USFA 45 Question

[bbs70]

First of all I have 2, 45s.
A blackhawk stainless 4 1/2 in barrel
a New Vaquero 5 1/2 in barrel with fake color case hardening.

I'm not into cowboy shooting, just target shooting.
They both are great shooters.
The blackhawk gets a little heavy on occasion.
The New Vaquero I like the weight of it, but seems the balance is a little front heavy and the grips are a little small for me.

I've owned 7 or 8 Ruger single actions (great guns) and decided it was time to try one from someone else.
There is a gun show coming up in 2 weeks and before I go to it I would like to get some input from you all.

I'm thinking about a USFA Rodeo2.
From the research I've done on line it seems to be the best made single action over the Italian made guns.

There are no gun dealers in my area that have a Rodeo2, so I can't go see and handle them for myself.
I'll have to wait for the gun show for that.
So in the mean time I'd like all the info on this gun I can get before I make a decision.
Grip size.
Accuracy.
Balance.

[jh45gun]

Thats what they say they are great guns but nothing wrong with Uberti's.

[ktw]

Grip size.
Accuracy.
Balance.

I recently bought a USFA SAA 45 Colt 4 1/2". My understanding is that this is very similar to the Rodeo mechanically, only better finish. I used to have a Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt (full size, 4 5/8"). I also own a Freedom Arms model 97 45 Colt (5 1/2" bbl) and a Super Single Six 32 H&R Mag (fixed sights, birdshead grip).

I only have 200 rounds through the SAA. The grip is smaller/shorter than the old Blackhawk. Don't know how it compares to a new model Vaquero. The grip is slimmer and roughly the same length as the SSS. I find the SAA grip to be very comfortable to shoot.

The SAA shoots 4" to left of point of aim of the fixed sights with most loads I've tried in it so far (200-255gr, 700-900fps). It's good on elevation. I contacted USFA about it and they said they would be happy to take care of that if I wanted to send them the revolver and a target. I will be doing that in the near future.

I haven't done any load development work with the SAA and won't bother until I get 400-500 more rounds through it. It seems to shoot reasonably well so far, as good as my Blackhawk ever did on it's best day, but I don't expect it will ever compete with the FA97 in the accuracy department (sights/barrel length/etc).

I like the balance of the SAA. It's chunkier through the middle than the FA (6 vs 5 shot cylinder), but feels lighter and trimmer overall.

-ktw

[bbs70]

Nope, nothing wrong with Umberti's.
Even been thinking about a cimmeron by them.
But I'd like to keep it an american gun.

[bigboredad]

I would also take a look a the uberti evil roy. I read and heard that it is a great gun with some good upgrades over a standard uberti

[Ed K]

I purchased a LNIB Rodeo about 3 years ago @ $400. They seem to be around $500 or a little more in that condition today. That is not enough of a premium over a Ruger or Italian clone worry about in my opinion. If you want it get it. It is a great gun: very tight lockup, very good chamber dimensions and alignment. It is easy to get to shoot well. By that I mean it is not load finicky or prone to leading, etc. more than a tack driver - after all it is 4-3/4 and fixed sights. Sight regulation is about right on with respect to elevation but windage a little to left - not much. A had a Colt once and mechanically this is a superior gun but not all shiny blue and engraved like the Colt.

[cajun shooter]

KTW, The USFA Rodeo's have bbls of 4 3/4 not 4 1/2 as you posted. Both the Rodeo and Premium are made in the old Colt Factory in Hartford , Conn. They are the best SAA revolver being built today. They are equal to the old Colts. The only difference between the Rodeo's and the premium is the outer finish. Turnbull does the CCH for the USFA guns. I have owned both models and love them. They also have a lifetime warranty. Both sets of mine are capable of shooting to POA if I do my part. One set in 45 Colt and the other in 44-40. For just a little more you can buy a Colt instead of the premium but I would buy the Colt. BBS70 take time to call Jim Finch AKA Long Hunter and ask him about the USFA compared to the Uberti's. He works on both every day and will give you a honest answer. I own a Uberti made 1873 rifle and it is a fine gun by all means but the Uberti revolvers are not up to the standards of the USFA's or Colts. I saw where a gun smith used a USFA part to repair a Colt and it worked perfect. A lot of Ruger shooters put down on the Colts and USFA's and then spend money so that they work like them. I took and used some Flitz with 0000 steel wool and gave my Rodeo's a antique look that is very nice looking. Make that Call !!!

[Lloyd Smale]

Ill go this route. I have yet to find a better quality colt copy then a usfa. Another thing is usfa stands behind there guns and will fix ANYTHING that goes wrong. I had a pretty poor experience with cimmerons warantee dept and heard that uberti isnt much better. If it breaks you will pay for the repair and it wont be cheap. Another thing i look at is usfa is an american company and a gun that is totaly made in america and thats pretty rare anymore.

[jh45gun]

Well if you buy a new Uberti its a 5 year warranty thats not that bad considering they could have went with a standard one year like they used to. I think anything old enough to not be covered by warranty I would just take to my local gunsmith.



