Author Topic: first single action gun ??? (Read 2684 times)

45-70.gov · « **on:** April 16, 2009, 06:45:53 AM »

my son said he wants a COWBOY GUN.....just meaning a single action revolver

38/357 is the calliber we think based on cost and he carries a 38 j frame smith
he was leaning to the classic 45colt untill his friend couldn't find bullets for his

ruger black hawk.......will be the brand..... best value in ANY hand gun i think
not sure about bisley or standard----------------NEED SUGGESTIONS HERE-------------

viquaro might be an option.....but going between 38 and 357 and a new shooter the adjustable sight might be best

stainless.............with out any dought .... we live on the ocean

THE BIG QUESTION NOW------------------WHAT BARREL LENGTH

all my single actions are long.......he said too long
i am a double action fan and the 5 inch 44 smith is my favorite

7 and half is too long or do the advandages out wigh the size
so down to the 4.5 or 5.5

he does not hunt....mostly a plinking and pack packing gun survival do all
he won't just get a dozen revolvers like the rest of us

what is your favorite barrel length?
what do you suggest for him??
what other advice?

Bart Solo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:41:14 AM »

I have NM Vaqueros, but I am into cowboy shooting. If he isn't planning on shooting cowboy get a Blackhawk in stainless. The adjustable sights are worth it. As to barrel length, if you aren't buying 7 1/2 inch the difference between 4 5/8 and 5.5 is personal preference. There used to be a Blackhawk with a 6.5 inch barrel, but I don't think it has been produced in a long time.

Brett · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2009, 10:52:20 AM »

Since he's not into hunting or CAS I think he would be better served by the 4 5/8" Stainless Blackhawk.

Like bart said the adjustable sites would be a big help especially when switching between .38sp and .357 mag. loads. And the shorter barrel length would be easier to pack and a hair lighter.

Luckyducker · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:31:46 PM »

If he is wanting a wheel gun for packing the SS Ruger Blackhawk with 4 5/8" barrel is the only way. As for caliber, if you or him reload your own ammo I would advise a 45Colt, and if not then 44Mag. I guess a 357Mag is better than a sharp stick in all fairness but I would feel undergunned against some creatures.

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2009, 02:30:44 AM »

First of all, congratulation on going to a single action, you (he) will enjoy it very much. As to caliber, if he was leaning toward .45 colt, I would still suggest going that way. You know how it is when you want something but then go for a different one, you always regret not getting what you wanted in the first place. Another thing I think about is that the .357 is heavier because the holes aren't as big, and that DOES make a difference when carrying, especially when moving up from a J frame .38.
I must admit that ammo is a problem, way too much hording going on and causing problems for others. I know our local gun store has lost sales because they could not supply ammo for the gun the people wanted to buy. That should all catch up again shortly, the same as the magazine shortage for the AR's did. I believe most of us on Graybeard reload, and I for one, have a couple of boxes of factory ammo lying about for .45 colt that I will likely never use. And I'm sure I am not alone, so I think between a few of us we could get you enough ammo to get by until it is in the stores again, couldn't we guys? You are thinking things through well, but remember this still comes back to what YOU really want. Go with what feels good to you and what you like the looks of. 44 Man

sixgun_symphony · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2009, 04:13:21 AM »

My advise is to get a Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt and a Lyman 310 tool for reloading.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/lyman-310-tool.php

Autorim · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2009, 04:35:08 PM »

How old is your son? Is he capable of handling a .357 of .45 Colt?

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:12:50 AM »

.45 Colt .45 Colt .45 Colt......cant help but to grin and do love that caliber plus this place

blhof · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2009, 03:32:26 AM »

+1 for 45 Colt, that's what I got my son with the 5 1/2" barrel Blackhawk. I reload and he keeps me pretty busy sending me brass for refilling. He started out shooting my 357 supermag. so the recoil of the 45 is no big deal. Rhe Rugers are strong and dependable and for the value, relatively reasonably priced.

jimster · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2009, 07:35:40 AM »

Plus me for 45 colt, been messing with that caliber since I was 21 and out of all the different loads I've tried over the past 32 years the best all around load for me is just a 250 or 255 gr cast bullet with enough unique to make it go between 850 and 900 fps or somewhere in there. That's just about the time the cartridge case starts to get less blow back and starts expanding to fill the chamber I think. Plenty safe for either a Blackhawk or Colt/clone and any lever action. It doesn't make as shrill of a noise as the magnums if you touch it off in the woods, pleasant to shoot, and had enough power and penetration to handle most things. I love the 45 Colt, for me it's one of the best calibers ever made.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2009, 12:54:45 PM »

i just barely missed a few on-line auctions 357 4 n 4/8 5.5 and a 6,5

had $335 on a 44mag 5.5 for a few days then it went sky high in las 2 hours

i can just order a brand new one for much less than it sold for

i never did an on-line auction.....any feed back from someone that has

son is 26 he can handle it lol just not quite like us

Autorim · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2009, 04:19:20 PM »

26 years old? I would definitely go for the .45 Colt. I have single actions in .357, .41 mag and .45 Colt. The .357 is heavier as .44 Man says. It is a personal issue, but I prefer the Bisley grip and all of my single actions are on this grip frame. It is more hand-filling and handles recoil better. I shot my .41 today and plan on shooting the .45 tomorrow along with the XDm9 and M41.

