I'm in the market (sort of) for a pair of 38 revolvers, to back up the 45 Schofields I've been using and to loan to those with smaller hands. An entry-level shooter pair that I won't need to worry much about.

While I'm monitoring classified ads and GunBroker listings, is there anything I should be looking for beyond used Ruger Blackhawks/ Vaqueros and the assorted Italian imports?

Like, did Smith & Wesson or Taurus or anybody else ever make a single action revolver competing with the Blackhawk that'd be CAS kosher and maybe could be found for less than a Blackhawk?

I'm not looking for anything with "collectible" pricing... More looking for the guns that may be priced lower because they're not the common ones everybody knows about.

Doing some research to answer my own questions:
Beretta Stampedes- bad reputation, not exactly cheap
Taurus Gauchos- decent reputation, good possible option
Taurus Deputies- new ones compare or are cheaper in price than used Blackhawks, relatively new gun, haven't seen anything beyond initial reviews yet

As far as I can tell S&W, for all their revolver iterations, never made a single action apart from the top breaks. Although I can find a few that were converted.

Any other lesser-known revolvers I should be keeping an eye out for?

Well yeah, you mentioned Taurus Deputies,
Taurus has upped its game in the last few years, I see these a good candidate on the value side.
A. because they are readily available in production.
  Taurus Deputy SA Handgun .357 Mag  4.75''Barrel $400.03
B. the quality is good and so is CS in Bainbridge Ga.

and/or Check out the EAA Bounty Hunter, by Weihrauch the German manufacturer

  Hey There Begle

Actually, your "qualifiers" eliminate the better candidates for your states purpose (smaller hands) and you should keep in mind, the Italians don't make "SAA."  "Single Action Army" are made only by Colt.  ALL the others are Replicants.

Quote from: Begle1 on June 15, 2025, 01:42:34 AMWhile I'm monitoring classified ads and GunBroker listings, is there anything I should be looking for beyond used Ruger Blackhawks/ Vaqueros and the assorted Italian imports?


You might take a look at the Pietta Great Westerns. I have a pair in 38//357 that have been flawless in their performance with no "slicking up" except for new grips. I have Vaqueros and Remington reproductions, but I shoot the Pietta's at matches
Lucky   

I'm linking to this thread on the Colt Forum specifically because it mentions several discontinued single actions you may find on the used market (and some of the issues that may pop up).

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/virginia-dragoon.391586/

One that hasn't been mentioned is the Heritage Big Bore.  Another discontinued one is the JP Sauer & Sohn (West Germany) Western Marshal.

I know where there's a classified listing (not mine) for a Cimarron black powder frame revolver in .45 Colt with 4 3/4" barrel for $420 shipped.  The ad's from earlier this spring but hasn't been taken down yet, and it's a forum where old-fashioned shooting irons get as much interest, so it may still be available.  The gun looks good from the few pictures in the ad.  PM me if you want a link to the ad.

Begle

Forgot to mention, "Entry Level" is a Miss-Nomer.  There are "less expensive" single actions out there, but one must remember you "get what you pay for."  Most lower price guns are based on the level of exterior finish.  The Lock Works are the same as the higher priced spread.  Many folks out there who run and win championships with Ruger would be really insulted at Ruger being called "entry level."

"Entry level" in this game does seem a misnomer... "Worthwhile to spend money on"-level is what I'm seeking.

A rephrase of my question: If all I want is a shooter, is there anything that really competes against a used $600 Blackhawk in terms of "money well spent"?

Quote from: Major 2 on June 15, 2025, 08:25:14 AMand/or Check out the EAA Bounty Hunter, by Weihrauch the German manufacturer

Thanks, those seem like a good option to consider!

Quote from: Hair Trigger Jim on June 15, 2025, 08:57:03 AMI'm linking to this thread on the Colt Forum specifically because it mentions several discontinued single actions you may find on the used market (and some of the issues that may pop up).

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/virginia-dragoon.391586/

One that hasn't been mentioned is the Heritage Big Bore.  Another discontinued one is the JP Sauer & Sohn (West Germany) Western Marshal.

Thank you! Perfect. So many guns and companies I've never heard of in that link.

But Hey!!  Iffin yer willing to take a gander at Italian Guns, there are several that deserve consideration.  Their Lightning and Model P Jr. are right nice.  Change a couple of springs and "Bobs Yer Uncle."