Uberti Warranty:

Stoeger Industries - Uberti Firearms
Uberti 5-Year Warranty

Only those Uberti firearms imported by Stoeger are protected with a 5-year warranty. Factory-trained U.S. gunsmiths use only genuine Uberti parts. No other importers of Uberti products offer this extended warranty.

The 5-year warranty only applies to Uberti’s imported by Stoeger. All other firearms have a 1-year warranty.

1-Year Limited Warranty

A new Uberti firearm is warranted only to the original retail purchaser, for 1 year from the date of purchase. This warranty applies only if the firearm was purchased from an authorized Uberti dealer in the United States or Canada.

Uberti will, at its option, repair or replace without charge any Uberti firearm that fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship. Parts and labor are included. Repairs are warranted for the duration of the original warranty. If Uberti replaces a firearm under this warranty, you will receive a new 1-year warranty. Uberti will return replacement firearms to you freight prepaid.

To Obtain Warranty Service – Call Stoeger Industries at (301) 283-6981 or (800) 264-4962 and ask for the Customer Service Department. Describe the problem(s) to the Customer Service Department personnel, who will determine if your firearm is eligible for warranty repair. If so, you will be issued a Return Authorization Number. Guns are not accepted for repair without a Return Authorization Number. If a warranty registration is not on file for your firearm, you must provide Uberti satisfactory proof of date of original purchase. Only a sales receipt or a properly completed warranty registration card for a new Uberti firearm will establish eligibility for warranty repairs when a product is returned. Pack your firearm for shipment to the Stoeger repair facility (address listed below) in the following manner: First, ensure that the firearm is completely unloaded by visually and physically checking the chambers and the magazine. It is both dangerous and illegal to ship a loaded firearm through the mail and you should call Stoeger Industries for assistance if the gun cannot be completely unloaded for any reason prior to shipping. DO NOT PACK OR SHIP LOADED FIREARMS. SEND NO AMMUNITION. Place your firearm in the original box with the spacers in place to prevent damage in shipment. If you do not have the original box, ship the gun, assembled, in a hard gun case. Please include a letter containing the Return Authorization Number you’ve been given and a description of the problem. Be sure to include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Insure the package for the replacement value of the gun and ship the package, freight prepaid, to Stoeger Industries at the address listed below. No C.O.D. shipments will be accepted. Only the Stoeger Industries repair service facility in Maryland is authorized to make warranty repairs.

Stoeger Industries
Attn: Service Department
901 Eighth Street
Pocomoke, MD 21851

What Is Not Covered – This warranty does not cover defects or damage caused by: 1) misuse or accidents; 2) failure to provide proper care or maintenance; 3) failure to comply with instructions in the owner’s manual; 4) normal wear and tear; 5) rust or corrosion; 6) obstructions in the barrel. This warranty does not cover any claims made by the second or subsequent owner of any Uberti product.

ANY UNAUTHORIZED ALTERATION OR MODIFICATION OF THE FIREARM WILL VOID THIS WARRANTY. UBERTI SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLAIMS INVOLVING THIS FIREARM THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF FAULTY, NON-STANDARD, REMANUFACTURED, OR RELOADED AMMUNITION.

IN NO EVENT SHALL UBERTI BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. The warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Uberti does not authorize any dealer or any other person to vary the terms of this warranty or to make any other express warranties.

Where to Get Further Help – If you have questions concerning this warranty, please contact Uberti at Stoeger's Customer Service Department. Stoeger Industries, 17603 Indian Head Highway, Suite 200, Accokeek, MD 20607-2501. (301) 283-6981 or (800) 264-4962.

[bbs70]

Well, the more I read about both guns, the more I think the USFA is going to be the one.
I really like the idea of the USFA being made here in the U.S.
Made in the old Colt plant, the closest I'll probably get to owning a real Colt.
The cimarron is a good gun and I'm not knocking it, but as I said I really like the idea of buying an american made gun.

[jh45gun]

Well, the more I read about both guns, the more I think the USFA is going to be the one.
I really like the idea of the USFA being made here in the U.S.
Made in the old Colt plant, the closest I'll probably get to owning a real Colt.
The cimarron is a good gun and I'm not knocking it, but as I said I really like the idea of buying an american made gun.


I hear they are good guns so good luck with your purchase. I am not talking about USFA but I have seen that unfortunately these days Made In America is not always perfect with some brands.

[Marvin S]

I have a Rodeo and it is a finely made gun that is crisp and tight. Just look at the way the gate fits the frame and the finish in the cylinder mouths. I would either get it or check out the STI Texican. These two would be my pic with out a doubt, made in the USA still means something to me.

[MtGun44]

The SAA grip frame is too small for my hands. The Rugers are just right. On that basis alone
the Rodeo spends a lot more time in the safe than the Ruger BH convertible.

Bill

[Buckshot]

...............I wouldn't buy a brand new Uberti ANYTHING on a bet. It's a crapshoot as far as I'm concerned. My Uberti Hi-Wall isn't a pistol, but the first place Cimarron had me ship it to (cost me $38) was Banana River Outfitters in Indiana. I got a call from them saying they'd get to it as soon as possible but they had a complete shipment of Uberti pistols that they had to rework. I didn't ask what the problem was with them as I didn't care, but he did say "Re-Work". Seeing the barrel they let get out of their factory on my Hi-Wall, nothing would have surprised me.

