USFA Rodeos vs. USFA Pre-War

[Kid Carson]

Hey all...

Newbie to the scene here trying to make some decisions. I am seriously looking at buying my first single action .45 Colt revolver. I really like what I have heard about the USFA guns. I like the look of them and what people have said about their quality.

My question is whether or not the .45 Rodeo is as good of a gun as their premium Single Action or Pre-War. I know the main difference is finish, but how about the build quality, parts, and fitment?

I'll throw other questions out here as well...

I am not planning on doing solely CAS. I will not be hunting with this gun. After more thought, I will not be too interested in hot loads either, just factory & CAS loads.

I will be mainly doing outdoor target shooting with my dad. Some CAS. Paper targets indoor. Interested a lot in collecting guns for the pure aesthetic appeal. Trick shooting too.

I really like the classic design of the USFA .45 guns.

Now I just have to decide between a consecutive pair of Rodeos with one piece walnut grips...

Or do I really splurge on one and get a bone case/blue Pre-War with smooth walnut grips and a gold signature on the backstrap?

I think the biggest issue I am fighting over is the finish on the Rodeos versus the cold case/blue finish on the premiums. I absolutely love that premium finish...obsessed even...but is it worth spending all that money on?? I could get two consecutive LHH Rodeos with walnut grips for about the price of a single Pre-War with walnut grips & signature.

Also debating on the barrel length...4 3/4" vs 5 1/2". Any input you have on that would be appreciated. Accuracy, weight, aesthetics, etc

Thanks...just trying to make up my mind by reading as much as possible. Sorry if this topic has been covered before. I have not come across exactly what I am looking for as far as answers.


Kid Carson

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Kid,
First off, welcome to the forum!  Hope to see more of you here in the future.
To answer your first question, The quality of the Rodeo is on a par with the premium guns. The only difference is the finish.
Now, as for finish...  If cost is a concern and you don't mind the flat black finish of the Rodeo, go for the Rodeo.  That being said, it sound to me like you really want the premium grade blue and CCH finish.  Unless you are in a real rush to get two guns, I would go for the premium grade with walnut grips.  Personally, I would rather have one gun that I am absolutely happy with than two that I find less appealing.  You mentioned that you are interested in "collecting guns for the pure aesthetic appeal."  If that is the case, the premium models are the only way to go.
One more thing to think about is that gold signature on the back strap.  It looks neat but I would avoid it.  Some day you might find yourself interested in selling or trading that gun and, unless you are somebody famous, your signature on the back strap will decrease the gun's value considerably.  Think about it.  Would you be interested in buying a gun with someone's name engraved on it?
Take Care,
CJF

[Kid Carson]

Capt. John,

Thanks for the feedback and welcome. I am looking forward to getting my new hardware and joining your community here.

I see what you are saying about the signature. Probably a bad idea even though I could see myself holding on to these guns forever.

I am thinking about this:

Would I be right in thinking that I could get a new USFA Single Action for around $1175 with walnut grips? If so, I might be inclined to do that.

or...

Have you ever heard of anyone buying a set of Rodeos in the white and sending them off to Turnbull to get CCH finished & wood grips? You think that might be cost effective or make sense?

[Doc Sunrise]

To begin with the Rodeo is definitely equal in internal quality and timing as the Premiums or Pre-Wars.  If you are going to hunt, target shoot, and shoot CAS, a 5 1/2" Rodeo will give you enough accuarcy without sacrificing manageability of speed.  The Matte Blue Rodeo finish is also non-glaring in the outdoors, and is a very durable finish against normal wear & tear.  In the appeals department, concerning the Rodeo, get the color cased hammer, what a difference.  In the trick shooting department, the standard rubber grips have some of the best gripping ability I have ever felt, and the US logo is cool.

Now, after you have begun shooting your Rodeo(s) and you are having a ball, splurge on a beautiful Pre-War with the one piece Walnut grips.  The few that I have with one piece Walnut grips feel as beautiful as the curves of a beautiful woman.  I highly recommend one of the Inspector Series Guns.  They are gorgeous and they give a full effect with a 7 1/2" barrel with all that blue against those beautiful case colors, that's the appeal you are looking for.  Yes, Yes, Yes, they are definitely worth the money.  But, I must warn you, when you start buying USFA SAA's, you can not stop at just a few.  I now have 13, and I am still planning for more, at least that is what I told the wife, I actually have some coming!

One more piece of advice, stay away from the signature on the backstrap unless you are looking for a truly personalized gun that will only have value to you.  Personalized things are not valuable to others, unless you are Teddy Roosevelt.

