn't specify what kind of targets.  We talked about the lack of adjustable iron sights which swayed her toward the Ruger's.  She liked the idea of the convertible Rugers.  She says she might want to try some handgun hunting when we move back to the US.  Another point for the Rugers..  I can't get her to commit to either one... but then she's like that.  It takes her forever to make up her mind since she's afraid that no matter which one she picks, she'll end up wanting the other one!  I told her that happens to me all the time, and that's why I'm always looking at other guns.  Not much in the way of CAS stuff here for kids.  Have to be 18 to do it.  I'm pretty sure we'll end up with a Ruger for her.  She's a practical girl (who is just now at 16 starting to get into things that are "pretty") although she does have an eye for nice guns.  You guys are full of great suggestions and information.  Thanks so much!!!  She won't get her pistol until we go on leave this fall sometime.  They are really expensive here so I'll have to have my dealer make sure he has one on hand in Oct/Nov so I can pick it up for her.


ngh

[williamlayton]

This sounds like a fun dilemma for both of you and is a sound way for you too connect with her. Your doing a good job and I am proud for both of you.
Too add too the confusion there are some other things that may be considered.
A GOOD Smith can alter the barrel length of any choosing. Color case hardening is offered by more than one or two folks around here.
Shoot, there is a ton of ways too spend your money---and at her age she has probably already figgered you out.
Blessings

[no guns here]

Bad thing is she is one of four... Got another one turning 16 next week.  She's not into guns too much though.  She likes to shoot but is happy to just shoot mine.  You're right though... the first one has me all figured out.  I pretty much have to get something functional for her.  If she wants it changed or made prettier, then she'll have to pay for it.  I just found out that I have an urgent need for an accurate .22 here in Germany.  Man... the needs just keep changing.

ngh