[7.62mmFMJ]

Well, we took the plunge, or half the plunge, or maybe 3/4 plunge.

We we shooting the CC guns this morning. It became obvious pretty quickly that the S&W M60 (now hers, was mine :( ), while an outstanding up close and personal defense weapon, it is not an acceptable "ranch" gun. Or, at least that was what I was able to convince her of :D

So we went to our favorite gun store up in Beaver which is open on Sunday.

Two Ruger New Vaqueros in .357/.38 (5.5") round out the wife's collection with a Puma .357 cowboy rifle. These two guns will be rotated for ranch/security duty in a single holster rig for now. She will need to pick out a double rig later. Wife and son will carry the two Rugers on the ranch.

We also picked up a Norinco coach gun with exposed hammers. For now we will share this.

I found a Vaquero in .44 mag 7.5 inch. I decided to suck that up and had the dealer locate a 5.5 inch version. I have a wonderful little .44 Trapper so I am near done collecting hardware. I have magnum cases loaded at 950 fps or I also have .44 special loads (cowboy). Since I am already .44 to the max I think starting up in .45 would be expensive. SO, since I can find CAS-qualified Vaquero's in .44 mag, I will go that route. The 7.5" will be carried cross-draw and the 5.5 inch will be strong side carry.

We had an early dinner in Beaver and headed back to the ranch.

I set up more targets and cleaned/function checked all. The Mrs. is a natural - hitting a Pepsi can at 15 yards within the 1st cylinder from the Ruger! Son was equally accurate, but then I expect that because he cleaned the targets up this morning.

My Vaquero was also impressive. Mild and accurate.

Son was running around blasting stuff with the greener shotgun :D +POOF+ stuff just disappeared :D

I got some range time in with the Trapper and, as always, I am impressed with the accuracy of the little carbine. Blasted a can at 15 yards and it kept walking further out. At about 50 yards I lost sight of it in the weeds.

[MaidMarian]

Mike, you had an all around wonderful day. Spent the day with your wife and son, picked up a couple (4) guns (lost one), had dinner, and went shooting. :up: :up: :up:

All after going horseback riding the other day? Guess you can be third on my list. :lol:

[Mike Weber]

Two Ruger New Vaqueros in .357/.38 (5.5") round out the wife's collection with a Puma .357 cowboy rifle. These two guns will be rotated for ranch/security duty in a single holster rig for now. She will need to pick out a double rig later. Wife and son will carry the two Rugers on the ranch.

Excellent choices I'd recommend a ranger style cartridge belt with right and left strongside holsters for the Rugers. This type of rig gives the option of shooting "Gunfighter" style in SASS matches and eliminates the need to do the crossdraw dance when drawing the second pistol. Those Puma's are great rifles they are a strong action in a levergun. Mine does double duty for brush country hunting and CAS.

We also picked up a Norinco coach gun with exposed hammers. For now we will share this.
I've got one of these I shoot mostly blackpowder handloads through it but I've also taken quite a few birds with it including many quail and a mallard duck. Those blackpowder loads send flames nearly to the target and make a huge smoke cloud.

I found a Vaquero in .44 mag 7.5 inch. I decided to suck that up and had the dealer locate a 5.5 inch version. I have a wonderful little .44 Trapper so I am near done collecting hardware. I have magnum cases loaded at 950 fps or I also have .44 special loads (cowboy). Since I am already .44 to the max I think starting up in .45 would be expensive. SO, since I can find CAS-qualified Vaquero's in .44 mag, I will go that route. The 7.5" will be carried cross-draw and the 5.5 inch will be strong side carry.

Again good choice considering that you allready had a rifle chambered in .44 Mag. I went with .45 Colt because I allready had several revolvers in that chambering before I got into CAS. Had I been starting out fresh with no cowboy guns I would have probably gone with .44-40 chambering for all my CAS guns as I had planned on shooting BP and those bottlenecked cartridges tend to seal the breech while straight walled cartridges tend to produce blowby gasses in lever action rifles. I've pretty much solved this by using thinner walled Winchester brass and a tight bullet crimp which allows pressures to build before the bullet starts moving giving a better breech seal in the rifle and still within the SASS max velocity requirements for handloads.

Sounds like ya'll had fun, just wait til you get started shooting in CAS matches.:D :up:

[7.62mmFMJ]

My son is phenomenal busting clays with his H&R single shot. I can;t wait to get him out there with the coach gun :D Certainly not optimal, but it should be fun to try.

Yes. MM, 4 guns in one trip and some leather. $2k and some change.

[Popeye]

I am near done collecting hardware.
You really expect us to believe this?..:D

Well, I guess it all depends on your definition of "near".

[7.62mmFMJ]

I am also near death, near being independently wealthy, and near the end of the rainbow :D

[MtJerry]

I wish I lived near you ...

I'd love to sit on my porch drinking coffee and hearing the neighbors enjoy such a day. Of course I'd have to put the coffee in a travel mug and come join you after hearing about 1.5 seconds of it ... :D :D