Ruger Vaquero (original); Worth, Desirable?

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nitro-express

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I've had this one for a few years. I shoot cowboy action and my preference has changed. I prefer the 5 1/2" cowboy guns.

It's a 44 Mag, 1997 production, 7 1/2" barrel, stainless. I bought it from a fellow Cowboy when I was getting into CAS.

It has a set of Wolff springs, a Super Blackhawk hammer, and a Belt Mountain pin.

Seriously considering selling it but not sure if there is a market for the bigger Vaqueros, or what they are selling for.

I'm thinking I should I put all the original parts back into it? I'm thinking most people want them stock, and do their own personal upgrades. I think I still have the original black plastic grips.

Nitro
 
Last year I paid $1,400 for 2x Original Vaqueros with 4.62" barrels in .45LC. These firearms have held their value because of their durability (One of my .44 Mag Original Vaqueros put 20,000 rds down range before the transfer bar broke) and their ability to handle full service loads.
 
It is definitely worth more if you include the original hammer and grips even if you don't swap everything back prior to sale. Nice revolver. I like the older gen 44s better than the newer 45s and 357s.
 
My solicited 2c worth on the matter....

The 1st gen Vaqueros were larger/heavier than a Colt clone in just about every spec.
This made them unnecessarily heavy, clunky and unwieldy.

Ruger wisely updated the Vaquero to very close to Colt clone specs in size/weight and ergos.
the current version vaquero is arguably superior in every way unless one has very large hands and or desires the extra weight/size for some reason.
Another reason to prefer the 1st gen Vaquero would be if shooting a lot of full house 44mag loads and or hotrodded 45colt. Here the extra weight and bigger grip may be beneficial.

I would peg a reasonable value on a 1st gen Vaquero around $500.


I think a 1st gen Vaquero in either 44 or 45 would make an ideal wilderness carry pistol....Reliable, tough, weatherproof, and very smooth/snag proof ( very important in a carry pistol).....superior to a double action revolver IMO.


I have several Vaqueros in my collection both 1st and 2nd gen.
Some in pairs.
I prefer the 2nd gen overwhelmingly....If the opportunity to wilderness carry afforded itself I would use my 1st gen stainless 44mag short barrel in that role.
 
terez said:
My solicited 2c worth on the matter....

The 1st gen Vaqueros were larger/heavier than a Colt clone in just about every spec.
This made them unnecessarily heavy, clunky and unwieldy.

Ruger wisely updated the Vaquero to very close to Colt clone specs in size/weight and ergos.
the current version vaquero is arguably superior in every way unless one has very large hands and or desires the extra weight/size for some reason.
Another reason to prefer the 1st gen Vaquero would be if shooting a lot of full house 44mag loads and or hotrodded 45colt. Here the extra weight and bigger grip may be beneficial.

I would peg a reasonable value on a 1st gen Vaquero around $500.


I think a 1st gen Vaquero in either 44 or 45 would make an ideal wilderness carry pistol....Reliable, tough, weatherproof, and very smooth/snag proof ( very important in a carry pistol).....superior to a double action revolver IMO.


I have several Vaqueros in my collection both 1st and 2nd gen.
Some in pairs.
I prefer the 2nd gen overwhelmingly....If the opportunity to wilderness carry afforded itself I would use my 1st gen stainless 44mag short barrel in that role.
Click to expand...

Yes it would be a nice wilderness carry gun.

Ruger also makes a new large frame 44mag Vaquero with a 5.5" barrel. If it was a 4.62", I'd pick one up in a heart beat
 
I have an early model, 5 1/2" Vaquero in 45LC I picked up years ago at a small shop in Naniamo. More recently I acquired a SS 4 5/8" Ruger convertible in 45LC/45ACP that gets the bulk of my 45LC shooting. Still, very fond of the old 5 1/2" Vaquero, fond enough that I had a local friend and leather worker make me up a replica of a John Wayne gun belt for it :d . When taking the Vaquero out now to burn a bit of powder, ;) I'm sure I hear Marty Robins singing "Big Iron" in the background.
 
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