SIG P226 + Off Topic Colt SAA

[TMan]

Back to the Colt vs. the Beretta Stampede. I had an assignment to find out if the Beretta Stampede Deluxe was true colored case hardened like the Colt. According to Gun Tests magazine, they thought it was. Is it real or is it Memorex (remember the commercial?)

First the two guns: my Colt is on the bottom.



Sorry about the shadows, it was getting late in the day. (Make a note: take pictures at noon with sun overhead).

Next we have a little closeup of an area close to the hammer on the colt:


And now for the same area on the Stampede:


Can you see it from the pictures? Notice on the Colt that there are multiple hues, which are absent on the Beretta. In other words: DoubleAction was right - the Stampede is a fake. Also, I noticed around the grips where they fit to the frame the workmanship was very poor.

I did check the trigger pull on the Stampede and it was 2.25lbs. The Colt was 4.0, and my Nickel Stampede (non-Deluxe model) was 3.0. The Deluxe feels extremely light because of the trigger being so wide compared to my Colt. I would not recommend the Stampede Deluxe. Save your money and get the less expensive model. I really like my Nickel Stampede, but everyone knows that.

Next assignment: The Shroud of Turin ;D

["DoubleAction"]

Nice Looking Colt, TMan. "Real Cowboys Shoot Colts" ;D

[TMan]

Just so you don't have to take my word for it:

The Complete Book of Handguns 2005 #27 by Massad Ayoob, a magazine, has a review on the Beretta Stampede. His terminology is "faux casehardeneding on the frame The multi-colored look is nice, and a lot of people like it. The Beretta website describes this as 'Beretta color-case finish- our durable and particularly attractive interpretation of the traditional color-case look'".

It reminds me of a stupid TV commercial that advertized "genuine faux pearls". I feel sorry for the people that bought the imitation faux pearls, but since the imitation would be faux faux pearls, and a double negative, then they must be real.

So if I was to buy another Stampede it would be in Inox, but wouldn't make much sense because the only difference from my nickel one would be the finish. The Deluxe definitely had a better trigger than my Standard version.