Beretta Stampede's

[Steverino]

I just finished the review of the Beretta line of Stampede single action six guns in this month's American Rifleman and was impressed with what I saw and read so I had to, of course, :D handle a few models yesterday when I stopped in to my local gun range/shop. They do have a nice feel and balance. I was originally impressed with the Marshall model from the pictures but was more impressed with both the nickel and blued Deluxe models in longer barrel offerings.

Any of you SASS cowboys shoot the new Beretta's? I've always had a hankerin' for a single action and I get a nice bonus from work come Springtime. I'm a thinking that there might be one in my future at some point down the road! I like some of the grip handles better on some of the Uberti's that I saw (and they were priced way cheaper too although the finish was markedly better on the Beretta models) What do you folks in the know think?

[GoodOlBoy]

Well I guess I give it enough time to assume somebody with more experience ain't gonna jump in on it.

I have not personally worked with any of the new berettas but most of the reviews have been very favorable. My only concern is that they cost so dad blamed much more than a new ruger around here. Even the new model vaqueros with the smaller frames cost alot less, and they are alot stronger.

Thats my 2 cents fer what its worth.

GoodOlBoy

[Steverino]

I picked one up over the weekend GOB, after making the "mistake" of stopping by the ol' pistol counter after a bowhunting session. I had been pricing around the Stampede Deluxe and saw one at a lower price than I had seen advertised at some other shops and websites around me.

It's a sharp looking and handling revolver. I'm hitting the range this Saturday so I'll update ya'll on how it performs (notice I said the gun and not me!:D ;)

[GoodOlBoy]

Let us know how she works out. Besides cost there is always that "feel" to a gun that is right to a person and that counts for alot.

GoodOlBoy

[Steverino]

Well...I had a little time on Saturday to sneak off to the range with the new member of my "family" for a little bonding time!:D

Although this gun is manufactured by Uberti, the fit and finish was definately a notch above the standard Uberti offerings. Perhaps the new Beretta nameplate ensures a bit more on the QC side. I have been eyeing some of the Cattleman SA six guns for a little while before stumbling unto the Stampedes.

Around in my neck of the woods, the Stampedes were in the same ballpark as the nicer Ruger's. I am a Ruger fan and know the strength of their frames and barrels owning GP-100's and SP101's. Still though, the Beretta felt a little better in the hand.

I began shooting Winchester .38 special cowboy loads in 130 gr, smokeless flavors and found immediately that this little revolver shoots well to point of aim, which made me very happy. I don't shoot nearly as often as I used to:( but found if I did my part, I could obtain 2-1/2" groups consistently firing at a distance of 25 yards with a classic two handed grip.

Shooting single handed opened the groups up but wasn't at all extreme. This was a fun and very comfortable revolver to shoot.

I of course, had to "spice things up" some and began feeding some of the larger .357 magnum loads in 110gr, 125 gr., and 158 gr. offerings and came to a couple of distict conclusions that I am happy to share!;) First off, walnut grip panels that indeed look real swell with that nice patina bluing doesn't do a whole heck of a lot to keep your rear molars in place and shock reverberation travels to a minimum when shooting hotter loads out of that small framed 4" barrel offering.:D The 110 gr. loads was more manageable and accurate in all of the .357 offerings.

This revolver was purchased mainly as a fun plinker that I could shoot both 38 and .357 loads with but also use in SASS in the future. There were no hang-ups or ejector problems either. The larger loads definately rocked the frame though. The cylinder lock-up remains very tight and rotates to each chamber with an audible click and feel of a well tuned watch.

I enjoyed the single action very much and actually found myself concentrating a bit more between the ejecting and loading process. I will probably stick with .38 offerings or light .357 's for my set-up but was overall very pleased at this revolver's performance. I would reccmmend a longer barrel to those that may want to shoot hotter .357 magnum loads consistently. ;)

[GoodOlBoy]

Sounds like a winner. I have found that 110 grain JHP 357's work well in the accuracy department for me in most 357s I have tried as well.

Congrats.

GoodOlBoy