Main Match Revolver and why

[Dr. Bob]

I have a Beretta Stampede which is made by Uberti.  Looks and feels great.  5 1/2 bbl. balances real well for me.  45 LC like my 73 Winchester.  I have to keep it simple  so only 1 kind of ammo.   Don't want to confuse myself.

[Mustang Gregg]

RUGERS!   But I reckon you knew that if ye ever checked out the RATS forum.
I reckon second place would be the Schofeld designs.

MG & CJ

[Buffalow Red]

i been hunting & shooting the pettia 58 rem 44 in 12" barrel. c&b revolver for 15 years. its the only c&b i had ever  shot or held, it has served me well so natrally i wanted a nother one when i started in sass
go pettia

[boot strap jack]

uberti cattleman 4 3/4" pair. the fit is great in my hand. the technology is period correct. and I learned to shoot with a old ruger single six. And last is the price. the ruger is out of the late 50s or early 60s and has never been worked on, and still gets shot regularly. I do know that my ubertis wont make that for both have had to have springs replaced due to breakage.

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

I shoot Pietta and Uberti Remington Revolvers. I like the way they look, I like the fact that there are less screws than colt, and I like the one-piece frame. '58 and '75 model.

The only Colt I have is a '51 Navy Konverted to .38.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Colt.  It's what all the others want to be.  There's a reason for that.  I've got Pietta's, Ubertis, Armi San Marcos, Rugers, and have fondled all the others.  Nothing is quite like a Colt.

Why because it has a pony on the side and is a better investment?  Never mind that the third gen Colts are JUNK!

[panhead pete]

For my hands, the 1851 Richards Mason Conversions are perfect!!  I shoot double duelist and when one of my pards let me handle them, I decided for duelist, they were perfect.  The open tops are a pleasure at the loading table too when showing the hammer on an empty chamber!!

Panhead Pete

[Badlands Bob]

The springs need to be replaced in a Colt or clone about every 5,000 rounds.  A Ruger needs to be cleaned about every 5,000 rounds.  I love my Rugers.  I have 10.

[Ransom Gaer]

I shoot Uberti made 1860 Armies.  I like shooting c&b pistols and the 1860 Army model just feels right and I like the larger grips of the Army.  At the time I got mine I liked the quality of the Ubertis compared to the Piettas.  I have heard that has changed.

I have also found that when using a lubed wad as a normal part of my loading procedure the Colt designed 1860 Army just goes and goes.  All c&b pistols benefit from lots of lube.

Ransom Gaer

[Lucky Irish Tom]

If I have to have a gun I know will work it's my Ruger Bisley's they are my most often used main match pistols because I know they are going to work every time.  I shoot my Pietta 1858 Remington's with conversion cylinders when I want style points. I want to get a pair of Open Tops next, but I will always have the Ruger's with me in case the others fail.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Ruger Vaqueros
1. They are not very expensive - Not cheap but you get great value for the price.
2.  They last and last and last
3.  They shoot where you point them
4.  If you have a problem, Ruger will fix things very quickly
5.  Did I mention they last and last - seriously over built a bit heavy in the old model Vaqueros but...

[Griff]

Why because it has a pony on the side and is a better investment?  Never mind that the third gen Colts are JUNK!

Au contraire, my friend.  I believe you have just sampled far too small a field.  Yes, there was a period when Colt quality slipped, quite far in fact.  From the mid 80's to the mid 90's I wouldn't buy one.  But... that has been turned around for so long, it's laughable to still be beating that pony.  I can accept that some folks feel they're overpriced, but what isn't?  As I almost said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  Don't get me wrong, I think that the introduction of high quality copies (read USFA) has done much to bring Colt back up to the high expections of their buyers.  And I wouldn't rule out owning one, or maybe more... but... I admit, I'd rather be buying more Colts.

[N40W111]

Being new to CAS, I bought a Cimarron P Jr. 3 1/2" in .38 for my first cowboy shootin' iron.  I've got really small hands and those Rugers make me feel like I've got on Levi's that are too big!  So, for me, it was a matter of "feel".  I can actually hit things with this little bugger too.  Looking to buy another soon to complement the .357 fish rifle.

[JL McGillicuddy]

I have two different pairs of main match guns.  4 5/8 inch barreled stainless Ruger Vaqueros (original models) and 5.5 inch barreled blued Ruger Old Armys. 

I chose to go to the Rugers because they fit me and they are built like a tank. 

When I first got into cowboy action shooting, I was introduced to a family member of someone that I knew who was an experienced shooter.  He showed me around my first match and sort of played "tour guide" as well as introducing me around.  Everyone let me handle their guns to see what felt good to me and what fit me well.  When I was done trying every type of gun represented at the match, he looked at me and said "You should probably buy old model Rugers."  When I asked him why, he explained that they were the only guns I didn't regrip three or four times to find where my hand fit.  I just picked them up and was in the right place.  (Helps to know I am a bit on the large side.)

I found a pair for a good price on the used market that had been tuned up and have been shooting them ever since.  I put on Eagle's Gunfighter grips and now my petite girlfriend shoots my Vaqs with me. 

I got the Old Armys when I decided I wanted to play in the cap and ball game.  Ruger indestructible construction and just feel good to me. 

No, neither gun is an actual reproduction of any design made in the 19th century, but the value and durability of these guns is beyond question. You can shoot them right out of the box, and they work.

There's my two cents. 

