Author Topic: Which Single Action? (Read 2733 times)

Matt in AK · « **on:** May 22, 2005, 05:13:49 AM »

Howdy Folks,

I'm scrapin' together cash for my next handgun purchase. Sold my longbow; sellin' a box of Alaska books, a S&W, and my FA 83 as well. I know what I want -- a sweet handlin', ivory-stocked, SAA-style gun in either 45 Colt or 44-40. I'm considering the Doug Turnbull Cowboy Classic (gorgeous), Colt SAA (the original), USFA, and perhaps the new Ruger Vacqueros (steel grip frame and I sure hope they did away with the warnings on the barrel [?]). Any insights from you folks?

Thanks,

Matt

22popnsplat · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2005, 05:26:16 AM »

Why would anybody give up a FA to buy a Ruger ? A freind of mine sold off 3 rugers to buy his FA and says if he had 3 more rugers to sell he would have another FA .
Would not the sale of the smith and the bow get you close enough to the price of a Ruger ?

Matt in AK · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2005, 06:49:40 AM »

22popnsplat,

The FA served its purpose as my constant companion in Alaska; always on my hip and enough punch (454) to give some comfort. The missus, however, has made it crystal clear we won't be moving back to AK

...Wyoming, maybe, but nowhere closer than that. That being the case, I prefer something a bit less heavy than the FA. It's a big gun for a big job. Notice that ivory grips will adorn the new sidearm.

I've got 'em on two pistols already and, though they're beautiful, they ain't cheap. I also happen to prefer blued guns and the FA is stainless -- good for AK but I ain't in AK anymore.

Matt

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2005, 07:42:35 AM »

hard to beat the quality of a usfa

Old Griz · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2005, 08:44:40 AM »

:cb2: I had never heard of USFA until this week, and I must say that their Omni Potent Six Shooter has to be one of the most beautiful handguns I have ever seenexcept for the "Omni Potent Six Shooter" engraved all the way down the barrel. Kinda pricy for me, but I don't have a FA to sell to raise funds for it either!

www.usfirearms.com/cat/omnipotent.asp

My price range for a unique handgun was a Cimarron Arms Colt 1872 Open Top. Fun yet affordable, and not everyone has (or wants) one.

www.cimarron-firearms.com/OpenTop7.5Army.htm

Catfish · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2005, 02:52:28 PM »

Matt,
I still see no reason to sell the FA. I live in Ohio and have a Red Hawk in .454, a Rageing Bull in .454 and a .500 S&W. I also have 3 - .44 mag. but I`m setting up to carry the .454 Red Hawk for deer while walking or driveing and the .500 for a stand gun. I`ve never killed a deer with eather yet, but I`m pretty sure they will do as good as my .44 mag. and I`ve killed a bunch of deer with them.
If you want a Ruger they are probibly the best gun on the market for the money, but they are not close to your FA. Keep the FA and buy a Ruger. You will live to regret it if you sell the FA.

TScottO · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2005, 03:41:02 PM »

I may be tossed to the dogs but when it comes to single actions Im just not a Ruger fan unless they have been turned in to a work of art by a well named Smith. If I were to replace a premium firearm like a FA I would replace it with a premium firearm. Spending the kind of money you are fixin to let go Id make it worth while and buy exactly what I wanted. If its a blued gun you want Id buy the best even if that meant buying a Ruger and sending it to Bowen. Ivory stocks are nice but I wouldnt sacrifice the mechanical quality/precision of my iron for them.

Take Care,
Scott

msmith · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2005, 04:14:26 PM »

Keep the 83 even if you get something else. If you don't, you will be kicking yourself someday. If you cannot afford to keep it and get another, then just keep the 83. My .02

targetshootr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2005, 04:36:29 PM »

I'm going through the same thing except for the moving part.

Lately I've been on an old model Ruger binge. I even put my 83 up for sale, blasphemer that I am. It is a great gun but I hardly ever use it. I love the 44 flat tops and old N frames and rarely do they see anything over 1000 fps. I don't hunt and if I ever do I've got Marlins left over from a previous rampage.

And, old models make great project guns whereas FAs can't be tweaked much other than new grips.

As for a SAA, USFA is making the best ones nowdays. You might even pick up a used Rodeo and spruce it up later.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2005, 01:23:23 PM »

Targetshootr and Lloyd Smale, et al.,

You two aren't the first to tell me about the USFA single actions. I like what Doug Turnbull is doing with them and that might be just the thing for me.

Thanks Guys,

Matt

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 24, 2005, 08:39:45 AM »

Turnbulls are nice, but they start with Colts. With the USFA you have a finer fit and a Turnbull finish from the outset. Go to their website and be dazzeled with the options. Find one to see and feel and be dazzeled by the quality.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2005, 12:19:29 PM »

Blackhawk44,

I got the impression from Doug Turnbull's site http://turnbullrestoration.com/cowboyclassic.htm that he started with a USFA revolver to make the particular gun I'm interested in, the Cowboy Classic. Are you saying that all USFA revolvers get the Turnbull treatment?

Cheers,

Matt[/url]

Onty · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2005, 05:14:16 PM »

Quote from: Matt in AK

22popnsplat,
That being the case, I prefer something a bit less heavy than the FA. It's a big gun for a big job.
Matt

If the weight is the issue, why not FA 97? Its available in 22 LR, 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Special, 45 LC...

