Re: Single Action Sixgun - What ya'lls got?
My S/As are just for fun, no heavy loads, just SASS power LFN and a few Winchester Silvertips just to see how they handled. I've got a matched pair of 4 3/4" Nickel (for blackpower clean-up) AWA "Peacekeeper", Model P clones in .45 Colt. AWA built the guns in the US from Italian and US parts, they were nearby so I bought them direct shortly after they opened in 2000 or maybe early 2001. The triggers were tuned, while I looked over the gunsmith's shoulder, to a crisp 3 lbs and they shot to POA w/ 250 LFN right from the factory. Only problem I had was; at the end of my first match (didn't win the match against the .38s, but at least shot it clean
) I noticed the nickel had begun to flake just along the edge of the cylinder face. Brought them back to AWA and had them back, re-nickeled in less than a week as I remember. Not one single problem since, the triggers and timing have stayed perfect as has the nickel, the guns look almost new.
Within a couple months, since AWA was being really good to me, I also bought all 3 traditional barrel length, premium finish, blue/color case versions, a 4 3/4", 5 1/2" and 7 1/2" in .45 Colt of course. All 3 are safe queens primarily because the nickeled guns worked out so well and I'm gone for work more than I'm home since buying them. One can still find AWAs on the used gun market BTW.
Also have a couple 7" S&W Schofield clones in .45 Colt, a Cimmaron which is closer to period correct, but seems to have loosened up a bit more than I'd like and a Navy Arms which has the transfer bar ignition instead of the original hammer nose firing pin. They get the same 250 LFN cowboy loads, are accurate and shoot to the minescule sights, reload X times faster, if that is important to you, but they just don't "hang" like the Colts. I wouldn't recomend them for anything but fun shoots and there, they just can't compete against the Model Ps
.
If you're thinking bangin' around woods gun, I'd go with the smaller frame Ruger New Vaquero, they are still plenty strong for normal SD loads though maybe not up to some of the bear stompin' 300+ grain solids that the first large frame Vaqueros are known to handle. They've only been out a couple three years as "New Vaqueros", but the frame is the original Ruger frame of old. The Colt-ish frame just seems to fit the hand better, they fit in leather cut for the Model P Colt and unlike the tradional Model Ps and clones are safe with 6 beans in the wheel. My Ruger S/As are older and have adjustable sights, but aren't .45 Colt so I can only comment from shooting several friends .45 Colt Ruger S/As. If later you decide you want to dress up like a fool and shoot cowboy matches, you're half way there, with pistols anyway
.
Of course if you can afford the best, like Nesikabay said, Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull & .45 Colt cylinder is the way to go. Shoot .45 Colt unless/until you want the added power of the Casull. You can even get a .45ACP cylinder fitted too if you're already set up for it. FA revolvers have a larger grip and a grip angle similar to a Colt Bisley rather than the traditional Model P Colt. Got a friend in Western Montana who works as a logger and occasional guide who swears by his. Besides, they are damned nice folks there in Freedom, Wyoming and I'd imagine since they are just a wide spot in the road on the way north to Jackson the economy could sure use the boost.
Like Psywar said, USFA has an excellent reputation, but I've only shot a couple myself, and then only a cylinder or two.
I've got several friends who shoot nothing but Colts, but privately admit that some of the clones work just as well as the 3rd. generation Colts. They also insist that there is just something about the Colt, the original Colt. And I'll admit they're probably right, choosing a S/A and a 136 year old cartridge to put in it over of a modern D/A Magnum is nostalgia at it's finest.
Enjoy the nostalgia, sometimes the searchin' is half the fun.
Best of luck in your search...
