Push the button Wyatt Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Howdy pards,help me out here if you can. Ruger's seem to be the gun of choice for most, but not all, for our shoots.My first question is this, If Colts were the same price as Rugers, would you shoot Colts?For those that do shoot a new Colt, are they good to go, right out of the box?I under stand that Rugers are.Does Colt make a gun in 38 spl.? Are 3rd Gen. guns as good as 2nd. Gen.?Well, enough question's for now, Thanks in advance for your help. PTB Wyatt
Dirty Chris Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 If Colts were the same price as Rugers, I'd have a pair of both
Bart Solo Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I would probably still shoot Ruger. The Ruger is a more modern design. Less likely to break. Of course, I might have a Colt in my safe some place.
Hoosier Bandit Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I would have and shoot both too. Cant afford Colts yet. Love my Rugers btw.
Lefty Dude, SASS # 51223 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 There is only one Colt. All other SAA's are Clones. Colt's are not Fragile for our Sport, many of use shoot the real Cowboy Gun. You will hear from the Colt users I'am sure. I be one.
Push the button Wyatt Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 There is only one Colt. All other SAA's are Clones. Colt's are not Fragile for our Sport, many of use shoot the real Cowboy Gun. You will hear from the Colt users I'am sure. I be one. Thanks Lefty, so far not a lot of info coming in. I did have a couple of questions still unansered ,but i'm still here.
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Hard to say for me about the purchasing aspect. I did buy the Rugers because they were cheaper but I had not handled the Colts to determine ifn they felt as good or better.....especially if prices had been the same. The OMV I have feel good in my hands and that is a big part of my buying decisions. ..........Widder
Cofachique Dick Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I have a pair of Colts for my main guns, and a pair of Rugers for backup. The Colts were fine right out of the box, but I did change out the springs. Changed the springs in the Rugers, too. Makes any of them a little nicer to shoot. C D
Captain Bill Burt Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I'm a newbie, so take my opinion for what it's worth. I never cared much what name is on something, only what value I get for my dollar. From my perspective the clear winner there is Ruger. Inexpensive and lasts forever.
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Any gun that is going to be used in competition needs to be tuned out of the box. Most will shoot OK out of the box, but if they are going to be used in heavy competition they need to be tuned. I own and shoot both. If you average breakage, they almost come out the same. What is most likely to break on a Colt is the trigger/bolt spring and the hand spring. On a Ruger the transfer bar and hammer plunger will occasionally break. When you average everything out, they will both shoot a long time if tuned and cared for properly. Lots of people shoot and win with Rugers and Colts/Colt clones.
Pit Bull Tex Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I would shoot the colts if they were the P frame. The rugers are to big for my hands.I shoot Ps now and love them.
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Any gun that is going to be used in competition needs to be tuned out of the box. Most will shoot OK out of the box, but if they are going to be used in heavy competition they need to be tuned. I own and shoot both. If you average breakage, they almost come out the same. What is most likely to break on a Colt is the trigger/bolt spring and the hand spring. On a Ruger the transfer bar and hammer plunger will occasionally break. When you average everything out, they will both shoot a long time if tuned and cared for properly. Lots of people shoot and win with Rugers and Colts/Colt clones. And most of the Italian single action SAA reproductions now have coil springs for the hand, which eliminates that problem. Not sure about Pietta, but I wouldn't trust an Uberti trigger/bolt spring as far as I could throw it. The American made replacement springs are very reliable, though.
Nate Kiowa Jones #6765 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 And most of the Italian single action SAA reproductions now have coil springs for the hand, which eliminates that problem. Not sure about Pietta, but I wouldn't trust an Uberti trigger/bolt spring as far as I could throw it. The American made replacement springs are very reliable, though. I prefer the Pietta T/B spring over the Uberti. It doessn't have the split like the Uberti. More like 2nd gen and later colts. Plus, they have the coil type hand spring and even a firing pin hole bushing/recoil plate.
DocDisaster # 45431 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 If Colt made one with a man size grip I would consider shooting one. Doc
Pit Bull Tex Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Hay Doc. Is that a slam on me and my lttle hands.