Matt in AK · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2005, 12:59:38 AM »

'cause I like color case hardened steel and blued steel...and ivory grips look better on the blued guns...

WhelenMan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2005, 03:14:23 AM »

Turnbull does the case coloring on any guns that come from Bowens shop that have the finish. Easy choice, you get the best of both worlds...a Bowen revolver with Turnbull finish. Send him a Bisley and about $2300 and you'll get back a very packable sidearm that you can load for anything from whitetails to cape buffalo. That won't include the ivory grips though.

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:28:20 AM »

Blackhawk wrote:

Quote

Turnbulls are nice, but they start with Colts.

Sorry to differ - The Turnbull Classic uses USFA's ordered from the factory in the "white", and they do their magic to them.

I order a consecutively numbers pair last year. Hands down they are the nicest SAA I own (for Cowboy - exclude my FA).

They may not have the "Colt" name - but from a quality standpoint, they are tough the beat.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2005, 02:19:53 PM »

My dealer invited me to his house to take a look at his USFA. Wrong barrel length for me but oh what a beautiful gun. Fit and finish beyond perfect. He's got a 5.5" with 1/4 engraving coming in for himself next week. That may have to be exactly what I order.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2005, 04:14:23 PM »

My only suggestion is that you go with the .45 colt caliber. It is my favorite and a pleasure to load for. I hope you post a picture of your choice when it is complete.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2005, 05:36:43 AM »

bigjeepman,

I'm ignorant. What advantages does the 45 Colt hold over the 44-40?

Thanks,

Matt

ajj · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2005, 07:40:25 AM »

.45 Colt is much easier to load for because .44-40 brass needs lubing and de-lubing and is thin, rather fragile and expensive. The .45 brass uses carbide dies, is much more available and lasts forever. The .45 handles a wider range of loads from plinkers to seriously high-performance rounds. If you don't handload, a wider range of factory loads is available at a lower price in the .45.

EdK · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2005, 03:35:32 PM »

I've been looking for a "companion" single action for some time now: a shooter, something I don't have to baby yet not exactly a beater. Found that the old Vaquero just didn't do it for me. Couldn't get myself to buy an import. Was thinking about one of the new Vaqueros...

Yesterday I found myself cruising the a local gun shop's used inventory: behold... a "used" unfired 4 3/4" USFA Rodeo in 45 Colt! Locked up about as tight as my FA 83 - case colored hammer too. Needless to say I did not let this one slip away.

I shot it today. I am happy to have found my companion...

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #21 on:** May 27, 2005, 09:07:47 PM »

I cannot, for the life of me, determine what kind of madness would make one trade in an FA 83 for another SA revolver.

jd45 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2005, 12:37:21 PM »

As I understand it, Turnbull does all the case-hardening for USFA, & a beautiful job he does, too! I just got my older model OmniPotent Target back from the factory, where Peter Rhodes changed the firing pin back to the 1st gen. straight cone shape from the 1920's style it pin came with. The hammer assembly was then sent to Doug for re-casehardening.........the colors are magnificent!!! jd45

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2005, 09:38:16 PM »

I've got a Turnbull laying in my gunsafe that's just CRY'N to get out to the range but all my 45 Colt cases are loaded to Vaquero levels so I'll have to shoot'm thru the Vaquero (nasty business! :wink: ) and then reload'm up lighter for the USFAMC gun. SOON! SOON!!

jd45 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 31, 2005, 03:29:51 PM »

Dusty, I just ordered a USFA Single Action revolver from the factory thru my FFL dealer..........as good as that is , should I cough up the extra $300
for a Turnbull Cowboy Classic? (on sale @ $1150). I'm getting the gun for $825. Is there really that much extra in Doug's gun? By the way, mine is case-hardened-blued; 7-1/2" bbl; .45 Colt cal.; cross-pin frame; square-notch rear sight-flat front sight; & rubber grips, jd45

m-g Willy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 31, 2005, 03:38:35 PM »

I've got a Uberti Hartford in 45 colt that I would put up against any Colt or Ruger in fit or finnish.
BUT!!! --If I had the money to put real ivory on a gun I would make sure it was American (Get the Colt in 45 with the blackpowder frame and have the Colt custom shop go over it to make it look like a first generation SAA)
You'll have a small fortune in it ,but ---by golly you'll have the real thing :grin:
--Willy

Matt in AK · « **Reply #26 on:** June 01, 2005, 12:07:31 PM »

My dealer is checking to see if Turnbull has reduced prices for the dealers. I'll let you know the scoop.

jd45 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 02, 2005, 01:11:08 PM »

Spoke to Keith at Turnbull's today. He said there's about a 3 month wait for one of their Cowboy Classics. They start with USFA's Pre-War SAA in white, then do the polishing & blueing-nothing done internally. He did say they have a couple of oddball caliber guns laying around, one of which is in .44-40, so if anybody out there's a 427 nut, you might contact them, jd45.

narvous · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2005, 06:03:56 PM »

RV #1 :grin:

Kid Sopris · « **Reply #29 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:44:08 AM »

Well this one is for Sale, Colt SAA, 3rd Generation Factory "C" Engraved Nickle, 4 3/4" .44-40, Bull's Eye Ejector, with factory Ivory, and Factory letter, One of Kind, used by Colt in trade shows around the worls to show off Colt's work.
Serious Inquiries only. kidsopris33290@msn.com