I'm wanting to buy a couple new Uberti SAAs. But, I'm not sure what the difference is between the different models. Is there any difference other than finish? Are some of them of a higher quality? I've noticed that some of them are priced differently.

I have several of their blackpowder percussion revolvers and they are all of a high quality.

Any Uberti gurus here who can shed some light on them for me?

My first choice:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRevolvers/SingleActionArmy.aspx

My second choice:

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/single-action-revolver.asp

If you absolutly, postivly have to have a Uberti, my third choice:

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/MP668-ModelPStdFin.htm

I'm certainly not a Uberti guru, but I'm a BIG fan of the CAS/gunsmith, Long Hunter. He sells these:
http://www.longhunt.com/taylor/runniniron.htm
his "tune up" makes them incredible--also you might consider the USFA Rodeo--which is their low-cost version--internally the USFA's and Uberti's are identical (according to Bob Munden). Of course the USFA's are made here, the Uberti's in Italy. Answering your question directly, I don't think that there's any difference between the Uberti P series Colt replicas other than cosmetics--the guts and specifications would all be of identical quality. Of course, I could be wrong.

I recently picked up this Uberti Callahan NM Target in .44 mag and I have to say that I am impressed with the little revolver. Finish is good, it has nice grips, the action has slicked up nicely from use, and it's accurate. Hard to beat for the price IMHO. Did I mention that it looks good?

As stated elsewhere, the major difference is in the degree of finish. Uberties are excellent single action revolvers, offer a whole lot of bang for your buck and are extremely popular with the CAS crowd, who tend to wring the poo out of their guns. The only suggestion I'd make regarding any of the SAA clones out there is go for a gun with a high level of finish, and avoid those with brass back straps or grip frames. If you are thinking about a SA for CAS then I'd suggest that you invest in a pair of .357 Magnum Uberties as they are cheaper to feed, and your ammo will also chamber in your lever gun.

I can find no fault with Whit's gun at all. It is as good as it gets and shoots great.

Uberti is the manufacturer's name whereas Uberti's are imported by anyway two outfits here in the states, Cimarron and Taylor's. There could be more. Additionally, Uberti also imports their own. In the past, Uberti has made guns to spec for various importers and these guns can vary both externally and internally. I'll stay with the guns imported currently by Uberti themselves, since that's what your post says.

If you're going for authenticity, I would stay away from both the larger framed guns, such as those chambered in .44 Magnum and the brass framed guns, which were never regular production items back in the old west era.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_action_cattleman.php


To the best of my knowledge, these guns are all identical or nearly so, internally.

You can see for yourself that Uberti differentiates between Old and New Models by whether the particular firearm has a cylinder retaining pin or a simple screw. I don't like the Old Models personally, simply because Uberti insists on an oversized screw which is not authentic and also decreases the aesthetics of the gun IMO.

I think the Cattleman Steel is a best buy amongst all these models.

Cole, the Callahan is not large framed in the least. It's a small revolver.

It appears to have a longer grip frame, such as the 1860 Army. The "Callahan" or whatever Uberti calls it, has to be beefed up some in order to take the .44 Mag. cartridge. Otherwise it would be unsafe. I've owned a couple of .44 Mag. Ubertis in the past and this has come up before. I can't recall the size exactly, but unless somebody has pretty small hands, it would not be extremely easy to tell the difference between the Vaquero and New Vaquero, for instance, unless they were either side-by-side or the person was looking for the size difference.

The OP apparently wants something for Cowboy Action Shooting. Whereas the target sights of the Callahan on your particular gun, are nice, they are in no way authentic to the old west. Neither is the unfluted cylinder. My own post was geared towards authenticity rather than straight shootability. You may have a different take on what the OP wants.

My take is that he is calling quality into question as he is interested in purchasing a couple of them.

Yes, the OP asked about the quality and the differences between the models. He didn't ask which model is more authentic. Where did he say anything about cowboy action shooting? Am I missing something? Even the Callahan that I have is a small framed revolver with a short cylinder -- especially relative to other single action revolvers I have in .44 Magnum.

Again, not being argumentative, just a bit confused.......