CC Jack Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I have one colt, the rest are Rugers. I use the Colt as my back up or for single revolver stages (if anyone ever decides to write one). I'm so used to shooting the Ruger NV's that the Colt feels strange in my hand at times. I guess if they were the same price, I'd own a brace of SAA's.
outlawjohn67 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 If they were the same price, heck ya id shoot the original.... shame that they aint tho. Also to me, a single action dont look right if it aint case hard finish, and rugers arent any more.... My rugers are GREAT outa the box, never shot a new colt, sry
Cypress Sam, SASS #10915 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Doc Disaster, I've seen a Colt recently that did have a "man sized grip". It was a third gen Colt from the Custom shop fitted at the Custom Shop with a frame the same size as the 1860 Army grip frame. It looked a lot like the Alchemistas now being marketed by Pieta, but it was a genuine Colt.
Virgil Ray Hality, SASS# 37355 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Caveat: I shoot 44-40 black powder cartridges. Well, I had Ruger Old Model Vaquero revolvers and the grips did not fit my hands well and the older ROMV did not have the right cylinder and barrel dimension to work well with 44-40, so I sold them back in 2002. I bought Unerti Cattlemen revolvers and was shooting a pair these from 2002 up until 2007 or 20088 when I bought a pair of Colt SAA. I have been shooting the Uberti and Colts on and off for the last few years. In my personal opinion, and based on my experience, the Colts are far superior to the Uberti revolvers for several reasons. The biggest reason is that the Colts fit my hand better, are more durable for certain and handle black powder better. The Colts are 3rd Gen with removable base pin bushings. Of the two Colts I have, one has to have the base pin bushing length shaved a few 0.00x to get a smooth cylinder spin. the Uberti revolvers had to be tuned quite a bit more. BTW, if you have older cattlemen revolvers, it pays to find a gunsmith who can install Colt hammer cams in the Uberti. It makes a huge difference in longivity of cylinder timing.
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I wanted a pair of Colt's because they are what I all the Cowboys I grew up watching shot.I started with Rugers and had to send them back to be repaired (fixed right the first time back and still working). I ordered a pair of 7 1/2" 45's from the Custom Shop, waited 4 months for them. Then had to send them back twice,(now they are great). I Still shoot Rugers because they fit my hand better, but for the price of Rugers I might buy another pair of Colt's. I've also had to send another pair of Rugers back (fixed right the first time) so I guess everyone lets some get out that aren't right, as long as they make them right I can't complain too much. Randy
Blue Steel Duke Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 If Colts were the same price as Rugers, would you shoot Colts? No, for a couple of reasons. I'm a multi-tasker when it comes to my cowboy guns, I also use them to hunt with and occasionally carry them as a CCW, so the Ruger is the best choice for me. My Old Model Vaquero can handle the hottest hunting and/or defense round, and the transfer bar allows me to safely carry that 6th round. The Colt is a fine weapon, but falls short in my needs. BSD
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 To make the leap and claim all Colts/clones need action work while Rugers are ready to go 'out of box' is a huge personal bias to interject. My first two Cim Model Ps were smoother from the box than my previous three pairs of OMRVs BUT all still visited a gunsmith for action work. If everyone considered Rugers as good to go from the box, there would not be such a huge business tuning them. I left the Rugers behind but must admit that the primary reason was the feel of the grip, it was just to big. I suspect that if I ever buy new SAA style pistols again the first ones will be New Model Vaqueros, since these feel so much better than the old ones.
Jefro, SASS#69420 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Howdy Wyatt, I'm one of those that just never cared for Rugers. I know they are great guns and built like a tank, but they just never felt right or fit my hand. I own and shoot both Uberti and Great Western II, both work great with a good action job. For me it would come down to if I could afford it, which one would it be, Colt or USFA?? Having owned a pair of satin nickle Rodeo II I might choose the USFA, fit, finish, and function is as nice as any Colt I've had the pleasure to handle. Good Luck Jefro
Church Key, SASS # 33713 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I prefer Ruger's because of their design for loading; just open the gate and spin the cylinder. I don't care to cock a hammer to load. That said, Colt's seem to be just as durable, as I've broken a couple of Ruger's. Peened the firing pin channel and lost a cylinder pin screw. All mechanical things have the occasional issue. I solved the Colt grip size issue by getting 50th Anniversity Blackhawks which are about the same size as Colts. Recently got a NMV but have not tried it yet. My only nit with Ruger's is that they are slightly heaver than Colt's of the same size barrel.