Well, this is just one man's opinion!  Good luck and Enjoy!!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Kid,
$1175 should put you in the ballpark.
Just between you and me  , USFA's 2006 dealer pricing lists the premium grade revolver at $835 with a MSRP of $1085.  Pre-war lists at $995 with a MSRP of $1345.  Dealer price for standard, one-piece walnut grips is listed at $199 with a MSRP of $249.
That special pre-war finish is nice but so is the standard premium grade finish.  CCH is the same for both.  I would be perfectly happy with either one.
Shop around, talk to dealers and tell them how much you want to spend.  Those MSRP's from USFA are high.  I have yet to find a dealer who asks the full MSRP.
CJF

[RRio]

Kid,

I am in the process of slicking up a brace of Rodeos for my shootin' pard, Earthquake Jake, adding a set of Wolff springs. The Rodeos are exactly the same as Pre War, SAA, or any of the others. Same high quality workmanship.
I love doing action jobs on USFAs because there is very little I have to do to them. Can't say that about all the others, though.
I might add that the Marshal has great prices on USFAs when you get ready to buy:

Cas City Gunshop

[Kid Carson]

Hey guys...

Thanks so much for all the info. You're being a big help.

I think those prices sound a lot better than the MSRP that I was thinking about. I'm gonna start talking to some dealers right away. If I can get a solid deal on either the premium Single Action or Pre-War, I might just say screw all and get a pair of either with the one piece smooth walnut grips.

So if you're friends with any good dealers...you might want to have em get in touch with me soon. 

Or if my brain cuts in and plays moderator (let's hope not), I may just buy a pair of Rodeos and juice 'em up real nice. That matte finish has actually kind of grown on me. I have always been a bit fond of things that have a cool understated strength to them. That Rodeo finish is starting to appeal to me in that fashion. Especially, with some nice wooden grips.

Hey...here's a question for you guys. How do you guys like a maple or mesquite wood grip instead of walnut? I think they look as good or better than the walnut. The mesquite has a nice darker rich color to it. My only concern is that it's really something that wasn't used back in day on these guns. Any idea if that is right?

Thanks...

Kid Carson

[RRio]

Hey...here's a question for you guys. How do you guys like a maple or mesquite wood grip instead of walnut? I think they look as good or better than the walnut. The mesquite has a nice darker rich color to it. My only concern is that it's really something that wasn't used back in day on these guns. Any idea if that is right?

Pard of mine has burled mesquite on his Pre War that are goregous. Custom made and fit by an outfit in Tucson. "Outlaw Grips", I believe.

[Whiskey Hayes]

Howdy Kid

I competed with a set of Rodeo's for 4 years now.  I have owned a pair of SAA prewar BP frame for 3 years.  I do all my on gunsithing, so very familiar with the gun's interiors.  The internals of the guns are finished the same.  I practice a little bit, 1,000 rounds per month = 12,000 per year, split up 6,000 rounds per rifle and 3,000 rounds per pistol a year.  That is 12,000 rounds per Rodeo in the last 4 years without a single problem.  The SAA are so pretty I haven't been able to force myself to compete with them.  I shoot them on occasion and have them in the gun cart as backup and show.  I disassemble the Rodeo for cleaning once a year for cleaning even if they don't need it, this includes cleaning the barrel.  I only oil them after each use.  Leading is not a problem with either gun.  I can't measure any difference in chamber throat on any of the guns.  QC is very tight.

The major difference between the guns are the sights.  Rodeo's have big square rear and large front sight.  The BP frames have a V notch rear and small front blade.  The Rodeo's have a better sight picture, this olds true for informal plinking, huntiing or competition.

The Rodeo finish has been very durable with very hard use, both guns are turning purple now and look like old original finish.  The Rodeo finish doesn't scratch easily.  I can't really judge the SAA finish for durability, use has been limited.  If you want an everyday shooter/competiton gun yoiu can't beat the Rodeo.  The SAA is probably as good a competition gun but they are so pretty and I am so rough on guns I can't force myself to compete with them.

I have read a lot about the difference between Colt's and USFA's but you have to have a keen eye to find them, for all practical purposes they are the same, in fact if you order spare parts for a Colt you can't tell them form the USFA parts.

Whiskey

[Kid Carson]

Well fellas...thanks. I am just blown away by how enthusiastic and helpful everyone has been. I have posted one thread about my questions on SASS and one here on CAS City. I just can't tell you how many PMs and replies I have gotten from so many friendly people. It really makes me think that I am making a good choice to associate myself with this scene.

I have been calling and emailing a bunch of vendors of USFA. I have been checking prices and inventory. I may even take a drive up to Hartford and go visit Gary Granger and USFA personally this weekend. See what I can see first hand.

I think if I can get a good enough deal on a set of USFA Pre-War Turnbull armory blue/cch revolvers...I will just end up getting those. I know it's a bit extravagent, but I keep finding myself thinking about how nice they are. If I can't get a good enough deal on those, I will most likely get the USFA Single Action Premiums with the Dome Blue/cch finish. Almost as nice! I am not a dedicated CAS competition shooter...I don't hunt...and I don't plan on being too rough for any reason on them. I think mostly I will be doing target practice with my dad and friends. I will also just be out practicing on my own. I think that and me staring at them will be their main purpose. I will probably go visit some local PA clubs and check out some CAS shoots and see what I think. If I find myself really wanting to get into CAS competition, I will find a set of Rodeos on the cheap and get those for competition.

