Cowboy shooting, who makes the best guns?

samdjr74 · November 14, 2015, 05:50 PM

Hi All,

I'm a big time revolver fan. Almost all of my hand guns are revolvers except for my 1911. With that being said I got my eye on two new guns for 2016, a 1851 Navy conversation and a New Army conversation. Now it seems that there are a few companies out there who make them like Uberti, Pietta and Taylor. My question is, which company makes the best and is there another company I should be looking at as well.

This won’t be my regular shooter, my Rugers take care of that, I just want something a little different to have fun with.

Thanks,
Sam

Jbar4Ranch · November 14, 2015, 05:53 PM

Taylor's is an importer, they don't make the guns. Uberti used to be considered better quality than Pietta, but Pietta's quality the last few years is far better than it used to be. Pietta tends to be a little less expensive than Uberti, but the quality is more or less comparable to Uberti's black powder revolvers.

samdjr74 · November 14, 2015, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the info

Crunchy Frog · November 14, 2015, 06:58 PM

Uberti makes the "conversion" revolvers: http://www.uberti.com/army-conversio...-top-revolvers.

To my knowledge Pietta does not make or import a similar product.

I have two friends who shoot "open tops" in competition. They are really nifty.

samdjr74 · November 14, 2015, 07:38 PM

Yep, looks like my choice has been narrowed down to one lol, Uberti it is

MarkCO · November 14, 2015, 07:39 PM

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/

That is all.

samdjr74 · November 14, 2015, 07:43 PM

Nice but BCA is a little outside of my price range

mikejonestkd · November 14, 2015, 08:04 PM

A ruger Old Army is as stout as a tank and will run just about forever.

Driftwood Johnson · November 15, 2015, 07:36 PM

The Ruger Old Army has been out of production for several years now.

samdjr74 · November 15, 2015, 07:45 PM

The Ruger old army's look great but they all seem to be black powder and as DJ said, out of production for some time now.

I love the look of the black powder models but I don't want to deal with the mess or hassle of black powder. Call me lazy but I like my metallic cartridges.

**44 AMP** · November 16, 2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

The Ruger old army's look great but they all seem to be black powder.,.

They all seem to be black powder because they were ALL made to be black powder guns!

Mechanically, the Old Army is essentially a Ruger Blackhawk, made as a cap & ball pistol. There are some styling differences, but that's essentially all.

A modern cap & ball revolver, with coil springs and adjustable sights, and offered in stainless steel for many years. It was the ultimate BP revolver for someone who wanted to shoot cap & ball.

I would recommend RUGERs to the OP, except he said he already has some.

I'm afraid I don't know the Italian SA copies well, the only sound advice I can offer is AVOID Armi San Marcos!

Had one, given to me, copy of the S&W Schoefield. Good looking gun, but a total POS otherwise. Fired two cylinders standard .45 COlt, misfires and unlatching on each cylinder. I gave it back!

Good luck with your search!

Driftwood Johnson · November 16, 2015, 04:43 PM

Howdy

The ASM Schofields were junk. The Uberti Schofields and Russians are much better.

Frankly, if I wanted a single action cowboy gun I would buy a Ruger Vaquero. I have a few of them, the design is tougher and they will shoot forever without any tuning at all. These three are the older, full sized model, chambered for 45 Colt. This version is no longer made, it has been replaced by the slightly smaller New Vaquero. I have a couple of those chambered for 357 Mag. They too are very tough guns and will shoot forever with no tuning at all.

This is an Uberti Cattleman. I used to have another, but it was a piece of junk and I got rid or it. This one is better, but it is not perfect. These guns will benefit from some tuning.

This is my old brass framed 44 caliber 'Navy' that I bought when I was a kid in 1968. Stay away from brass framed Cap & Ball revolvers, what you have read is true. This one had its frame stretched by too many 30 grain loads. It is just a wall hanger now.

Used to be that Ubertis were better fit and finished than Piettas. I have read that has changed, but I have not personally shot any. I bought a pair of these 1860 Armies a few years ago when they were on sale at Cabellas. I was not pleased with some of the finish details, should have paid a few more dollars for Ubertis.

The stainless 1858 Remington Army at the top of this photo is an Uberti. The blued one at the bottom is an old EuroArms Remmie I bought in 1968. Both have been fitted with R&D conversion cylinders to shoot 45 Colt. The Uberti is nice, but it weighs about four ounces more than the old EuroArms Remmie. The EuroArms Remmie is closer in actual size to the originals.

samdjr74 · November 16, 2015, 05:04 PM

Very nice guns you got there Driftwood.

I love my Rugers, just wanted something old fashion looking I guess you might say. My first gun was (is as I still have it) a Ruger SA 22. And the last gun I bought is a Super Blackhawk Hunter which is just incredible.

But I like the look of the old army and navy guns

Jim Watson · November 16, 2015, 05:05 PM

I have a Colt and a Cimarron/San Marco SAA. They are ideal for my approach to CAS.

I would recommend a Ruger New Vaquero or Uberti or Pietta SAA copy from whichever importer had the exact style you like.

