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Post by buckelliott on Mar 8, 2020 21:40:50 GMT -5
I know there a fancier various out there, but my vote goes to the "original" Vaquero. Basically, it is a wonderful box of parts from which to build a world-class single action revolver.
I was lucky enough to get one of the very first Vaquero to find its way to Wyoming.
I took the gun apart and, using Swiss pattern files, and various stones, managed to massage super-smooth cycling not into the beast. A Colt-style base pin from Kellye at Belt Mountain brought evverything into perfect alognmrnt. An "incident" on the North Buffalo Fork caused me to have to replace the original grips, so when we got to Cody, a procured a pair of plastic "ivories" and a couple of half round files, and proceeded to fit and shape the pretty, new stocks by campfire light, on the trip home..
The handsome gun shot as good as it looked and felt.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,106
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Post by edk on Mar 9, 2020 6:24:45 GMT -5
Also see the 45 colt Bisley and 44 Mag Super Black Hawks. Not many Vaquero's I guess I can understand that, as sights would generally make a SA revolver better. So maybe so far some choices are emerging. New Model mid frame flat top (pick your caliber 44 special / 45 colt/acp) Super Black Hawk 44 magLarge Frame Bisley 45 colt Super Black Hawk Hunter 44 mag and 41 mag Old Army - black powder I am surprised not many 3 screws so far.Something to bear in mind while looking for the best intrinsic model with out regard to throat sizes that can be corrected with minor work: The old model 44's generally sported oversized throats. Certainly not a show stopper but a ding in the door when considering as a "best ever".
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Post by 45dragoon on Mar 9, 2020 7:14:51 GMT -5
The Old Army is a 3 screw too.
Mike
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Ramar
.30 Stingray
Posts: 399
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Post by Ramar on Mar 9, 2020 7:47:15 GMT -5
Agreeing with King6 here (and adding another 3 screw), make mine an old model 41 with 4 5/8 barrel. They handle and pack easy, and you can load or buy rounds from cowboy to bear. And, they usually come with chamber throats and barrel properly sized for accuracy.
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Post by reflex264 on Mar 9, 2020 8:37:00 GMT -5
Original 44 Magnum Flat top 6.5" barrel.
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cmillard
.375 Atomic
MOLON LABE
Posts: 1,943
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Post by cmillard on Mar 9, 2020 9:26:01 GMT -5
Bisley accusport in .41 mag
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Post by oddshooter on Mar 9, 2020 11:27:53 GMT -5
It seems like we all have very different personal tastes for "Best Made": Blondes, Brunettes, Redheads.
I've always loved them all and could never pick a "Best". Even adding "at what" doesn't help me.
And what the hell does caliber have to do with any of this question? No body mentioned Single Six? Lots of folks have little experience outside their own diameter preference. I can only speak to my personal experiences with the different Rugers I've owned or fired. I've attempted to personally try an example or two of each. How do I know those single or double examples weren't flukes, good or bad. It would seem to take someone who has owned a dozen of the exact same gun spread from the beginning of manufacturing to the end of the run to know just that one gun? Comparing all the models that same way seems impossible on real world experience criteria.
My personal experience also doesn't address the idea of which model had the lowest percentage of returns to the mothership (is that best made?). Ruger is the only source that knows that answer and they aint talking.
I love my Ruger single actions: Single Sixes, ROA's, OM BH, Buckeye, BH 8, and my Hunter.
Prescut Now if you asked about the worst model, I get opinionated very quickly.
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Post by bluecow on Mar 9, 2020 20:30:25 GMT -5
As you disallowed the Best Ruger single action," no rim fires" (6 inch super single six) I'll have to go with the 2nd best: 5.5 ss SBH .44 mag. with One Ragged Hole aperture sight.
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Post by ceadermtnboy on Mar 9, 2020 21:33:41 GMT -5
I like 22 revolvers, but Ruger already has a best 22 is just happens to be a pistol, The MKII and currently the MKIV. After all of the great feed back, I am leaning towards two.
Old Army Cap & Ball Medium frame new model flat top
I think I would prefer the XR3 grip versus the Bisley grip on the NM flat top. This covers three screw and new model. Now which one is best ever made SA by Ruger? Probably never going to come to a conclusion that would be accepted by all or proven by any. But after considering the great feedback so far. The one thing that I will probably keep on the look at for is the NM Flat top , I like 44 Mag, so probably would prefer 44 special.
However... Even though the Old Army was not selected by many, but discussed a good bit. I can't help but think for its intended purpose, and compared to the competition, and because its a three screw, and convertible. It just may be the Best SA that Ruger ever made.
Thanks for helping me form an opinion. CMB.
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Post by Stump Buster on Mar 10, 2020 0:19:27 GMT -5
I know you said bone stock, but this is as close as I could get to that and I think it's a pretty good candidate... NMFT 45Colt/ACP
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Post by rjm52 on Mar 10, 2020 6:37:09 GMT -5
For me it is the 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .41 Magnum.
I've had the OM, NM, limited edition NM Flat Top and a NM with a SBH steel grip frame...any would work for me.
My favorite would be a 1976 Liberty as I like the old style barrel markings and walnut grips. I had one and let it go.
Just picked up a like new 1977 vintage and it shoots excellent. The .41 all seem to be "right" without any chamber or barrel work at all. And if I can't get it done with a 250 or 300 grain .41 bullet then I need a rifle...
Bob
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Post by whitworth on Mar 10, 2020 6:59:02 GMT -5
For me it’s the .480 SBH. It is Ruger’s apex revolver as far as I’m concerned. 465 Carpenter steel five-shot cylinder, and a Bisley grip frame. I have other “favorites,” but I believe this is the high point of Ruger’s single-action development, chambered in their very own cartridge, the first ever wearing the Ruger name.
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Post by willicd on Mar 10, 2020 19:59:41 GMT -5
I am really loving my new flat top stainless bisley 44 spl. The same gun in a 45 may be even better. I'll let you know shortly, as I have the parts to convert mine to bisley now.
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mc89
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 62
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Post by mc89 on Mar 10, 2020 20:45:10 GMT -5
My .45 convertible blued Blackhawk with 4 5/8" barrel. The model with the two cylinders. Mine even feels the best to me and balances the best over my 3 other Ruger single actions. It can handle hot Ruger-only 45 Colt loads, and still shoot standard velocity 45ACP ammo, plus anything else in between that I can buy or handload. Simply perfect to me.
"Maybe" the only way to improve that gun would be to make it in stainless.
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,044
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Post by nicholst55 on Mar 10, 2020 21:26:05 GMT -5
I had really high hopes for the flattop .45 convertible that I got in a trade. It's one of the Lipsey's models. Both cylinders had multiple size chamber throats, it also suffered from transfer bar pinch and a serious thread constriction in the bore. Guess it's NOT the 'best' after all. I really like my .480 BSBH - after Hamilton Bowen worked it over. It was somewhat lacking in it's just-out-of-the-box configuration. Cosmetics, mostly. Perhaps my standards are too high. To date, I'm really liking my 1968-vintage OM Super that I bought shortly before I left Arizona. I'd call it my personal 'best' for the moment.
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