Colt SAA - Which Caliber?

[jeffreywt]

I'm looking to buy one, and only one single action revolver. It's going to be a Peacemaker.

Which caliber would you choose: .45LC, .44Spl, or .357mag?

[WDW]

.357, it's the cheapest

[Coyotesfan97]

My votes for 45LC.

[Tamara]

I'm looking to buy one, and only one single action revolver. It's going to be a Peacemaker.

Which caliber would you choose: .45LC, .44Spl, or .357mag?

Of those three? .45 Colt.

But my first choice would be .38 WCF (with an extra 10mm cylinder if it's a new enough gun to handle it. I had a Vaquero set up that way for a while. We called it the "Space Cowboy".)

[Al T.]

.44 Special for me.

[peterb]

What will you use it for?
Do you already own revolvers in any of those calibers?

[Tamara]

What will you use it for?

You know, the thought that someone might be buying an SAA for any reason other than "Just because" had never even crossed my mind? :o

[jeffreywt]

What will you use it for?
Do you already own revolvers in any of those calibers?

Mostly just because. Also, for teaching NRA basic pistol. In other words, it will be shot very little and fondled a lot. I could serve that purpose with something cheaper like a Vaquero but I like Colts and I know as superficial as it is, I would be unsatisfied with anything that wasn't the "real deal".

I will be getting a DA revolver in .357 at some point for the same purposes. Taking that into account, .357 is probably the way to go. I just figured I'd ask in case one of the other calibers was super fun to shoot or whatnot.

[SecondsCount]

My Vaquero is chambered in 45 Colt but only because I am a little more nostalgic and I already reload bunches of 45ACP which share the same lead bullet.

357 is probably a better choice from cost standpoint but you will want to go with 38 Specials most of the time. Magnum ammo is not fun out of a gun with that little funky grip.

[DocGKR]

Go retro and real: .45 Colt or .44-40.

[jeffreywt]

... more nostalgic and I already reload bunches of 45ACP which share the same lead bullet.

Good point on reloading. I don't reload right now but I hope to start soon. Like you, .45ACP is on my to-do list.



Go retro and real: .45 Colt or .44-40.

Another vote for .45 Long Colt.

Thanks for all the input so far! :cool:

[FotoTomas]

I have two Single Action Rugers right now, both in .357 magnum. One has a 9mm cylinder as well. I wanted some cowboy action shooting guns to play with and went .357 for economy and compatability with my several other DA revolvers. I do not currently have any bigger bores in revolvers. My teaching revolvers also are all .357's or .38's and it makes sense to me to be compatible.

Were I to buy a Colt SAA "just because" then I would go for the original .45 Colt caliber. I would prefer one of the martial styles for my military collection. Its only purpose then would be to make me happy. In todays economy I am afraid I need to simplify more rather than expand my collection.

[Tamara]

Saw a gorgeous 1909-vintage Bisley in .38 WCF (.38-40 for you whippersnappers) at the Fun Show this past weekend. I got a little weak in the knees for a bit.

[WDW]

Saw a gorgeous 1909-vintage Bisley in .38 WCF (.38-40 for you whippersnappers) at the Fun Show this past weekend. I got a little weak in the knees for a bit.
A buddy of mine just sold that exact gun not too long ago. I got to fondle it though before he let it go:)

[DocGKR]

.38-40 is nice as well.

If the SAA is just for play, then .38sp/.357 mag is attractive due to cost...

[David Armstrong]

I'd go .357 unless there was a compelling reason not to use it. Since it is just for fun might as well be economical about it. Having said that, if you go witht he .45 Colt you can also get a 2nd cylinder made for .45 ACP which is a fun combination.

[willypete]

.45 Colt. You can find practice ammo at WalMart if you need to. Also, you'll probably develop new skills like bullet casting and reloading out of financial and logistical necessity ;). Since you're getting the gun, get the cartridge that's named after it.

[SteveK]

The New Frontier model is coming out in .44 Special. It will be sweet.

[PaulL]

I've always liked the .45 Colt. The cowboy loads don't have much recoil at all, so not too scary for new shooters. Make sure you get a 3rd gen or a shooter-grade older one. I always wanted one, and the one I found is really too nice to shoot much. Blessing and a curse...

A buddy of mine also suggested making your own wax bullets for kids and the extra-nervous. Less noise, and no recoil at all.

