[bobotech]

I am now having the itch to get a short barreled 45LC of some sort. I am in love with the way the Sherrif's models look.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent reliable Sherrif's style single action revolver?

I would like something in a 3 inch barrel length in 45LC or maybe 357 mag.

No double actions need apply, I have never been drawn to short barreled double actions.

I would like something reasonably priced, not a custom job if at all possible.

I like the way this revolver looks except would like a tad shorter barrel:

http://www.emf-company.com/images3/1873-stallion-birdshead.jpg

[lead]

Uberti has the Cattleman's Bird Head model on their website, and list a 3.5 inch model. Most Uberti's I've seen look pretty well made.

[bobotech]

Where is a good place to find street pricing on the Ubertis?

[weaverrick]

You might take a look at the ruger montado though it has a 3 3/4 inch barrel. I really like mine.
or you could bite the bullet(sorry couldn't resist) and buy a Colt. They are available in 2, and 3 inch variants

[Mike Weber]

Bo:
You might try Sportsmans Warehouse They carry a good selection of new Uberti's. There is also the Ruger Birdshead Vaquero available with IIRC a 3inch barrel. One of those would go along great with your other Vaquero.

[StrawHat]

I am in love with the way the Sherrif's models look.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent reliable Sherrif's style single action revolver?



If you aren't welded to the cartridge idea, this is a cheap alternative.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/1860SheriffSmall.jpg

All it takes is the basic gun, a hacksaw and a file.

I have since added a front sight and a new set of grips but thought you might like an option to an expensive cartridge revolver.

I guess you could do the same with a cartridge gun if you don't need the extractor.

And as much as I like these, holsters are a real pain as the grips off balance the short barrel and tend to pull the gun away from the body.

The best holster I've used so far is a pancake.

keep us posted on what you decide.

Good luck

[bobotech]

Bo:
You might try Sportsmans Warehouse They carry a good selection of new Uberti's. There is also the Ruger Birdshead Vaquero available with IIRC a 3inch barrel. One of those would go along great with your other Vaquero.

You hit the nail on the head. Thats what I want, is a nice match for my Vaquero.

Add a little bit of variety to my cowboy gun collection. Then I will have to consider getting a 45LC leveraction to match my 357. LOL

Speaking of cowboy guns, Keith called to tell me that my Model 97 pump shotgun came in today, I'm going to pick it up tonight.

[bobotech]

OKay, Ubertis are trustworthy, as is Cimmaron I assume since they are handpicked Ubertis, but what about EMF guns?

I would love a short Ruger but they are quite a bit more expensive than the Uberti/off brands but I also don't want a piece of junk.

[ExSniper]

I bought an EMF SAA .45 Colt about 20 years ago.It has been a a solide shooter ever since. No problems and it has played CAS and been hunting and even gets some CCW carry.

[bobotech]

I found a really nice Cimmaron 3 1/2 inch barrel birdshead grip shorty tonight. Came with the 45LC and 45acp cylinders, the dealer is asking 369, is that a decent price? Gun looks nearly perfect, unfired.

[Popeye]

That is a decent price. Better than decent in California.

[bobotech]

Hmm... Damn. I wasn't planning on REALLY buying another gun but I really like this one.

I'm assuming that these guns are designed for Colt SAA style loading only, no Ruger loads. Thats the only bummer. I'm still kind of kicking around the idea of buying a normal old Vaquero and shortening the barrel myself (I have access to a machinest friend and a lathe), then I could still shoot the hot stuff.

Hmmm...

[Mike Weber]

OKay, Ubertis are trustworthy, as is Cimmaron I assume since they are handpicked Ubertis, but what about EMF guns?

Cimmaron revolvers are manufactured from Uberti made parts assembled at the Cimmaron factory in Texas.

My experience with the EMF labeled guns is this... Some of them are Uberti made guns some are Great Western made guns. The Great Western guns seem to be good quality, The Uberti's bearing the EMF label can be a crapshoot in terms of quality. Uberti seems to pay closer attention to quality issues on the guns bearing their own brand name, Another factor could be that EMF is buying factory blems from Uberti.

I'm assuming that these guns are designed for Colt SAA style loading only, no Ruger loads.
Yep! If it ain't a Ruger don't attempt shooting Ruger/TC loads in it.

