USFA vs Ruger

wdbarbe · December 29, 2005, 10:19:57 AM

I am thinking of buying either a pair of US Firearms or Ruger new vaquero's.
Any thoughts on which is best.
Not comparing price, just quality.
Thanks,
BB

P.S. Don't want to start any fights over this... I have heard both good and bad reviews of the new vaquero. I am trying to decide if I can justify the extra cost of USFA guns. I know the finish on them is great. Just looking for any thoughts from anyone who may have made this same decision and why.
Thanks

deucedaddyj · December 29, 2005, 10:33:40 AM

I see an argument in the making here.

Virginia Gentleman · December 29, 2005, 04:09:21 PM

Superior Quality=US Fire Arms....Functionality/price=Ruger.

Griff · December 30, 2005, 12:18:26 AM

Quote from: wdbarbe on December 29, 2005, 10:19:57 AM
I am thinking of buying either a pair of US Firearms or Ruger new vaquero's.
Any thoughts on which is best.
Not comparing price, just quality.
Thanks,
BB
P.S. Don't want to start any fights over this... I have heard both good and bad reviews of the new vaquero. I am trying to decide if I can justify the extra cost of USFA guns. I know the finish on them is great. Just looking for any thoughts from anyone who may have made this same decision and why.
Thanks

No argument. Both firms produce good quality arms. However, the two you refer to are DIFFERENT. This simply means they are not alike, and really can't be compared to each other. Yes, they both are marketed to the same group of potential buyers, but the guns are DIFFERENT. One (Ruger) has a transfer bar safety system. Good, solid lawyer induced garbage. A solution to a problem caused by lawyers. However, for purists, it renders the NV mundane, less than desireable. The USFA Single Action is for the pure in heart, mind and soul. Ok, so it don't have the rampant colt on the side of the frame, and don't say "Colt's Firearms Mfg" on the bbl. But, in fit, feel and function, I find them as good as my 2gen Colts.

Virginia Gentleman · December 30, 2005, 11:12:41 AM

Griff:

I couldn't agree more with your statment. I am of the mindset that for authenticity, the USFA really has it down to the point of perfection. BTW, Colt did not put a pony on their guns until the late 1890s and even then it was not always used consistantly. True, the roll mark on the barrel is different on the USFA, but I am really starting to like their "US" avatar as it looks so classic.

Duke Nukem · December 30, 2005, 06:10:53 PM

You answered your own question. I would like to answer your question with a question based on your stateent
" I have heard both good and bad reviews of the new vaquero. "

What bad reveiws or news have you heard about the with USFA firearms ?

The USFA is the best Colt Clone SAA made IMHO and if that is what you want ....You will not find better high quality SAA.

Galloway · December 31, 2005, 07:12:38 AM

If your considering the Rodeo you might enjoy a color case or nicle finish more.

Virginia Gentleman · January 01, 2006, 02:40:24 PM

The only bad thing I can think of with the USFA Rodeo is the bead blasted blue finish, I wish they offered a polished blue finish as an option for a few dollars more.

Doc Sunrise · February 02, 2006, 06:28:23 PM

I totally agree that USFA SAA's and Ruger's Single Actions are two different guns with some similarities in their use. Ruger does make a very good and durable Single Action Sixgun with a very manageable price. USFA makes an absolutely beautiful Single Action Army Sixgun that in my mind reaches beyond the term Colt "clone". USFA SAA's are in a class by themselves for many reasons that can be summed up this way, classy American made Quality. Pick one up, handle it, look at it, shoot it, and then clean it. You will be absolutely amazed! You will have a hard time putting it away for the night. It reaches that deep into your soul, and if it doesn't, it really won't matter which one you acquire.

In all fairness to Bill Ruger who brought Single Action Sixguns back to the public with manufacturing quality and pricing that helped Single Actions thrive again, his company took a great many years and steadfast effort to fight off the stupidity that the legal system saw fit to give credit to. Ruger brought new manufacturing techniques to an old design that needed to be modernized because of irresponsible owners and users, and did a pretty good job of it. In a way, Ruger paved the road for companies in America to once again build traditionally designed sixguns. USFA's Quality speaks for itself, and clearly says that combining the newest and creative manufacturing processes with traditional hand fitting for a final product that is beautiful and holds tradition near the soul.

Ichabod · February 03, 2006, 08:42:45 AM

The bead blast bothered me as well.So I stripped it and antiqued it.Now it really looks like an old original.I even compared the finished product to actual 1st&2nd gens where I used to work.Still perfecting my technique.

Virginia Gentleman · February 04, 2006, 12:54:36 AM

Very nice! IMHO it looks almost as good as the gunslinger finish and will probably age more over time.

Ichabod · February 04, 2006, 06:27:42 AM

It does.The thing I do not like about the gunslingers,is:They Pit the steel.Sometimes very deeply.Make it look abused.I use about the same process,without letting it get pitted.I have seen some that look almost identical.This is almost identical to the earlier Gunslingers,Patina,not pitting.That pic was taken in process,I will have to take a more recent one next weekend.Going to be shorting the barrel this week sometime.

Virginia Gentleman · February 10, 2006, 09:34:28 AM

Again, this is why I think the better route is to by a Rodeo and age it yourself and put the extra money in your pocket.

Griff · April 01, 2006, 02:47:13 PM

Quote from: Doc Sunrise on February 02, 2006, 06:28:23 PM
...In all fairness to Bill Ruger who brought Single Action Sixguns back to the public with manufacturing quality and pricing that helped Single Actions thrive again, his company...

Then went and ruined all he'd achieved by putting that silly disclaimer on the bbl. I won't buy another Ruger product from which his company may have profited from since that date. Yes, I'll buy pre-warning Rugers, but not a one after. Am I being unfair, maybe, but I've made my decision. It's right for me, but may not be for everyone else.

Quote from: Ichabod on February 03, 2006, 08:42:45 AM
The bead blast bothered me as well.So I stripped it and antiqued it.Now it really looks like an old original.I even compared the finished product to actual 1st&2nd gens where I used to work.Still perfecting my technique.

Not being judgemental, but food for thought: If you're portraying a person of the late 1800s/early 1900s did your 1st gen Colt look 120 years old. It's why I prefer to leave my guns to wear in naturally. Back in 1988 when I ordered a pair of historically accurate chaps from a quality maker, I wanted them distressed so they wouldn't look new. He talked me out of it using this argument. I know that the worn look by having the finish removed is different than the distressing of a material such as leather, but you might still be subtracting from it's life and possibly future value.

Doc Sunrise · April 03, 2006, 04:17:11 AM

In due respect, Bill Ruger and his company fought frivilous lawsuits against the firearms industry for several years. For several years in Ruger's annual reports, he has stated the very difficult position his company was put in reporting the status of several ongoing lawsuits, which after a ton of money for the lawyers, finally got all suits taken care of without harm to the company. As much as I hate the legal crap on the barrel, I understand it. I just wish they could find another way to accomplish the same thing.