[jlw]

I am a fan of .45 Colt, but if the only reason you are getting it is for NRA classes and you plan to get a DA revolver in .357, doing both in the same caliber would be more practical logistically.

[groot nadine]

another vote for .38 WCF... the original .38 magnum

[JAD]

another vote for .38 WCF... the original .38 magnum

Not exactly -- more like the original .40 S&W.

[dbateman]

Not exactly -- more like the original .40 S&W.


It's pretty much the original 10mm

[JAD]

It's pretty much the original 10mm

I think I like my tomato slightly better than your tomahto. From hornady's 7th, we have 1050@200gr and 1100@180 for the 38WCF, from a 6.5" (revolver, so all lands and grooves). .40S&W, from a 4" (auto, so 3.15") gets 950 and 1050 respectively. 10mm from a 5" (as it should be) gets 1150 and 1250.

The distinction is important, because as we all know 40 is just an ill-mannered 9mm where 10mm is the Hammer of Thor.

[dbateman]

I think I like my tomato slightly better than your tomahto. From hornady's 7th, we have 1050@200gr and 1100@180 for the 38WCF, from a 6.5" (revolver, so all lands and grooves). .40S&W, from a 4" (auto, so 3.15") gets 950 and 1050 respectively. 10mm from a 5" (as it should be) gets 1150 and 1250.

The distinction is important, because as we all know 40 is just an ill-mannered 9mm where 10mm is the Hammer of Thor.

I know the 38wcf can be hot rodded a bit but you need to use good brass like star line or the like that can take it and a gun that can handle it.


I'v never been to worried about what loading manuals say, it seems every time someone asks me what my load is I always get a shocked look and then
a lecturer on how it's x amount over some reloading manual.... I have no idea how people can remember all that load data I can't even remember my phone number!

hehe the 40S&W isn't called 40 short and weak for no reason, man I would love a 10mm.

I'v just always thought of 38-40 as the 10mm of the old west.

[SteveK]

.45 Long Colt. Straight wall cases mean longer case life, bullets are plentiful as is Unique. And besides...they don't make a .46.:p

[BLR]

.45 Long Colt. Straight wall cases mean longer case life, bullets are plentiful as is Unique. And besides...they don't make a .46.:p

Ordered a New Frontier a while back in 45LC, with a 45ACP cyl for cheap/easy practice. Not sure what to practice for, but it's there. I'm told it's getting grips fitted now. Can't wait.

[Jim Watson]

If he is still shopping after six months, I recommend either the .44 or .45.
A .357 SAA is a heavy, ill balanced piece because of the small holes in barrel and cylinder sized for .45s.

Mine is a .44 Special with .44-40 cylinder to go with my 1892 in SASS.

[RickB]

.45 Colt, so you can use a conversion cylinder and shoot all the .45 ACP that you load for your autos, anyway.

[jetfire]

Go retro and real: .45 Colt or .44-40.

/thread

Since it's just for fun, .44-40 all the way.

[JonInWA]

For a combination of fun and affordability, I'd suggest .357 Magnum/.38 Special. While it is heavier, as suggested by Jim Watson earlier, I went that route on a 5.5" "Gen 1" Ruger Vaquero (which in and of itself was inherently heavier than the current Ruger Vaqueros), ad really liked it-the additional weight nicely soaks up the recoil, significantly mitigating against (in a positive way) the plowshare grips-I had no problems that I recall with balance.

I will freely admit that the heavy cylinder with its size identical to the larger-chamber Ruger Vaqueros but mass significantly increased due to the smaller chamber holes would probably easily qualify as a deadly weapon if thrown at a target...

A single-action revolver is...fun-not necessarily practical (except perhaps as a hunting revolver).

Hmmm...kinda like a...1911??:cool:

Best, Jon

[Tamara]

Hmmm...kinda like a...1911??:cool:

Jesus wept, how many wedgies did you get from 1911s in the junior high locker room that you have to bring them up in a thread about revolvers?
That is some serious kinda grudge. Let it go, dude.

[JonInWA]

Relax, Tam. It's called a "joke." Lighten up.

Best, Jon

[Tamara]

Relax, Tam. It's called a "joke." Lighten up.

Best, Jon

I was obviously being totally serious when I said that you had gotten wedgies from 1911s. :p