[ExSniper]

I'm assuming that these guns are designed for Colt SAA style loading only, no Ruger loads. Thats the only bummer. I'm still kind of kicking around the idea of buying a normal old Vaquero and shortening the barrel myself (I have access to a machinest friend and a lathe), then I could still shoot the hot stuff.
Hmmm...
While Vaqueros are a little stronger than the SAA (especially old SAA) they are not Ruger Blackhawks and are not strong enough for the loads you can shoot from a Blackhawk. You probably know that but some who read this thread may not.
Also, how much power do you need from a .45 LC? My old blackpowder frame SAA will put out a pretty effective round without the heavy hotloads!

[Sir Knight]

How about the new Ruger Vaquero Montado

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Products/329L.jpg (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5120&return=Y)

[bobotech]

While Vaqueros are a little stronger than the SAA (especially old SAA) they are not Ruger Blackhawks and are not strong enough for the loads you can shoot from a Blackhawk. You probably know that but some who read this thread may not.
Also, how much power do you need from a .45 LC? My old blackpowder frame SAA will put out a pretty effective round without the heavy hotloads!

Thats not what I was told when considering the old Vaqueros. I'm not referring to the current "New Model Vaqueros" which are SAA sized and aren't rated for the heavy Blackhawk loads. I have been told by various people that the old Vaqueros (the ones made up until a couple of years ago) are basically Blackhawk frames with fixed SAA style sights.

The main reason why I would want to get another Ruger, mainly incase I mix up some of my ammo by accident. If I have to make different loads for different guns, then I wil have to worry about which gun gets which load.

[prophet]

just get some 'trailboss' brass and use them for the short barrel only...


The main reason why I would want to get another Ruger, mainly incase I mix up some of my ammo by accident. If I have to make different loads for different guns, then I wil have to worry about which gun gets which load.

[Mike Weber]

just get some 'trailboss' brass and use them for the short barrel only...
Or color code your ammo boxes... I keep all of my .45 Colt hunting and defensive loads separated from my Cowboy and target loads by packaging them in color coded boxed.

[shu246]

yeah, the cimaron thunderer, little one at the bottom,
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Specialty/ThundererStd.htm#
keeps calling to me. dual cylinder, 45colt and 45acp.

[Marshal Pb Slinger]

Check out this auction on Gunbroker. It's the old frame Ruger so it will handle the loads you want.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93659915

I bought one like this a little while ago but in SS with a Birdshead grip and love it. Goes nicely with the other Vaqueros I have.

[bobotech]

yeah, the cimaron thunderer, little one at the bottom,
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Specialty/ThundererStd.htm#
keeps calling to me. dual cylinder, 45colt and 45acp.

Yup!! Thats the one that my local shop has. The Cimarron in 45acp/45lc in the short barrel with the case hardened finish and short barrel.

He is asking 379 for it.

I'm really tempted.,

[bobotech]

Check out this auction on Gunbroker. It's the old frame Ruger so it will handle the loads you want.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93659915

I bought one like this a little while ago but in SS with a Birdshead grip and love it. Goes nicely with the other Vaqueros I have.

Ohhh, nice!! I wonder what that will close for? The only thing I would want to change would be to put the birdshead on it. I think that the sherrifs model with the birdshead grip is beautiful looking.

[Mike Weber]

Ohhh, nice!! I wonder what that will close for? The only thing I would want to change would be to put the birdshead on it. I think that the sherrifs model with the birdshead grip is beautiful looking. And all this coming from a guy who until a year ago didn't think that revolvers were cool til after shooting my cowboy guns with blackpowder loads.:D

[bobotech]

And all this coming from a guy who until a year ago didn't think that revolvers were cool til after shooting my cowboy guns with blackpowder loads.:D

Thats next. I want to get a black powder measure and load up some rounds for my vaquero. Might be fun!

[Mike Weber]

Bring the brass over I got a bunch of 250 gr. blackpowder bullets allready cast. Gotta get some more FFFg Goex.

[StrawHat]

Thats next. I want to get a black powder measure and load up some rounds for my vaquero. Might be fun!

Oh oh, he's hooked!

Play him easy Mike, play him easy!

[weaverrick]

Yup. Just get him alongside the boat!

[Marshal Pb Slinger]

Yup. Just get him alongside the boat!