Bitterroot Jake, SASS #9532 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I tried OMV once and they just did not fit my hand right, way to heavy and even after being turned (by a professional) were still inferior in feel, handling and accuarcy to my Colts. To be fair the OMV were among the frist out in 44-40 and they did have some cylinder/barrle issues relateing to chamber and bore size not being correcto for 44-40. The OMV were purchased for my son, I carried them as backup for my Colts and never shoot them in a match. Again, I had no reason to, I have been shooting the same pair of Colt 44-40's since 1992, actions are smooth as glass and the triggers are great (did all the action work myself) and Have Never had anything break yet. I do give them a rest every now and then and use a pair of Colts in 45 Colt. Not bad mouthing Ruger, they are excellent gun, tough as nails and very accurate for the most part. I have had several Ruger Blackhawks I hunted with, my wife had a pair of Ruger OMV she shoot with, she liked them better than Colts. Her's were in 45 Colt and far more accurate than the 44-40 OMV I had. So to answer the question, if they were the same price I would buy Colts. which is more reliable, less prone to breakage, I can not say cause I have not shoot a Ruger enough to make an evaluation. Are the new colts as good as Second Generation Colts, I have owed both and can tell very little difference. Every gun feels a little different, but my third Gen. Colts are just as good as any Second Gen. Colt I have owned or handled (I Know I'll get flamed by die hard Colt fans for that statement).
Push the button Wyatt Posted February 2, 2011 Author Posted February 2, 2011 Thanks to all. Good info here.I shoot Great Western 11's Never had Rugers. I like to mix things up a bit. Some times i shoot Rem, outlaws( which i've had Some problems with )And i also have a pr. of Cim., Bisleys which i love to shoot.I shoot Duelist. After seeing Tom Sellick in Sabre River, i got a 71/72 open top, Just one, which i had to wait 14 months for because i ordered it in nickel.Nice gun, for sure.Me, i'm never at the top of the pack, i just shoot because i enjoy it.And the great folks i've met out there.Now i'd like to get a Colt, maybe pair it up with my open top.
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 If Colt made one with a man size grip I would consider shooting one. Doc +1. I like OMV's (plow handle or Bisley) best
ShadowCatcher Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Howdy pards,help me out here if you can. Ruger's seem to be the gun of choice for most, but not all, for our shoots.My first question is this, If Colts were the same price as Rugers, would you shoot Colts?For those that do shoot a new Colt, are they good to go, right out of the box?I under stand that Rugers are.Does Colt make a gun in 38 spl.? Are 3rd Gen. guns as good as 2nd. Gen.?Well, enough question's for now, Thanks in advance for your help. PTB Wyatt Hey Pard - here's another $0.02 worth - I've had Ruger revolvers since 1977, and they are hell for stout - if you want to load above your caliber they'll do it. I used to load a .45 Colt at .44 mag levels until I sprung the frame, then decided a Super Blackhawk made more sense for what I was doing. The Ruger Vaqueros are a little bigger than a Colt or the Ruger New Vaqueros, so the balance and feel is different - you need to decide on that. The New Vaqueros are not made substantially stronger than the Colt, but the internal lockwork is much more modern in design and thus less likely to fail in the way a Colt might, they have their own failure modes. I've shot both Colts and Rugers for 30 plus years, and converting between the Ruger loading drill and the Colt drill isn't a real issue, if you have enough practice . .I shoot both at one time in the game and find I know which gun I have in my hand each time, so knowing how to reload it doesn't cause a slow down. Reloads on the clock are so rare that they are almost a non-issue anyway. The Ruger will allow carry with six if that matters though. Almost any new gun will benefit from a make over by a competent smith; not that they aren't duty ready, just that they're not at their optimal state of tune. A good smith can eliminate the things that wear a gun too soon, and make them a joy to use. A factory stock Ruger or a Colt can run out of the box, either can be made significantly better by a good smith. A Colt has a certain charm that only the original can have, and there is a touch of romance about it - that means a lot to some of us, a lot. A ruger has a certain aspect too - hell for stout and it will take you to hell and back, also a desirable trait in a gun. I own both, and am glad to do so, and I want more Colts, but there are a few more Rugers I want too. To me the test of a six gun is how does it feel in my hand, and how does it shoot at the range . . .if it gets through these two gates its mine, otherwise it's trade fodder. But in my heart of hearts . . . I prefer Colt. Shadow Catcher
Push the button Wyatt Posted February 4, 2011 Author Posted February 4, 2011 One more question on Colts.I called the factory today and i was on hold so long that i thought i'd fall asleep, so i hung up.So here's the question's. Can i get a gun by calling the factory and have them ship to a dealer,or do i call the dealer first, and have them call the factory.Of course i would think that either way, it'l take months before i get my order.Any one out there know for sure.Thanks in advance.