No flies on the Uberti's in my opinion...
Wife's Cattleman's Birdshead in .357

VERY nice!

I wasn't being argumentative either, just trying to alleviate your confusion. Generally when somebody speaks of buying two Ubertis, they are talking about a matched set for Cowboy Action Shooting, where two pistols are required and matching sets are common. I expect if I gave the OP too much info or info that doesn't suit what he is going for, he can sort it out and throw out that which he doesn't want or need.

Your Uberti looks like a fine gun, it's just not what I'd choose for Cowboy Action Shooting. Maybe the OP wants a pair for Grizzlies in Alaska. If so, maybe he'll deep six my info and use yours to get a couple of Callahans so he can shoot one two-handed or maybe shoot a couple at once, should they attack him in a pack. I dunno. YMMV.

Cowboy what? Are you telling me that the primary function of a revolver isn't hunting???? I've had it wrong all along?

My intent is to buy a pair of nickeled Ubertis in .44-40 with 4- 5/8" barrels. I'm not going CAS with them. I just want them. I have a pair of Uberti 1860s, a pair of 1851s, and a pair of 1858s. I also have an EMF birdshead 4" in .45Colt/.45ACP.

IF I was into CAS I'd probably buy a pair of Ruger NVs.

Just trying to understand the differences in all the Uberti named models like Cattleman, Dakota, Hombre, El Parton, Cody, Gunfighter, Regulator, etc. I've looked at their catalog but they really don't explain it; or I can't understand it.

I appreciate everybody's help. Sorry for being obtuse.

CAS is a fun game for those with more money and time then 95% of us can afford. The clothes cost as much as a used car!
Accuracy is not needed, only zero recoil. The extreme beating a single action takes means more repairs or new guns.
It is a "strut chicken feathers game." Only thing missing is the runway.
Fun, yes, I suppose so, but it is very expensive.
It is like the civil war gang at Winchester VA. You need not only period clothing but need, when you change outfits, clothes to match. You also need guns and everything else to match.
Strut like a rooster before you can pull a trigger!

That makes it very easy. They aren't available. If you're going Uberti with Uberti as the importer, according to their catalog, they don't make a 44-40 in full nickel-plate.

Upon perusal of both Taylor's and Cimarron's catalogs, it appears they don't either. Strange.

On the differences between Uberti's various nickel models, it looks as if the only variations are the grips and barrel lengths. The Cattleman is available in 7 1/2" with walnut grips, whereas the Cody and Desperado are both 5 1/2" guns with either faux ivory or "Bison Horn" handles. I don't know if the "Bison Horn" is real or not.

Things may be different in Alaska, but down here, many times you can get significant savings on these guns, even new ones, at gunshows or when a distributor has a special price. The guy I've gotten to where I deal with, bought several awhile back and he had them for less than $400. They weren't in the configuration you wanted though. I'd have bought one, but the last one he had was in that aged finish that I just can't warm up to. I think it was like $359 before tax.

Click on this link as it is fuill of good information:

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_action_cattleman.php

That is a good looking gun at that!

Thanks, Tombstone!

My beat up 40 year old, cost me next to nothing used, Uberti Cattleman is my favorite handgun to shoot.

Just like 25 years ago some guy was asking me why I would play that cheap Japanese Ibenetz guitar when I have good American guitars.

Just like someone asking me why I am using a Lee Collet die when I have a Redding S die.

You have to look beyond the cost, appearance, status, country of origin, etc, and be able to see what you are really getting.

Indeed.

Hey Gang,

I can attest that the finish levels on the Uberti line vary greatly. I got a good deal on a "Uberti 1873 Cattleman Hombre" NIB for $250. Although I'm happy with the apparent quality (I haven't been to the range with it yet), the finish is almost a Parkerized-like black. The stocks are nice, the action's tight and the fit looks good. For $250 (Tanner Sports has both .357 and .45LC available at this price), I'm happy with it, but I expected nicer bluing (GB photo made it hard to tell). The other side of the coin is that I don't have to baby this one. My two cents!

JJ

You expected better bluing? For $250.00? Really?