The .45 is just plain fun to shoot and can be loaded up or down to suit your needs.

I disagree with the Lyman 310 tool. IMHO, if you are going to reload, buy a single action bench mount press.

Terry C. · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2009, 08:51:24 AM »

The subject of ammo availability was brought up in the first post. Time was when .45 Colt was not very widely carried in gun stores because of limited demand. Not so much anymore.

The sad fact is that right now ALL handgun ammo is in short supply and .38/.357 is among the hardest to find in stock at a decent price, at least in my experience.

Calibers like .45 Colt and .357 SIG can be found when nothing else can. And the demand-inflated prices of the more popular calibers have pretty much eliminated, and sometimes even reversed, the cost difference between .45 Colt (always pricey) and .357 Magnum (recently overpriced).

.45 Colt is a great caliber for reloaders. Components are big and easy to handle. And unless you are riding the ragged edge with extreme Ruger/FA/Contender-only hunting rounds, beyond SAAMI guidelines, pressures are fairly low.

It's pretty hard to mess up a standard .45 Colt load. They're not usually finicky eaters when it comes to components.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2009, 06:32:40 AM »

44 mag is the other option as that is what i shoot

the 5.5 is not advertized new that i can find in 357
4 5/8 and 6.5

Autorim · « **Reply #14 on:** April 27, 2009, 03:40:12 PM »

If you plan to reload, the .44mag can be a good choice. If you already have one, it can simplify things. I no longer have a .44mag single action as the .41 and .45 render the .44 not needed. IMHO, reloading is almost a must to learn to shoot a .44mag due to recoil and muzzle blast. With Trail Boss and Unique you can tailor some mighty easy shootin' loads. My .44 mag's now are chambered in rifle and S&W M29 firearms.

I still like the .45 Colt best though. I love dropping those big cartridges in those big holes.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2009, 04:40:56 AM »

like the batter swinging 2 bats before his turn to hit

we shoot the 500 S&W

we load and cast for the 44 and 357

just he alreaty has a 357 handi and 38 centinial

tried to order one today to add to another shipment but they were out

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:29:59 AM »

I prefer the 4 5/8" models for most stuff, but my 3 1/2" Birshead is the most comfortable to carry; I love that gun. If I ever get another, I might get adjustable sights put on, like the Quinn boys just had done.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2009, 01:59:57 PM »

i got a good deal on a 6.5 inch ss black hawk on an auction

he thinks its too long................good
i got a new toy it shoots great so far
just used it on steel plates

no paper and rest or distance yet

bluecow · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:34:54 AM »

get him the 45 if thats what he wants. buy what ya want the frist time then you wont have to buy it agian!

tomray · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:07:34 PM »

Quote from: jimster on April 25, 2009, 07:35:40 AM

Plus me for 45 colt, been messing with that caliber since I was 21 and out of all the different loads I've tried over the past 32 years the best all around load for me is just a 250 or 255 gr cast bullet with enough unique to make it go between 850 and 900 fps or somewhere in there. That's just about the time the cartridge case starts to get less blow back and starts expanding to fill the chamber I think. Plenty safe for either a Blackhawk or Colt/clone and any lever action. It doesn't make as shrill of a noise as the magnums if you touch it off in the woods, pleasant to shoot, and had enough power and penetration to handle most things. I love the 45 Colt, for me it's one of the best calibers ever made.

Jimster,
Well said...............I agree 100%..............It's funny how some of us gravitate up to the HI-VEL magnum stuff, and then back to what's comfortable to shoot and get the job done..........45 Colt in a USFA........Love it!

Tom
NRA LIFE

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:32:52 PM »

Well, as with driving or anything else, you have to find your limits, then figure out what is reasonable.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2009, 03:42:43 PM »

he carries 38 642 smith
me a 357 mad 640 smith
every day

we are set on 357

now he suggest we just get one of each barrel length

he is about to be one of us

Old Griz · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:51:58 PM »

Have you considered a Blackhawk Convertible? It comes in 4 5/8" barrel, and since you said the purpose of the gun would mainly be plinking, .38s and 9mm are the cheapest things to shoot short of a .22LR. (Hey . . . a Single Six?)

45-70.gov · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2009, 05:51:56 AM »

convertable not available in stainless

we load and cast 180 WFN

i miss my single six......maybe he needs one of those to loan me

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #24 on:** July 06, 2009, 05:57:11 AM »

Well, then you might wanna tell these guys: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133373790

Old Griz · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2009, 08:05:39 AM »

Gee, aside from a reasonable price, what more could you ask for?

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2009, 08:21:38 AM »

I was gonna ask if they took coupons....

henryb · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2009, 04:17:02 AM »

Quote from: Travis Morgan on July 06, 2009, 05:57:11 AM

Well, then you might wanna tell these guys: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133373790

Man ! I bought one just like it a few years ago at $525 for a project gun. I cant believe what is being asked for them these days.
I had Clements put some lipstick on it... I've got more $$ in it than I'd like to admit now but it's my heritage gun. It'll be my son's one day.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #28 on:** July 07, 2009, 04:57:14 AM »

Prices nearly doubled when they quit making the large frames.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #29 on:** July 07, 2009, 06:17:06 AM »

i like that 45 convertable

first stainless i ever saw

45 colt is a good round but hard to find some times
45 acp is easy to find and still a good round too