Jack Lee

[Willie Dixon]

I'm first going for some Remmie's Old Army's b/c of price and I love that gun.
but I had to vote for USFA, because of the accuracy in detail of the arm, the finish, the quality, and the stamp that basically reads:
"This is a piece of American Iconic History, and as such is made in the Good ol'USA!"

after I get my Remmie and some community college classes finished in CAD and CNC I'm going to be looking forward to maybe scratch-building a 58 here... in the good ol' USofA!

[Fingers McGee]

Pair of 2nd Generation Colt 1861 Navies are my primary main match guns.  For back-up I have a pair of Uberti 1861 Navies; Pair of 2nd Generation Colt 1851 Navies; and a pair of Uberti Frontiersman 1851 Navies.

Why?  A few reasons.  1.  They're authentic to the period and persona I portray - Ex Civil War Confederate Cavalry Sgt that is Justice of the Peace in an East Texas town around 1880.     2.  The Colt Navies are the best looking and balanced pistols that were ever made.  Everything that came after is just a cheap imitation.    3.  They are accurate and natural point shooters.    4.  They're economical to shoot.  5.  They make smoke and fire when shot, and cause spotters to back away in fear - or maybe just to get away from the smoke.      6.  Besides, that Yankee Scout/gunslinger used Colt's Navy Pistol and got famous doing so - what was his name? Jimmie? Willie? or maybe it was Bill?? can't rightly remember. 

Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee

[Willie Dixon]

Pair of 2nd Generation Colt 1861 Navies are my primary main match guns.  For back-up I have a pair of Uberti 1861 Navies; Pair of 2nd Generation Colt 1851 Navies; and a pair of Uberti Frontiersman 1851 Navies.

Why?  A few reasons.  1.  They're authentic to the period and persona I portray - Ex Civil War Confederate Cavalry Sgt that is Justice of the Peace in an East Texas town around 1880.     2.  The Colt Navies are the best looking and balanced pistols that were ever made.  Everything that came after is just a cheap imitation.    3.  They are accurate and natural point shooters.    4.  They're economical to shoot.  5.  They make smoke and fire when shot, and cause spotters to back away in fear - or maybe just to get away from the smoke.      6.  Besides, that Yankee Scout/gunslinger used Colt's Navy Pistol and got famous doing so - what was his name? Jimmie? Willie? or maybe it was Bill?? can't rightly remember. 

Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee

LMAO that's awesome!  I'm the same way, except with the Remington's now... gotta go with the James' choice, that and I mean dude, they're just so sick... and capable of gunfighter, that ramrod actually stays in place.

[Curly Red Ryder]

In fact Ruger Vaquero, second hand purchase and later a Pietta 1873. Both in .44/40 with 5 1/2 barrels.
Due to difficulties for imports in France, I had to take what I found, the reason for the Pietta after the Vaquero.
Ruger works fine, Pietta works cool, so I'm happy with both.
For BP I use either a 1858 Remington or a Navy 1851 or a Spiller and burr all replicas by various italian manufacturers and all .36 cal. Lot of smoke but the TO doesen't appreciate to receive small parts of caps in his face!!!!
All leather hand made by myself.

[Willie Dixon]

your caps go flying?
have you heard about treso nipples and such?  just curious as to what's making them fly... since that's the route I'm going with too.

[Two-Step]

Rugers are probably my favorite modern production revolver. While I really like the cartridge converted Colt Navy revolvers, they are a bit on the pricey side, even when compared to many of the more "contemporary" models that are available on today's market.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Over time I have consistently opted for Uberti replicas, primarily because they seem to fit my hands better.  On Piettas the hammer spurs always seem to be just out of reach of my thumbs. You see, I have big hands but short fingers.

I always opt for "conversions" because that's what would have been (a) cheaper, and (b) more available during my chosen time period.  My main match pistols are (Uberti) Remington New Model Army revolvers with (R&D) 45 Colt conversion cylinders.  My back-ups are a brace of (Uberti) "1851 Navy" Richards-Mason conversions in 38 Special.  I have a brace of unaltered (Uberti) 1861 Colts just waiting on the sidelines.

[temmi]

RUGERS!  Price, quality, reliability, safety.  By far the most reliable, rugged pistol made reguardless of price bar none.

Me too

[Cherokee Reb]

Uberti Walker converted to .45 Colt. I ditched the loading lever and fabricated an ejector assembly. Stoked with 2FF loaded cartridges, it has lots of smoke and flame and...well...style.  The weak side gun is a Pietta 1860 Army converted to cartridge also. Guess I'm a sucked for oddballs.

Reb

[cpt dan blodgett]

Ruger vaquero 71/2 in original 44 mag.
Cheap and reliable.  When I bought it you only needed 1 6gun.  Since acquired a 2nd, mine are miss matched a blued and a stainless but when you are clocked with a calendar or hour glass the minor style point penalties dont change your overall position.

Long before I even thought of SASS i got a Cabelas 58 remmie by pietta.  Last year bought its twin for a good $50 more than the original cost back in the day.  Have not fired the second one yet.  Am thinking of going over to the dark side once in a while.

[ogreshooter]

I chose Ruger Old Model Vaqueros for many reasons.

1. I have pretty good size hands. The NEW model Vaqueros have slightly smaller grip and frame, and my hand would slide up and stop me from fully cocking my pistol. (meaty part of my hand got stuck between frame and hammer spur). Old Model Vaqueros have just enough handle for stopping that (or I have learned to shoot!)

2. They are ready to roll right out of the box. No special tune-ups are required to go out and start shooting. You can have tune-ups done to them, but it is not necassary.

3. I got a really good deal on them from a fellow club member.

Hope this all helps. Best scenario is to go out and get your mitts on as many SA revolvers as possible, shoot them if you can.