Cartridge conversions are more trouble to manage, I don't think the Italians have quite figured them out yet.

samdjr74 · November 16, 2015, 05:17 PM

"I have a Colt and a Cimarron/San Marco SAA. They are ideal for my approach to CAS.

I would recommend a Ruger New Vaquero or Uberti or Pietta SAA copy from whichever importer had the exact style you like.

Cartridge conversions are more trouble to manage, I don't think the Italians have quite figured them out yet. "

I'm trying to find a local shop who might have a Uberti in stock. It doesn't have to be the model I want, I just want to get a feel for it.

45 Dragoon · November 16, 2015, 06:28 PM

Jim, what do you mean about the conversions being trouble to deal with?

I worked on a customers RM '60 not too long ago and it is quite the shooter!! I wouldn't mind scooping up one myself.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram

BTW, my Dragoons (with gated conversions) run better than most SAs. I know they wouldn't be as fast as far as handling but they maintain a high state of tune and are always a treat to shoot!

Jim Watson · November 16, 2015, 09:02 PM

The conversions I saw were pretty sad. But I have been out of CAS for a while. Maybe the conversions are better now.
Or maybe they are better after you have fixed them.

Magnum Wheel Man · November 17, 2015, 02:41 PM

My Pieta custom conversions... in 38 Long Colt... fit & finish on the revolvers was 1st rate before I did my custom work...

BTW... I use Rugers as my main match CAS guns, & save my Navies for special times... while good quality, I'm not kidding myself that they could handle the same round counts as a factory Ruger

45 Dragoon · November 17, 2015, 08:33 PM

Magnum,
If set up right , they'll take it.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com
Follow me on Instagram

mk70ss · November 17, 2015, 08:41 PM

Rugers and Ubertis are both perfect guns.

Jim Watson · November 18, 2015, 10:54 AM

Anybody ever make a .45 ACP conversion?
Probably not, it might not hold up long with hardball, but it would be handy for me to load midrange for.

Magnum Wheel Man · November 18, 2015, 11:06 AM

I've got a 45 ACP Blackhawk conversion, but on the Navies anyway, there is not enough room on the cylinder, & possibly even the barrel would be too tight...

I am planning on building another set, on the 51 Navies, thinking about doing them in 44 American Bulldog, to match an antique pocket double I have ( my antique gun uses shortened 44 Special cases, with the rims thinned ) & my builder buddy thought we may need to go to a 5 shot cylinder on the 51 Navy...

or...

to keep it CAS legal for 5 rounds, we are looking at doing a 22 ish "safety" chamber for the 6th chamber & only dropping the hammer on that chamber leaving 5 safe rounds in the gun... of course the gun would not index on that "dummy" chamber, & would have to be placed there manually... we're actually still looking at the possibilities...

I'm sure you could possibly do 45 ACP on a Remington... I just love the balance & looks of the open top Colts...

Driftwood Johnson · November 19, 2015, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Anybody ever make a .45 ACP conversion?
Probably not, it might not hold up long with hardball, but it would be handy for me to load midrange for.

Yes

http://www.howelloldwestconversions....DE3112A8A012BA

November 14, 2015, 05:50 PM	#1
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	Cowboy shooting, who makes the best guns? Hi All, I'm a big time revolver fan. Almost all of my hand guns are revolvers except for my 1911. With that being said I got my eye on two new guns for 2016, a 1851 Navy conversation and a New Army conversation. Now it seems that there are a few companies out there who make them like Uberti, Pietta and Taylor. My question is, which company makes the best and is there another company I should be looking at as well. This won’t be my regular shooter, my Rugers take care of that, I just want something a little different to have fun with. Thanks, Sam

November 14, 2015, 05:53 PM	#2
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	Taylor's is an importer, they don't make the guns. Uberti used to be considered better quality than Pietta, but Pietta's quality the last few years is far better than it used to be. Pietta tends to be a little less expensive than Uberti, but the quality is more or less comparable to Uberti's black powder revolvers. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

November 14, 2015, 07:39 PM	#6
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/ That is all. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

November 14, 2015, 08:04 PM	#8
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	A ruger Old Army is as stout as a tank and will run just about forever. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

November 16, 2015, 06:28 PM	#16
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 656	Jim, what do you mean about the conversions being trouble to deal with? I worked on a customers RM '60 not too long ago and it is quite the shooter!! I wouldn't mind scooping up one myself. Mike www.goonsgunworks.com Follow me on Instagram BTW, my Dragoons (with gated conversions) run better than most SAs. I know they wouldn't be as fast as far as handling but they maintain a high state of tune and are always a treat to shoot! Last edited by 45 Dragoon; November 16, 2015 at 06:34 PM.

November 14, 2015, 06:01 PM	#3
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	Thanks for the info

November 14, 2015, 06:58 PM	#4
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	Uberti makes the "conversion" revolvers: http://www.uberti.com/army-conversio...-top-revolvers. To my knowledge Pietta does not make or import a similar product. I have two friends who shoot "open tops" in competition. They are really nifty.

