Show yer Peacemakers, folks!

[Fx51LP308]

As many here may know, I'm not very big on Wheel guns. I prefer semi-auto pistols for the capacity in re HD/SD scenarios. I do own a SW Model 10, given to me by my Uncle. That said, I do acknowledge that revolvers have their place in our community and they are well liked. So I should learn to get used to them, if only for sport/skill purposes.

The revolver that has fascinated me over time is the Colt SAA or "Peacemaker," .45acp. For my Miami Vice brethren here, Willie Nelson, playing an old, retired "Texas Ranger" in the "El Viejo" episode pawned one of his Colt Peacemakers




And here's the opening of that episode. Note that while it appears in Season 3, ep. 7, it must have been broadcast "out of order," because, by this time, they had already blown up he Daytona Spider and replaced it with the White Testarossa.



And the last "gunfight" scene where Willie uses his remaining Peacemaker and dies after helping Crocket stop the BGs... Not sure if the sound effects are accurate in re: the Peacemaker, but it is rather interesting.



When I went onto Gunbroker to look up the SAA or Peacemaker, I got a ton of different responses, barrel lengths, etc. I wasn't sure what was what. Therefore, I ask those of you who own a Peacemaker, what you consider to be the best model. I'll use the gun featured in the Miami Vice episode as the "canonical standard." If you have pics, please post. I'd like to see what you have. I have to figure that's one of the better wheel guns on which to learn how to shoot wheel guns. Don't think I'd want a SW 500 class gun at this point.

If ya got a Peacemaker, show it here.... Thanks much.

And, here's a bit more Willie.....

 

[kthomas]

My wife's favorite handgun:

 

[wvfarrier]

I had a couple I used for mounted shooting, they were a lot of fun.

 

[Edsel]

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

My wife's favorite handgun:

View attachment 8749273

But is she your favorite wife?


(Couldn’t help myself, BearPit)

 

[Maser]

Not exactly a Buntline Special, but this is the cap and ball revolver I used to own.

 

[Rookie]

Agreed, stay away from the giant caliber revolvers. if you need to put that much energy on the target buy a rifle. Here's my Ruger new model Vaquero, which is the same size frame as the old Colt peacemaker. In 45 Colt.

 

[Modoc]

My SASS rig with matching NM Vaqueros

 

[Norther]

The revolver that has fascinated me over time is the Colt SAA or "Peacemaker," .45acp.

.45 Colt, not .45 ACP.

 

[Maser]

.45 Colt, not .45 ACP.

You can buy .45ACP cylinders.

 

[chevy_man]

Ruger Blackhawk is a solid and not overly expensive option. I've shot a few of them, .41 Magnum seems to be a favorite (and I don't know why because energy is similar, but the 41 shoots much softer than a 44.)

Anything in 357 mag is going to be a great option. You can get reduced power 38s to plink all day, or full house 357s for bear defense.

 

[Fx51LP308]

.45 Colt, not .45 ACP.

Understood, having just Googled it. 45 Colt (or Long Colt) is a rimmed and a longer cartridge for revolvers. 45 ACP is a center fire cartridge and a bit shorter for semi-autos like 1911s. They are not interchangeable.

https://ammo.com/comparison/45-colt-vs-45-acp

 

[tarheel7734]

My Uberti in 45lc charcoal blue.

 

[Alphatreedog]

Ruger Blackhawk is a solid and not overly expensive option. I've shot a few of them, .41 Magnum seems to be a favorite (and I don't know why because energy is similar, but the 41 shoots much softer than a 44.)

Anything in 357 mag is going to be a great option. You can get reduced power 38s to plink all day, or full house 357s for bear defense.

44 mag is next purchase . We rented one at the local indoor range . The boy is hooked .

 

[supercorndogs]

44 mag is awesome. I used to shoot 240 cast bullets around 800fps and also around 2000fps. I had a 629 classic stainless 5". It's one of the few guns I have sold in would care to have back. Lol

 

[Sandhog308]

Was my Granddads , Dads, mine Purchased in 1917 for $ 17.00 !
I have the original receipt and the letter from the Colt historian.

