Colt crazy cowgirl

[North Country Gal]

Yeah, I got it bad with the Colt style single action revolvers, but they just fit me so well, almost like they were made just for me. Getting so bad now with the urge to shoot my Uberti Colts, that when I see a western with someone shooting a Colt, it makes me want to drop everything and go shoot my Colts. Happened last night, in fact. We were watching Last of the Dogmen with Tom Berenger (love the movie) and his sidearm was a Colt (and the rifle a Winchester, of course).

So, today, despite having a lot of errands to run, I whined enough to get Bill to stop for a short range session with a couple of the Colts. Couldn't just shoot the Colts any old way, of course. Had to do the one hand shooting thing. I blame some of you guys for that (you know who you are ).

First up was my Smokewagon 357. Have tuned the sights for standard 158 grain 357 loads with this Colt (no 38s in this baby).


Warmed up a bit to get the feel of the Smokewagon, then leveled it off, using a one hand hold. First few shots were not my best, so I knuckled down and then darn near shot a one hole group. Was having so much fun, did not notice the recoil, which was "lively", but by no means nasty.


357s are practical and effective, of course, but a Colt just isn't the same if it isn't a 45 Colt. This is my Ranch Hand in 45 Colt, sights tuned for standard 250 grain loads.


Did well at 16 yards, but have never tried 25 yards with this Colt, so ... why not? Held at six o'clock for the first 6 shots. That's the six on the bottom. Figured that was close enough to dead on, so shot the next one holding on the red dot in the center of the 6" bull. Almost nailed it. Big smile, followed. Then kept most of the rest in the black.


Learned a lot about shooting these Colts, today, and all to the good. Was very pleasantly surprised to learn that shooting these classic Colts with one hand is remarkably effective, far better than I expected. In fact, one of the easiest to shoot revolvers with a one hand hold I've tried. Nothing new there, of course. Folks have been shooting Colts this way as long as there have been Colts. Leave it to me some 150 years, later, to figure it out.

Better not watch a western, again, tonight.

[RanchRoper]

Great job!

The Marshal says "Drop everything and shoot your Colts".

[markiver54]

Outstanding...and fun NCG!

[BigAl52]

Now ur talking Cowboy up with those single action revolvers

[BrokenolMarine]

Great Shooting as always, beautiful guns

I have a number of favorites myself, the list is Long...
Tombstone
Lonesome Dove
Open Range
True Grit (Both Versions)
3:10 to Yuma
Pale Rider
Outlaw Josey Wales
Quigley Down Under

The list goes on...

...and on.

[dddrees]

Awesome groups, and I too really like the Colt SA as well. I guess I'm a big whimp and nowhere as good because I can't even do that good with both hands. Don't yet have one in CCH and I may just have to fix that one day. As nice as my Rugers are they just don't look as nice as those Ubertis.

[RanchRoper]

Nothing like a Colt .45. Those are both nice revolvers. You would probably like a long barrel version.

That 25 yd target is sweet. Love those big bullet holes.

[ESquared]

Beautiful Colts and nice shooting, as always! Thanks for sharing.

[CT_Shooter]

Great shooting, as always, NCG. Thanks for sharing your targets with us.

I have both of those guns, though my Ranch Hand is a 22LR and makes holes in paper (when I hit it) that are roughly half the size of your 45. I can only dream about shooting as well as you do, but you continue to be an inspiration for self-improvement. And, even though my targets never look anything like yours, I do shoot one handed and it's always fun.

[BigAl52]

She needs a big ole Hog leg Right RR

[North Country Gal]

Thanks for such nice comments, guys. I do appreciate it.

Yes, I can see a 7 1/2" Colt in my future, now that I've come to appreciate just what these guns can do. And these Uberti Colts have all shown themselves to be inherently accurate revolvers, though I've never put one on a rest and shot for group size. Don't see the need, really, when I can shoot some one hole groups with all of them at 16 yards without a rest. Tells me all I need to know.

Yeah, westerns are still my favorite movies. Can't go wrong with a movie that includes Colts, Winchesters, good looking cowboys, horses, the wide open spaces and more (not necessarily in that order).

I do like Ruger VQs, but the fit in my hands is just enough different than the traditional Colt to make the Ruger's a bit awkward. Not a deal breaker by any means, but enough to make the Colt my preference. I do like the fact that Ruger is now turning out some specials with Turnbull CCH, though. Very tempting.

Yeah, the 45 Colt thing. The cartridges making me rethink my decision about getting out of reloading. May just get a simple, basic kit and restrict the reloading to the 45 Colt. Might make a good winter project.

[Mags]

.
So I'm curious. What are the differences between the Ranch Hand, the Cattleman and the Stallion? In pictures they look identical.

[North Country Gal]

Basically all 1873 Colts built on the same frame size with subtle differences in the grips and sights. The Ranch Hand, for instance, has an ever so slightly deeper cut in the rear sight notch, the Smokewagon, the checkered grips and so on. As much marketing as anything really substantial.

These two are Taylor tuned actions, though, meaning they get an action and trigger job, compared to standard models. The nice trigger on both is a plus for shooting one handed. Honestly, though, my other Uberti Colts are standard factory as far as action and trigger and are good enough to make it hard to justify the extra expense for the tune job. Keep in mind, though, that I cherry picked them with an onhand inspection, so there is no grantee that every Uberti Colt will have good triggers right out of the box. On the other hand, though, I will say that the average trigger on a Uberti Colt is heads and shoulder above the average trigger you get on any Ruger SA. Ruger single actions are great guns, but no one goes out of their way to buy a Ruger SA for their triggers.

[CT_Shooter]

The Stallion is smaller than the others.

The Stallion revolver is a scaled down version of the Colt Single-Action Army, arguably the best-selling pistol ever produced.

It was popular in .22 caliber due to the cheap price of ammunition and light recoil in a full-sized revolver.

Today the Uberti Stallion revolver is available in both .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special.

What are the differences between the Ranch Hand, the Cattleman and the Stallion? In pictures they look identical.

[North Country Gal]

Correct on the Stallion. Did not catch that. Thanks. I have the Cattleman 22 LR, which is the full size version. That's why I like it. Has the same balance as the other Colts, so a great practice gun.

It is hard to keep up on all these different models, for sure.

[fortyshooter]

Great job using those .45 hole punchers!!

[North Country Gal]

No kidding, love those big holes. Adds to the fun. Can see them without binoculars at 25 yards even when they miss the splatter targets. Those little dinky 22 LR holes have me grabbing the binoculars a lot.

[Mags]

Oh ya I remember now reading the stallion was 3/4 size.
From assumption after looking at Taylor's website it looks like the untuned Ranch Hand is the same as the Cattleman also untuned.

[North Country Gal]

Very similar guns, though the Ranch Hand is a bit lighter, given the brass and, of course, those bigger 45 cal holes.

[BigAl52]

I bet grabbin those Binos to look at dinky holes on paper is better than grabbin the wallet to pay for those big holes on paper bullets