November 14, 2015, 07:38 PM	#5
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	Yep, looks like my choice has been narrowed down to one lol, Uberti it is

November 14, 2015, 07:43 PM	#7
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	Nice but BCA is a little outside of my price range

November 15, 2015, 07:36 PM	#9
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	The Ruger Old Army has been out of production for several years now.

November 15, 2015, 07:45 PM	#10
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	The Ruger old army's look great but they all seem to be black powder and as DJ said, out of production for some time now. I love the look of the black powder models but I don't want to deal with the mess or hassle of black powder. Call me lazy but I like my metallic cartridges.

November 16, 2015, 04:43 PM	#12
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy The ASM Schofields were junk. The Uberti Schofields and Russians are much better. Frankly, if I wanted a single action cowboy gun I would buy a Ruger Vaquero. I have a few of them, the design is tougher and they will shoot forever without any tuning at all. These three are the older, full sized model, chambered for 45 Colt. This version is no longer made, it has been replaced by the slightly smaller New Vaquero. I have a couple of those chambered for 357 Mag. They too are very tough guns and will shoot forever with no tuning at all. This is an Uberti Cattleman. I used to have another, but it was a piece of junk and I got rid or it. This one is better, but it is not perfect. These guns will benefit from some tuning. This is my old brass framed 44 caliber 'Navy' that I bought when I was a kid in 1968. Stay away from brass framed Cap & Ball revolvers, what you have read is true. This one had its frame stretched by too many 30 grain loads. It is just a wall hanger now. Used to be that Ubertis were better fit and finished than Piettas. I have read that has changed, but I have not personally shot any. I bought a pair of these 1860 Armies a few years ago when they were on sale at Cabellas. I was not pleased with some of the finish details, should have paid a few more dollars for Ubertis. The stainless 1858 Remington Army at the top of this photo is an Uberti. The blued one at the bottom is an old EuroArms Remmie I bought in 1968. Both have been fitted with R&D conversion cylinders to shoot 45 Colt. The Uberti is nice, but it weighs about four ounces more than the old EuroArms Remmie. The EuroArms Remmie is closer in actual size to the originals.

November 16, 2015, 05:04 PM	#13
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	Very nice guns you got there Driftwood. I love my Rugers, just wanted something old fashion looking I guess you might say. My first gun was (is as I still have it) a Ruger SA 22. And the last gun I bought is a Super Blackhawk Hunter which is just incredible. But I like the look of the old army and navy guns

November 16, 2015, 05:05 PM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	I have a Colt and a Cimarron/San Marco SAA. They are ideal for my approach to CAS. I would recommend a Ruger New Vaquero or Uberti or Pietta SAA copy from whichever importer had the exact style you like. Cartridge conversions are more trouble to manage, I don't think the Italians have quite figured them out yet.

November 16, 2015, 05:17 PM	#15
samdjr74 Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2015 Location: Jersey! Posts: 10	"I have a Colt and a Cimarron/San Marco SAA. They are ideal for my approach to CAS. I would recommend a Ruger New Vaquero or Uberti or Pietta SAA copy from whichever importer had the exact style you like. Cartridge conversions are more trouble to manage, I don't think the Italians have quite figured them out yet. " I'm trying to find a local shop who might have a Uberti in stock. It doesn't have to be the model I want, I just want to get a feel for it.

November 16, 2015, 09:02 PM	#17
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The conversions I saw were pretty sad. But I have been out of CAS for a while. Maybe the conversions are better now. Or maybe they are better after you have fixed them.

November 17, 2015, 02:41 PM	#18
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	My Pieta custom conversions... in 38 Long Colt... fit & finish on the revolvers was 1st rate before I did my custom work... BTW... I use Rugers as my main match CAS guns, & save my Navies for special times... while good quality, I'm not kidding myself that they could handle the same round counts as a factory Ruger __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

November 17, 2015, 08:33 PM	#19
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 656	Magnum, If set up right , they'll take it. Mike www.goonsgunworks.com Follow me on Instagram

November 17, 2015, 08:41 PM	#20
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Rugers and Ubertis are both perfect guns.

November 18, 2015, 10:54 AM	#21
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Anybody ever make a .45 ACP conversion? Probably not, it might not hold up long with hardball, but it would be handy for me to load midrange for.

November 18, 2015, 11:06 AM	#22
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I've got a 45 ACP Blackhawk conversion, but on the Navies anyway, there is not enough room on the cylinder, & possibly even the barrel would be too tight... I am planning on building another set, on the 51 Navies, thinking about doing them in 44 American Bulldog, to match an antique pocket double I have ( my antique gun uses shortened 44 Special cases, with the rims thinned ) & my builder buddy thought we may need to go to a 5 shot cylinder on the 51 Navy... or... to keep it CAS legal for 5 rounds, we are looking at doing a 22 ish "safety" chamber for the 6th chamber & only dropping the hammer on that chamber leaving 5 safe rounds in the gun... of course the gun would not index on that "dummy" chamber, & would have to be placed there manually... we're actually still looking at the possibilities... I'm sure you could possibly do 45 ACP on a Remington... I just love the balance & looks of the open top Colts... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust... Last edited by Magnum Wheel Man; November 19, 2015 at 07:24 AM.