 

[Jscb1b]

Understood, having just Googled it. 45 Colt (or Long Colt) is a rimmed and a longer cartridge for revolvers. 45 ACP is a center fire cartridge and a bit shorter for semi-autos like 1911s. They are not interchangeable.

https://ammo.com/comparison/45-colt-vs-45-acp

You can get cylinders in 45acp. They use half moon clips to hold the 45acp by the extractor groove.

 

[Sandhog308]

Not a Peacemaker but this S&W model 1917 can shot both 45 ACP or 45 Long Colt .
Half moon clip required.

 

[JoshPutman]

The only revolver I own is a 22lr/22 WMR single action. Fun gun. My boy shoots it better than I do.

 

[Mike Casselton]

There's also a 45 Auto rim.
It's the same length and same load as a 45 ACP. The brass has a rim.

Not really sure why it exists, but it does.

 

[Modoc]

There's also a 45 Auto rim.
It's the same length and same load as a 45 ACP. The brass has a rim.

Not really sure why it exists, but it does.

Wartime production initially. I was told that it was less expensive and saved the spring steel to produce the Auto Rim. True or not

Starline is also producing the 45 Cowboy Special, a 45 A.R. With a 45 Colt rim on it.

@Sandhog308 , which historian wrote the letter?

 

[Fx51LP308]

You can get cylinders in 45acp. They use half moon clips to hold the 45acp by the extractor groove.

I wouldn't want to mess with that. If it's designed for 45LC, I want to shoot it with 45LC. Part of the "skill" being to shoot it using the cartridge (and power) for which it was designed.

 

[acpchuck]

Never thought about buying a single action revolver, then came across a deal I couldn't refuse. Local cowboy (SASS) club was having a gun raffle for several different guns. Bought a ticket for $20, forgot about the drawing and then one night got a call saying I won a choice of gun. Best of the selection was a Ruger Vaquero in 357 mag. Turns out it was one of two in a Ruger SASS set of consecutive serial numbered guns. A friend in the club asked if I would be interested in buying the other gun as he was pretty sure the guy who won it wouldn't clear the 4473 paperwork. So I 'bought' the gun from him (was a certificate from the club redeemable at the gun store for the gun) for $460. Ended up with these two for a total of $480.

 

[Fx51LP308]

There's also a 45 Auto rim.
It's the same length and same load as a 45 ACP. The brass has a rim.

Not really sure why it exists, but it does.

Indeed it does. I see it on Ammoseek.com

.45 Auto Rim Ammo

In-stock best prices for 45 Auto Rim Ammo | Bulk 45 Auto Rim Ammunition - AmmoSeek.com

ammoseek.com

 

[Sandhog308]

Wartime production initially. I was told that it was less expensive and saved the spring steel to produce the Auto Rim. True or not

Starline is also producing the 45 Cowboy Special, a 45 A.R. With a 45 Colt rim on it.

@Sandhog308 , which historian wrote the letter?

Marty Huber

For some reason I have a S&W 1917 , my Dads Model 1911 he carried in WWll , a Colt Pre-Woodsman , and the SAA all manufactured in 1917.

 

[Modoc]

@Sandhog308 , I was hoping that the SAA (Peacemaker) had a letter from John Kopeck Only because of his friendship and the memories of seeing some of the revolvers sent to him for authentication.

 

[Sandhog308]

@Sandhog308 , I was hoping that the SAA (Peacemaker) had a letter from John Kopeck Only because of his friendship and the memories of seeing some of the revolvers sent to him for authentication.

Cool !!
I met both Marty Huber and Kathleen Hoyt at a Colt Collectors Assn. event in Hartford CT years ago. Both were super nice.

 

[Fx51LP308]

So, some additional questions regarding the SAA/Peacemaker in 45LC. Is there standard barrel length or can that vary? What's the "canonical standard" for that? Also, are there speed loaders for the 45LC?

 

[Modoc]

So, some additional questions regarding the SAA/Peacemaker in 45LC. Is there standard barrel length or can that vary? What's the "canonical standard" for that? Also, are there speed loaders for the 45LC?

The three “main” barrel lengths were “Civilian” 4-5/8”, Artillery 5-1/2”, and Cavalry 7-1/2”, but I’ve seen from 1” to 14” barrels.

The setup does not really allow for speed loaders.