I have also been approached by a number of people and dealers that have been offering me recent 3rd Gen Colt SAA guns for darn good prices. Very similar to any premium USFA gun's price. They are tempting too just because the Colt name. I just find it hard to bring myself to get them because from all the reading and talking I have done I have not heard one bad thing about USFAs. On the other hand, I have heard a lot of both good and bad about the Colts. I think for a mixed use/collecting stand point, USFA has got my vote. Now, down the road I will most definitely buy some Colt SAA for collecting....but they will be very old 1st or 2nd Gen original SAAs. They will reside in a special case only to be admired. 

Kid Carson

[Banjoman]

Kid,
Don't stop by on the weekend.  We're closed.
Banjoman

[Kid Carson]

Kid,
Don't stop by on the weekend.  We're closed.
Banjoman

Ha...thanks. I was going to check that out before I came up. You saved me a step!

I will be looking forward to the visit soon Banjoman.

Kid Carson

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Kid,
Sounds like you are on the right track.  That Pre-War armory blue is nice but so is the premium dome blue.  If you are buying a "shooter" the dome blue would probably be a bit more practical.  As for the walnut grips, you can always get the economical "hard rubber" grips for now and add the walnut grips later. 
For after market grips I would suggest Paul Persinger in El Paso, TX (phone # 915-821-7541).  The last price list I got from him is a couple of years old but he was asking $125.00 for fitted, walnut grips.  Paul does excellent work.  I have a couple of sets of elephant ivory grips from him.  His turn around time is quick and the best part is that he only needs your trigger guard and backstrap to custom fit your grips.  No need to sent the whole gun.
CJF

[Kid Carson]

Capt. John,

I have heard great things about Persinger's work. I will have to look him up. Does he have a website by any chance? I tried searching for him, but just came up with some pics of his work mixed in with other people's work.

Thanks a bunch,

Kid Carson

[RRio]

Shall I add your name to the USFA CSS membership roles or do you want to wait till you get your USFAs?

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Kid,
No web site for Persinger.  You might give him a call and see if he has a current price list that he can send you.  Price list I have is from 2002.
In addition to grips of ivory, rosewood, ivory micarta and walnut, he also does checkering and carving.  As I said, I have a couple of sets of one-piece ivory grips that I got from him and he is a nice guy to work with.
CJF

[Kid Carson]

Thanks Capt John...I may just contact him for research sake. We'll see what I end up getting on my hardware from the factory.

Rawhide Rio...let's just wait till I actually get my hardware. Nothing worse than a poser wouldn't you agree? Ha ha. Hopefully, I'll be adding my name to that list real soon. 

[RRio]

Rawhide Rio...let's just wait till I actually get my hardware. Nothing worse than a poser wouldn't you agree? Ha ha. Hopefully, I'll be adding my name to that list real soon.  Wink

Yep, surely would!    Hope you find exactly what you want. Let me know when you do and I'll add you to the roster.

RRio

[Kid Carson]

Well...I talked to Gary Granger tonight. He's a real nice guy. Very helpful. He gave me the names of some dealers in my area. I looked em up and they are nice and close. Word has it that one of em has a big shipment of USFAs coming in to him right now. I understand he has two consecutive 4 3/4" cch/blue .45 Premium Single Actions in that shipment.  I think I might have to snatch those beauties up! I am gonna have to head out there ASAP.

I'll let ya'll know how that works out...

Kid Carson

[Kid Carson]

Well fellas...

I just got back from a great local gun store that Gary Granger referred me to. It's called Enck's Gun Barn in Newmanstown, PA. Bob Enck was really patient with all my questions and gun gawking even though he had a shop full of people that just got back from a CAS shoot. It was great to talk to all the nice people in their cowboy gear. Bob's shop specializes in cowbuy guns, ammo & gear. Great place. He had a lot of USFA gear in a USFA display case. He had Pre-War, SA, Henry Nettleton, Gunslingers, Cowboys, and Rodeos in stock. All in various nickel, cch armory, cch dome, and antiqued finishes. I was practically drooling on the case. Ha.

Well, I handled all the USFA guns and even some Rugers too. I was having a heck of a time deciding on getting a pair of USFA Premium Single Actions or a pair of Rodeos. Bob's prices were very fair and he was willing to work with me. I couldn't believe how pretty in person those cch/blue Premium guns were. Turnbull does an amazing job on those finishes! After much hemming and hawing, better judgement set in and I saved myself a bunch of money by getting a pair of consecutive Rodeos. That matte blue finish is really not bad at all. They have a certain appeal to them. They only had the 5 1/2" in a pair in stock...or one 4 3/4". So, I ordered a pair of consecutive 4 3/4" Rodeos. I used that money I saved by not getting the Premium Single Actions to order smooth walnut grips and I am having Bob do an action job on both guns. He was nice enough to go get his pair of personal Gunslingers that he did an action job on. He let me handle them and I can say that they felt really nice with the action work he did. A number of the guys in the store had USFA guns that Bob did work on and they could attest to the quality. He uses Lee springs for his action jobs.

Well...when I last talked to Gary at USFA he said that Rodeo orders were moving along much quicker than the Premium orders. He said it shouldn't take very long to get some Rodeos out. So, let's hope I get a call really soon saying my Christmas presents to myself are in and ready for me to pick up!

I'll post some pictures in the gallery after I pick them up.

Kid Carson