My previous post has the article of Beretta & Uberti, I got it here:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_148_24/ai_64565417Also this from Gun Week:
Fit, Finish of Beretta Stampede Makes It Ideal Cowboy Gun
Photos & Story
by R.K. Campbell
Contributing Editor
When Beretta introduced the Stampede revolver, it was not their first revolver, but the only one likely to see use in America. Beretta flirted with a double-action revolver design much earlier, but I have never personally handled an example. The Stampede is another example of the Single Action Army (SAA) clone gun, designed to mimic the handling and feel of the Colt SAA.
Beretta made no bones about the ultimate sales target in their introduction of the Stampede. It is designed to offer an affordable version of the Colt SAA revolver, what we often call the Cowboy gun, to the many adherents of Cowboy Action shooting. They have succeeded admirably and with more than a little style. The Stampede is quite a revolver, certain to provide surprise to our friends who do not read Gun Week and keep up with current events.
The first time I beheld this beautifully finished revolver, with its charcoal blue finish, case-hardened receiver, and the unmistakable Beretta emblem on hard rubber grips on a single-action revolver, I was impressed. This was more of a shock to the learned eye than when I first beheld Smith & Wesson's variation on the 1911. After all, 1911 clones are numerous. So are SAA clones, but few indeed are of the high quality or fit and finish offered in the Stampede revolver.
As many of you know, Beretta acquired Uberti and a significant tightening of quality and the introduction of new models has followed. As for quality, I have examined Uberti revolvers as much as a decade ago that were of excellent quality in all particulars. On the other hand, I have seen brass frame guns even in Magnum calibers that were anything but first class revolvers.
I think the situation existed in that some importers wished to be able to sell single-action revolvers on the cheap while others wished to offer a well-finished, quality product. Uberti simply obliged either. That is only my opinion, but the revolvers were available in many finishes, and in numerous price ranges as well. EMF has long offered quality revolvers with good fit and finish, and we will cover several of those at a later date.
With Uberti under the Beretta umbrella, it was a simple matter for Beretta to introduce a single-action revolver. The Stampede differs from many single-action revolvers in that it features a transfer bar ignition similar to that found on the Ruger single-action revolver. There are variations found in the Uberti line that include a type with a simple hammer safety that blocks the hammer from falling when the gun is on half cock and others that require the gun to be carried with only five rounds in the cylinder for safety.
The Beretta system is the safest of the lot and the only version that I can recommend carrying fully loaded with six rounds. This alone makes for a good marketing and practical point in favor of the Beretta. I adhere to the old rule, five rounds in the cylinder, with all of my Colt-type revolvers, but the Ruger system is certainly easier on the shooter and more popular with corporate lawyers-and safety experts.
The Stampede is loaded in the following manner: the hammer is eased back to the half cock notch. Next, the loading gate is swung open. The cylinder is indexed to allow that a cartridge be loaded one at a time into each cylinder. When the cylinder is loaded with six rounds, the loading gate is closed and the hammer eased to the fully lowered position.
5-Round Carry
For those with other types of revolvers or who wish to carry five rounds in all their single-action revolvers, the following regimen is adhered to. The gun is placed at ready in the previously described fashion, but the loading sequence is as follows: load one, skip one, load four, cock the hammer and lower the hammer. The hammer will now be resting on an empty chamber. This is the manner in which I carry all of my single-action revolvers.
The Stampede is available in several popular calibers and barrel lengths. Soon, a bird's head version with a small grip suited for shooters with small hands will also be available. A 3-inch "Sheriff's Model" is in the works. For the purposes of my review, I used a .44-40-caliber Stampede with 4-3/4 inch barrel.
LazyK Pejay