 

[sandhiller]

Colt Peacemaker .22LR/.22mag my dad bought for me when I was about 10.
Just one of the guns that will never leave the family

 

[Fx51LP308]

The three “main” barrel lengths were “Civilian” 4-5/8”, Artillery 5-1/2”, and Cavalry 7-1/2”, but I’ve seen from 1” to 14” barrels.

So, which of these would have been issued to LE at the time? Particularly, the Texas Rangers? I'm amazed there aren't speed loaders for it that work. I can't imagine being in a fire fight and having to stop to load each individual cylinder. Perhaps, maybe your partner took over for you while you stopped to reload, and vice versa.

 

[Atomic_Lobster]

My US Firearms .45 colt saa

 

[diggler1833]

Ca. 2007 in the great chambering of .45LC.

It is a Colt, but sad to say that there are/were several other manufacturers that made a better product.

 

[Mike Casselton]

So, which of these would have been issued to LE at the time? Particularly, the Texas Rangers? I'm amazed there aren't speed loaders for it that work. I can't imagine being in a fire fight and having to stop to load each individual cylinder. Perhaps, maybe your partner took over for you while you stopped to reload, and vice versa.

They were infinitely quicker to reload than a cap and ball revolver...

There's nothing in their design that would work with a speed loader.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Colt Peacemaker .22LR/.22mag my dad bought for me when I was about 10.
Just one of the guns that will never leave the family
View attachment 8749739

I gots a couple of them colt deuce deuces. Buntline is 22 mag, other is standard LR. 1962 production and never fired

 

[diggler1833]

So, which of these would have been issued to LE at the time? Particularly, the Texas Rangers? I'm amazed there aren't speed loaders for it that work. I can't imagine being in a fire fight and having to stop to load each individual cylinder. Perhaps, maybe your partner took over for you while you stopped to reload, and vice versa.

As stated above, no speed loader ability. The fastest design is going to be the S&W model 3 and its variants (Schofield, Russian etc...). You got to at least eject all five cartridges at once, and with practice can do that with one hand.

You want fast, you carry another gun.

 

[roostercogburn98]

As stated above, no speed loader ability. The fastest design is going to be the S&W model 3 and its variants (Schofield, Russian etc...). You got to at least eject all five cartridges at once, and with practice can do that with one hand.

You want fast, you carry another gun.

Or another cylinder full

 

[Fx51LP308]

Or another cylinder full

I'm thinking that's the more likely case. Swapping cylinders... just about the same speed as a speed loader.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I'm thinking that's the more likely case. Swapping cylinders... just about the same speed as a speed loader.

Not even close to as fast, still have to click hammer back to second click, open gate, pull rod and dump cylinder out. Reverse process to insert new cylinder.

Not a thing I’d want to have to do under duress or less than almost perfect conditions

 

[buffalowinter]

 

[Mike Casselton]

I gots a couple of them colt deuce deuces. Buntline is 22 mag, other is standard LR. 1962 production and never fired View attachment 8749805

You need a 17 Remington

 

[Mike Casselton]

Or another cylinder full

That's the best thing for the Cap and Ball.
Sometimes, the tighter cylinder pin can make for a slow swap in the SAA.
You can do an eject and reload as you go around with the SAA and Rugers.
It's not fun, but it's potentially quicker than eject all, reload all.

Having a free spin mod makes reloading much, much faster.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I'm thinking that's the more likely case. Swapping cylinders... just about the same speed as a speed loader.

Not even close.

 

[Sniff]

Ruger Single Six .22LR. Made in 1972 so no transfer bar. Four clicks as you pull the hammer back.



My pair of Ruger Vaquero .357 Mags. I picked the first one up at an Antique Arms Association gun show in Auckland and the second at the same show the next year. They were from a deceased estate and previously owned by a little old lady who only shot them on Sundays.


I don't shoot cowboy action, but wanted a pair of guns in case I ever got the urge.

 

[Keith E.]

You can get cylinders in 45acp. They use half moon clips to hold the 45acp by the extractor groove.

Reloading could be a bit aggravating with an SAA style handgun as you'd need to pop the cylinder out if using full-moon, half-moon or 1/3-moon clips.

Keith

ETA: Some manufacturers offered .45ACP cylinders where the cartridge headspaced on the case mouth.