Which revolver for cowboy action shooting?

[drjoker]

Which single action revolver should I buy for cowboy action shooting? I'm thinking Ruger Vaquero Bisley in 357 Magnum with a 5.5 inch barrel. However, the price is a bit steep. You can buy 7 Nagant revolvers for the price of one Vaquero. What about using a Russian Nagant revolver for cowboy action shooting? It was first manufactured in 1895. It is single action. However, the ammo is more expensive and FMJ only at $0.42 per bullet. 38 special ammo for the Ruger is only $0.32 per bullet. You save $0.10 per bullet by going with the Ruger Vaquero. So, if you shoot more than 6000 rounds, then the Ruger Vaquero is cheaper. Otherwise, the Nagant is cheaper. What do you think? Which one should I get? (No, I'm NOT going to hand load. Wastes too much valuable time.) What are your personal experiences with revolvers for cowboy action shooting? Do you favor Colt? Cimarron? Ruger? Any others? Which one should I get?

Thanks,


I just need something easy to clean, maintain, durable, and reasonably priced. Thanks....

[JCole]

Most Nagant revolvers produced after WWI are double action. It is possible to buy a replacement cylinder in .32 ACP. I have no experience with CAS. I do have an old model Vaquero in .45 Colt that is reliable and robust.

[PBratton]

You should probably go visit a SAS site and read about others and their choice.

When I was shooting SASS matches I shot a pair of Taurus 45 Colts, most others shot Rugers. You'll also need a rifle and a shotgun from the period. Most folks shot a rifle that matched their pistol in caliber

Shooting a SASS match is the most fun you'll have with your spurs on, hope you have fun.

[rm9792]

What about the Uberti, Cimarron line? Inexpensive and mine have held up just fine. They all look pretty much the same in hand and shootin'. You do need to look up the rules though, I thought you had to have something styled prior to the 1870's or so and I dont know if transfer bars are allowed.

[denwego]

Cimarron gets my as well. Mine are .45LC, but most people go with .38/.357 for the cost savings. Money spent on Long Colt adds up quickly if you shoot a lot. Uberti-made guns are also more affordable than Rugers (usually) and have beautiful case-hardened frames available that modern Rugers don't... I'd kill for a case-hardened 1911, myself.

Rugers and other SAA-style guns which utilize transfer bars are quickly becoming the new standard, from what I've seen, but you're restricted to five-loaded-one-empty even though you can safely load it full.

[biotech]

We used Vaquaros in both 45 colt and 357mag when we were shooting Sass. If you think the price is a bit steep on the Vaquaro you might want to look at Blackhawks. They qualify in the modern class. Used ones can be had a low cost.

Most of the colt copies will hold up, but do tend have issues eventually.
I have not had any experience with the new Taurus or Berrettas.

If you are planning on shooting much cowboy action shooting, you will want to do your own reloading to bring the cost down. The manufactured low velocity and lead bullets rounds are too expensive.

[OldSchool]

We've also been considering finding an SA revolver, knowing that we'll rarely get to a CAS match (plus, we old cowhands would have some issues getting into some of those fancy outfits!).

Besides considering the cost, we were wondering about going with .357mag for less recoil compared to 45LC (yes, we now understand there were 45 "short" Colts early in the last century), plus it would match our current SA/DA revolver. However, we've read that standard-load 45LC has less recoil -- is this accurate?

[OldSchool]

Thanks, Dan, that's the kind of advice we needed!

(And, yeah, you described s exactly what we both used to wear -- on the ranch and in town!)