I too think I'll be hooked on blackpowder. I addition to the Birdshead Vaquero I recently aquired, I just purchased this week a Pietta 1860 Army .44 cal. to be a shooter!

[Marshal Pb Slinger]

Ohhh, nice!! I wonder what that will close for? The only thing I would want to change would be to put the birdshead on it. I think that the sherrifs model with the birdshead grip is beautiful looking.

Well, it has an opening price of $495 with no reserve and no bidders so far so.....

I'm on the road this week. When I get back, I'll see if I can figure out how to post pictures (I'm a new guy on the forum) here and post one of my Birdshead.

[weaverrick]

Maybe when you get back you can help an old friend who's "photo illiterate". Then I can post a pic of my montado.

[bobotech]

Can I run black powder in my 357/38spcl loads as well in my blackhawks and puma lever action?

[StrawHat]

Can I run black powder in my 357/38spcl loads as well in my blackhawks and puma lever action?

Yep, make sure you go with a black powder specific lube. and don't mix smokeless rounds and BP rounds. It creates a horrible mess!

I used some BP loads once in a PPC competition. Same score but a wonderful reaction from the guys downwind.

Some of the histories of the 38 Special have it originally loaded with BP.

[bobotech]

Sounds like fun.

[Mike Weber]

If you want to shoot Blackpowder out of your .38 Special/.357 Mag then you need a bullets that are optimized for blackpowder. I recommend this mold.
http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ProductID=2
Blackpowder bullets need to carry plenty of soft bulletlube these bullets have a very large lube groove. This family of molds was developed by a group of CAS blackpowder shooters in order to keep the powder fouling under control and keep the guns running smoothly.

[madcratebuilder]

I changed grip frame and hammer on this nmbh. My next one well get a shorter barrel.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/PICT0011Medium.jpg

[bobotech]

Very nice!! I like it.

I need to get some pics of my latest gun, I got one over the weekend. I took Mike with me since I value his judgement on such things and bought a Cimarron Thunderer with the 3 1/2 inch barrel and 45LC and 45ACP cylinders for 375 out the door.

I really like the idea of having both cylinders which is why I paid more for it.

It looks almost exactly like the one in the first picture I posted.

I still would love to get a Vaquero/Blackhawk in that same configuration just because I like Rugers.

[Mike Weber]

Bo:
your has the Lightning style grip frame while the one in the pic you posted has the Birdshead grip frame. BTW just got an email from Midway, That new batch of bullet molds has been shipped.

[bobotech]

Bo:
your has the Lightning style grip frame while the one in the pic you posted has the Birdshead grip frame. BTW just got an email from Midway, That new batch of bullet molds has been shipped.

LOL. Thats funny, I haven't got a clue about my own gun, I had to be told what my gun looks like by my buddy!

I need to take some pics.

[bobotech]

Got a new gun as well as the revolver, got a 1906 made Winchester 97 shotgun.

Pictures are below.

[StrawHat]

Nice looking revolver.

Watch your thumb with the 97, it can bite!

[Mike Weber]

Ya done good on that shotgun Bo!:up:

[bobotech]

Ya done good on that shotgun Bo!:up:

:)

I'm anxious to show it to you.

I'm also kind of considering getting it rehotblued since it looks like someone tried cold bluing it at one time and ruined the original patina/finish that used to be on it. If it was the original finish, I wouldn't be touching it.

The action on it feels 100 times better than the action on that problem 97 repro that I got.

[StrawHat]

bobotech,

Now you got me wondering how that grip frame would look on one of my 1860s!

I got more projects than I have time.

[Mike Weber]

Strawhat:
Have you considered going with one of those R&D gated conversion cylinders on that Pietta 1860 that you just got back? It would probably fit nicely with that Richards-Mason conversion.

[StrawHat]

Mike,

No, if I get a partner for my Richards, it will be another Richards.

The one I have is only partly authentic. It is chambered for the 44 Colt but they lined the barrel so I need to use .430 for reloading. Shucks, I don't have to deal with heel based boolits.

I have given thought to changing this one into a Dance Brothers replica.

Just not sure how safe I'd feel with the recoil shoulders removed and a loaded piece in a holster.

I am not fond of full flap holsters but that would be the only safe way to carry one.

The Dance is why I need the rammer assembly.

bobotech,

Not trying to steal the thread, just answering questions.

[bobotech]

It doesn't bother me, I find it interesting.