Quote from: Coffinmaker on June 15, 2025, 01:59:28 PMBut Hey!!  Iffin yer willing to take a gander at Italian Guns, there are several that deserve consideration.  Their Lightning and Model P Jr. are right nice.  Change a couple of springs and "Bobs Yer Uncle."

I have nothing against the Italian guns but I don't really know enough to distinguish between them.

Are there any that aren't worth buying?

Quote from: Begle1 on June 15, 2025, 02:08:45 PMAre there any that aren't worth buying?

Old Jagers from the early 70's, would be sketchy... soft metal innards, no real parts availability, unless you fit other brands parts.
 

  Oh Boy

Yes.  Absolutely.  You basically have two choices.  Pietta and Uberti.  Understand, the Beretta SA replicas were made by Uberti at a time when Uberti was quite resentful of Beretta and QC was sketchy, and parts are limited.  If you talking about looking for guns on the used market, your first question has to be "Why are they selling it" and the second question is "what is wrong with it" and the third question is "are parts available" and the last question is "will it cost more than it's worth to fix."

If it's more than 10 or 12 years old, walk away.  When Uberti makes changes, they immediately stop supporting parts for the "old" version.  Pietta isn't quite so bad.  The best value for dollar in CAS guns today are Pietta Great Western II.  Even they aren't perfect.  None of the replicas are CAS ready out of the box.  They ALL need something.  Pietta have an Abysmal Cylinder Base Pin and latch.  Uberti still have atrocious Main Springs.  Older Uberti have flat Hand Springs, new ones have coil spring and plunger.  There are some very new guns from Pietta for the car market that are being haled as better than sliced bread but can still stand some little tweaks.

All of the replica manufacturers make some "Friday guns" that are just Krap.  That happens.  It is important to remember, used guns are a Krap Shoot.  If it's more than 10 - 12 years old, avoid it like the plague.  If you can't fondle it, or even shoot it first, avoid it like the plague.  When it comes to selling CAS guns, some CAS shooters can be just as despicable as Pawn Brokers.  Caveat Emptor in spades.

The other advantage to acquiring new is a thing called warranty.  If you take it out of the box and it isn't right, DO NOT get out the screwdrivers and Dremmel.  Ship it back and have it fix'd.  When you buy used, it's yours, warts and all - good luck.

As a retired Gunplumber, I've seen it all.  The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly.  Also, loaning guns out is never a great idea, trust me on that one.  And any time you read or hear "It's been my Main Match Gun, Perfect condition, Never Failed Me" run like hell in the other direction.

I would also consider cap 'n' ball with conversion cylinders. You'd have to figure out .375HB slugs to bump up to the barrel, but it's doable.

  Hey RCJ

I actually don't consider Percussion Guns with Conversions Cylinders a consideration as "Entry Level".  I had and itch just the other day, to build another pair of conversions.  Was gonna make a pair of .38s.  I know, I already have 38s but it "was" and itch.  So I went shopping just 'cause.

Holy Krapola!!  In this day and age, doing conversions ain't atall cheap!!  By the time I finished pricing out a pair of Donor Guns, Kirst Konverters, Kirst Ejectors and a front sight, I was up to around Seventeen Hundred Bucks for the guns I wanted to do.  WOWZERS   Nope.  Not "Entry Level" atall.

Quote from: Coffinmaker on June 18, 2025, 08:31:14 AM Hey RCJ

I actually don't consider Percussion Guns with Conversions Cylinders a consideration as "Entry Level".  I had and itch just the other day, to build another pair of conversions.  Was gonna make a pair of .38s.  I know, I already have 38s but it "was" and itch.  So I went shopping just 'cause.

Holy Krapola!!  In this day and age, doing conversions ain't atall cheap!!  By the time I finished pricing out a pair of Donor Guns, Kirst Konverters, Kirst Ejectors and a front sight, I was up to around Seventeen Hundred Bucks for the guns I wanted to do.  WOWZERS  Nope.  Not "Entry Level" atall.

(sigh) My heady memories of a quarter century ago do not withstand today's sticker shock.

Thanks Coffinmaker, for bringing me back from Shan-gri-la.    

You can occasionally still find used cap'n'ball revolvers for under $200, and used drop-in conversions for thereabouts.  It's possible to put together a functioning one with under $400, a lot of patience, and possibly a lot of fiddling once they're in your hands...which may or may not rule them out as "entry level."