Now I might buy a USED Uberti if I could shoot it and handle it first. But buy a new one? No way Jose!

..............Buckshot

[jh45gun]

...............I wouldn't buy a brand new Uberti ANYTHING on a bet. It's a crapshoot as far as I'm concerned. My Uberti Hi-Wall isn't a pistol, but the first place Cimarron had me ship it to (cost me $38) was Banana River Outfitters in Indiana. I got a call from them saying they'd get to it as soon as possible but they had a complete shipment of Uberti pistols that they had to rework. I didn't ask what the problem was with them as I didn't care, but he did say "Re-Work". Seeing the barrel they let get out of their factory on my Hi-Wall, nothing would have surprised me.

Now I might buy a USED Uberti if I could shoot it and handle it first. But buy a new one? No way Jose!

..............Buckshot


To each their own Buckshot I feel the same way about Rugers! :)

[Buckshot]

To each their own Buckshot I feel the same way about Rugers! :)

..............Just me but I think Ruger built their rep on strength.

..............Buckshot

[jh45gun]

I agree they are strong guns and if you get a good one fine but if you do not its a PITA. I bought my Uberti used but like new and it shoots great has a great trigger and even with the fixed sights I can hit well with it. Maybe I got lucky but before I bought it but I did do a search on the net and it seemed that most folks that have them are well satisfied with them. A few are not thats true but then I can say the same about Ruger and it seems I have heard more complaints about Ruger on these boards and forums than I have about Uberti so that is why I bought a Uberti to try. I have had good and bad luck with Ruger but as you say I would not buy one unless I could shoot it something I have a said about Rugers several times on this board.

[bbs70]

I can't complain about the Rugers I've owned.
They are great guns and and I haven't had any trouble with the ones I've owned.
But the new stainless 45 blackhawk I bought several months ago had an 8 lb trigger pull.
I had Bill Oglesby work on it and it is a great shooter.

I just want a 45 that is a little lighter than my blackhawk.

[WallyM3]

Though I've not been a major, or even serious, collector of SAAs, I have owned single action cartridge Colt revolvers made back to the 1860s.

This includes every "generation" SAA made.

In my view, the USFA product is a 4th Generation SAA. Their fit and finish are the finest I've ever seen. They had (I haven't handled one lately) the oily smoothness of a Starrett micrometer. I finally chose this one to make my once-in-a-life-time keeper SAA.

A little gun porn:

This was a smooth operating, well finished platform when I got it from USFA prior to the work done to it. I can still do a credible "Curly Bill" with it and it's a delight to shoot.

[cajun shooter]

I have been to several armorer schools including Ruger. I have not been to any USFA schools. The ones that I attented were for law enforcement. The ruger is built like a tank and if I had to pick a gun to last it would be a ruger. Now if I had to pick a SAA it would and has been the USFA's. I have seen and heard of rugers with all kinds of dimension problems. Measure a Ruger 44-40 and it will be as much as .431 not the .4265 it should be. The cylinder throats are all over the place. We have found Rugers with .452 bbls in 45 Colt then the cylinder throats will be .458 which is not good. My USFA 44-40's measure .4265 in the bbl and cylinder. That is perfect

[Sagebrush Burns]

If the grips on the New Vaquero are too small for you, likely any of the other Colt size revolvers will also feel too small. All of the various clones including USFA have very similar size grips to a Colt and the New Vaquero is the same size. Original Vaqueros and Blackhawks have a slightly larger grip and do feel different in the hand.

[bbs70]

I talked to Long hunter about the grips on the USAF and was told they are about the same size as the New Vaquero.
Been trying to find a dealer who had a Rodeo to get my mitts on it to get a feel for one before I bought one.
No one within 100 miles of me has one though.

The blackhawk grips are just a tiny bit too big and aren't all that comfortable.
The Rodeo has small grips.
Only thing left I guess is to see about after market wood grips.

[bbs70]

After a month of off and on searching I finally found a dealer that had a Rodeo.
Made the mistake of handling it, wow.
The grips are just a tad bigger than the NV and feel good.
But what got me was the action, smooth as silk.
And this was straight out of the box.

I've always had Rugers and never paid much attention to other makes of single actions.
When I pulled the hammer back and pulled the trigger on this Rodeo I really noticed the difference compared to my Rugers.
Smooth and effortless, now I'm sold on the Rodeo.
Hard to explain it, but the Rodeo just seemed to function better than the Rugers.


Now to get the funds and wait 2 months for Longhunter to get and work on the gun.
( I want the coil type hand spring not the flat one ).

[lefty_red]

If you are wanting coil springs, look at the SASS model and just order it from USFA that way. Its another affordable model.

Jerry

[bbs70]

Definetly going USFA.
Gotta sell my Blackhawk first though.
I've settled on the Rodeo model, found one and it felt good in my paws.
I prefer the case hardened finish, but the rodeo is the right price.
Besides I'm more function than looks, if it shoots good the finish doesn't make that much difference.
But the color case finish is still simply beautiful.