Tom Bullweed Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 The way the prices of Rugers keep increasing, this great question may become reality. I shoot Rugers OMV's for now but have shot 1-st gen Colts and Uberti's. I never had a problem that I should not have caught (loose screw, tired spring, grip damage). All of these are simple things that need to be done to any gun that is worked as hard as cowboy guns are. My favorite source for Colts and Winchesters is Cherrys (www.cherrys.com).
Texas Lizard Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 The OMV I have feel good in my hands and that is a big part of my buying decisions. ..........Widder The same feeling here...The Ruger OMV just fits the hand better...Not because I have big hands, it just feels better... Texas Lizard
Chuck Would, SASS # 53289 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I shoot a pair of 3rd Gen Colts. They feel better in my hand than the old Vaquero's did. The new Vaqueros feel just about as good, to me, as the Colts do. Any pistol you choose can and will benefit from some action work. How much depends on you and how much you want to spend. You will find new Colts in .357/.38 just like Ruger. You can find 1st and 2nd Gen Colts in .38. I think the 3rd Gen Colts are every bit as good as the 2nd gen Colts. I own 13 3rd Gen Colts. I live in MA and as a result all my Colts are pre-owned. As far as I know you can call Colt and order what you want but I think you'll need to have a Dealer FFL in hand for them to be shipped to. Or if you have a favorite dealer you can have them order for you. Hope that helps,
Push the button Wyatt Posted February 4, 2011 Author Posted February 4, 2011 chuck would, thanks for all of that. I'd love to get my hands on a 3rd. gen. but i don't think i could shell out the dough they want for those babies.Didn't know they made them in 38 spl.Thanks again, Wyatt.
Charlie Whiskers Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Caveat: I shoot 44-40 black powder cartridges. Well, I had Ruger Old Model Vaquero revolvers and the grips did not fit my hands well and the older ROMV did not have the right cylinder and barrel dimension to work well with 44-40, so I sold them back in 2002. I bought Unerti Cattlemen revolvers and was shooting a pair these from 2002 up until 2007 or 20088 when I bought a pair of Colt SAA. I have been shooting the Uberti and Colts on and off for the last few years. In my personal opinion, and based on my experience, the Colts are far superior to the Uberti revolvers for several reasons. The biggest reason is that the Colts fit my hand better, are more durable for certain and handle black powder better. The Colts are 3rd Gen with removable base pin bushings. Of the two Colts I have, one has to have the base pin bushing length shaved a few 0.00x to get a smooth cylinder spin. the Uberti revolvers had to be tuned quite a bit more. BTW, if you have older cattlemen revolvers, it pays to find a gunsmith who can install Colt hammer cams in the Uberti. It makes a huge difference in longivity of cylinder timing. Wow.....strange you had that problem.I had 2 OMV's in 44-40 and shot them for a couple of season's before I decided to go to 38/357 for the reason of ammo cost.They worked very well in 44-40.
Charlie Whiskers Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 One more question on Colts.I called the factory today and i was on hold so long that i thought i'd fall asleep, so i hung up.So here's the question's. Can i get a gun by calling the factory and have them ship to a dealer,or do i call the dealer first, and have them call the factory.Of course i would think that either way, it'l take months before i get my order.Any one out there know for sure.Thanks in advance. Several years back I called Colt to see if I could order a firearm dealer direct.Back then they wanted a minimum purchase of several thousand dollars to do factory direct.Parts are a different story,but firearms weren't then.Haven't tried them since.I'm a small dealer and just couldn't afford to lay out that much.
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