The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - The role of the .22 in practice and training.

Jim March · February 12, 2009, 11:47 PM

My main carry gun is a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 (yeah, daily CCW). I now have a Cimarron "Plinkerton" in .22LR that like the NewVaq, closely matches the feel of an 1873 Colt SAA.

While the Plinkerton isn't exactly "heirloom quality", for what it is it isn't half bad. It's pot metal with steel inserts in the barrel and cylinder, similar to a Heritage, but it's full SAA size and feel and is otherwise surprisingly well made.

It's close enough to the Ruger that they fit the same holsters, including a closely fitting kydex setup I made. So I can go out in the desert east of Tucson and do draw/fire practice. It groups around 3.5" or so at 25yds with the first ammo I tried (Federal bulk-pack cheapo stuff) which is good enough.

For less than $200, the Plinkerton is a surprisingly good deal in an SAA-class trainer. It is NOT a gun I'd trust my life to (!) but to bring my ammo costs down? It works fine.

http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron-Plinkerton.htm

February 12, 2009, 11:47 PM	#11
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	My main carry gun is a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 (yeah, daily CCW). I now have a Cimarron "Plinkerton" in .22LR that like the NewVaq, closely matches the feel of an 1873 Colt SAA. While the Plinkerton isn't exactly "heirloom quality", for what it is it isn't half bad. It's pot metal with steel inserts in the barrel and cylinder, similar to a Heritage, but it's full SAA size and feel and is otherwise surprisingly well made. It's close enough to the Ruger that they fit the same holsters, including a closely fitting kydex setup I made. So I can go out in the desert east of Tucson and do draw/fire practice. It groups around 3.5" or so at 25yds with the first ammo I tried (Federal bulk-pack cheapo stuff) which is good enough. For less than $200, the Plinkerton is a surprisingly good deal in an SAA-class trainer. It is NOT a gun I'd trust my life to (!) but to bring my ammo costs down? It works fine. http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron-Plinkerton.htm __________________ Jim March