Inexpensive Armament

[O.T. Buchannan]

So, a Rossi 1892 for $400?  I know that this is a decent gun.  So, if someone could purchase a Taurus Gaucho for $350.....

Sounds good so far.......

[O.T. Buchannan]

Dr. Bob, I agree.   This is a lesson that I learned, and I try to tell other folks.  Purchase a QUALITY item to begin with...you will later be glad you did.

[St. George]

Do some homework - so the manufacturers and the relative quality of their wares are better understood - and then buy 'used' - but from a dealer who doesn't normally deal in these sorts of weapons.

Find a dealer/shop who's taken something in on trade that's 'different' from his normal array of Glocks and the other 'black guns', and you'll definitely find a bargain, since he's going to want to move it.

A Cimmarron, or other high-quality firearm is just 'another used Italian gun' to many dealers and shooters out there - and as such - they hold relatively little interest to those looking for adjustable sights and such - so they can be a drag on the market - cutting into his profit margin.

A gun show's another good place - using the same criteria.

Buy or trade for the very best that you can afford - it pays off in the long run.

There are bargains to be had for the serious buyer - so 'arming' oneself with knowledge beforehand  is key to the successful 'arming' of your C&WAS Impression.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Bristow Kid]

OT I look forward to your articles very much.  Being new to CAS and NCOWS and needing to arm myself.  I am always looking for a good buy.  Can't luck into the deal I got on my Rolling Block and Coach gun.  Them kinda killed my working cowboy gun budget.  But it was a deal I couldn't refuse and have no regrets.  And I looked today the Gauchos and the Rossi's are cheap and look to be very good guns.

[Major Matt Lewis]

The Gaucho is the only non-Colt I know that has 4 clicks.  They come with Wolf Competition Springs out of the box and are ready to go.  They also come with a life time warrently.  Taurus has made their reputation on making high quality reproductions or S&W, Colt, Beretta etc...

The only issue that some may find with the Gaucho is that it has a transfer bar.

[Irish Dave]

Matt:

My Cimarrons have the "4 click" action as do all the Ubertis I've handled.

[Major Matt Lewis]

Matt:

My Cimarrons have the "4 click" action as do all the Ubertis I've handled.

Sorry Dave,

I reckon I am more familiar with the Colts than the clones.

[Irish Dave]

No biggie, Matt.

Actually, I have a pair of 7.5" 2nd Gen. Colts myself, but have to say I prefer to shoot the Cimmys.

Although, since I started shooting Working Cowboy, I've semi-retired them all in favor of a Navy Arms Russian in .44 Russian or a custom RV Sheriff's model (traditional 3" ejectorless) in .45LC.

^^^^^^^^^^
OT:
From what I've seen, the new Taurus Thunderbolts are on the market for about $360-$400. I know they are working the bugs outa some of them, but seems like once they get that done, these are gonna be a heckuva good rifle for a very reasonable price.

[French Jack]

O.T., just a word to mention that while inexpensive, the Cabela's Millinium is not approved as issued.  It has a matte finish which is unacceptable for NCOWS.  This CAN be remedied very easily, by buffing out the matte finish and grip frame on the Millenium to a smooth finish.  It actually takes only about 15 minutes or so to do, and leaves a smooth grey finish much like a worn blue.

Another possibility for a rifle is the copy of the Winchester 92 now being made by Beretta.  I have had a chance to handle one, and it was very well fit and finished.  Price was in the $400 range.  Yhe EAA Bounty Hunter revolver is quite well made, and is a real bargain in the $300 price range.  The Taurus Gaucho and the Beretta Stampede are both well made, and slightly higher.
Also, don't forget the used market-- Rugers are quite durable, and the used price is normally quite reasonable.

Care should be taken to not only shop for the best price for your choice of armaments, but to choose models that are acceptable for our organization.  That prevents a lot of bad aftertaste on what you thought was a great deal.

[Bristow Kid]

OT,

Just another thought you may or may not wanna add.  Keep on the look out for non-CAS guns.  I have bought a couple non-cas guns and have used them for trade on CAS guns.

[O.T. Buchannan]

Bristow, I've been known to do the same thing myself over the years.  French Jack, thanks for telling me about the EAA revolvers.  I was looking at some of them in the gun store yesterday.  The thing is, despite all we have been talking about here, I've still seen Uberti SAAs for less than $400 bucks (consistently, in several different stores), so you might save 20 or 30 bucks by going to a Taurus or something like that, but personally, I would purchase the Uberti product first.

In the article, I may mention several of these options.....

[Delmonico]

One thought here, often a small independant dealer that works out of their home and does not have a store front will order what you want for far less.  They have less overhead.  Often these are CAS/WAS shooters themselves.

[Bristow Kid]

Ruger New Vaquaro(not Bisley) I found one for $450 chambered in .45 Colt

[Major Matt Lewis]

www.gunbroker.com & www.auctionarms.com are your friends.  Wide Variety and competitive prices.