cowboy action...
- Thread starter ruger22
- Start date
Pair of 44 mag single action hand guns, your choice (requires handloads; light), and a marlin 44 mag lever carbine.
or 45 colts and a 45 colt levergun to match
or 44-40's if you've got money to burn, and of course a lever carbine to match
or 45 colts and a 45 colt levergun to match
or 44-40's if you've got money to burn, and of course a lever carbine to match
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Have seen more Ruger Vaqueros than any other ones. Of course the rich bastids shoot Colts. For the price of a colt, you can buy TWO Rugers and get change! and Rugers DON'T BREAK
current stable, 2 each
7 1/2 inch Stainless Ruger Vaqueros
Uberti Schofields
Ruger Bisleys
Merwin & Hulberts
Cimmaron Thunderers
Cimmaron Bisleys
All in .45Lc except the Merwins which are 44-40
current stable, 2 each
7 1/2 inch Stainless Ruger Vaqueros
Uberti Schofields
Ruger Bisleys
Merwin & Hulberts
Cimmaron Thunderers
Cimmaron Bisleys
All in .45Lc except the Merwins which are 44-40
Just keep in mind, if shopping for Ruger Vaqueros, that there is the "old" model which was essentially a New Model Blackhawk made with traditional, non-adjustable sights (thus having the beefier - some would even say "fat and clunky" 
- frame and gripframe) and the "new" Vaquero, which is much closer in size and feel to an 1873 Colt Single Action. The New Vaquero actually represents a reversion to the lighter Old Model Blackhawk frame - a bit confusing, eh? - to make the Vaquero more closely resemble the 1873 Colt and thus, arguably, more attractive to a wider array of cowboy action shooters. Not as robust as the heavier frame for a long steady diet of "hot" loads, but more than adequate for CAS, where you'll undoubtedly stick to relatively mild loads.
Some dealers may still have the "old" Vaquero in stock, or that is most likely what you'd be getting if buying second-hand. If possible, try both models - you may find that you prefer one over the other. I've owned Rugers, and entirely concur with other posters regarding their quality and durability for the money. However, I got rid of the one "old model" Vaquero I had, because it was heavy and bulky in the hand compared to the Uberti 1873 Colt and Uberti 1875 Remington clones I now use. I really must ask someone to let me try a New Vaquero, though: I've hefted them at the gun counter, and really like the feel ...
- frame and gripframe) and the "new" Vaquero, which is much closer in size and feel to an 1873 Colt Single Action. The New Vaquero actually represents a reversion to the lighter Old Model Blackhawk frame - a bit confusing, eh? - to make the Vaquero more closely resemble the 1873 Colt and thus, arguably, more attractive to a wider array of cowboy action shooters. Not as robust as the heavier frame for a long steady diet of "hot" loads, but more than adequate for CAS, where you'll undoubtedly stick to relatively mild loads.Some dealers may still have the "old" Vaquero in stock, or that is most likely what you'd be getting if buying second-hand. If possible, try both models - you may find that you prefer one over the other. I've owned Rugers, and entirely concur with other posters regarding their quality and durability for the money. However, I got rid of the one "old model" Vaquero I had, because it was heavy and bulky in the hand compared to the Uberti 1873 Colt and Uberti 1875 Remington clones I now use. I really must ask someone to let me try a New Vaquero, though: I've hefted them at the gun counter, and really like the feel ...
If you plan on using the guns strictly for cowboy action then Ruger Vaqueros (old or new) and the various Colt clones are all great guns. Mostly comes down to "feel" and your budget.
If you plan on shooting other games or different loads then I would look at the standard Ruger Blackhawk (.38/.357, .38-40, .41 mag (my favorite)) or Super Blackhawk (.44 Special/.44 Mag) I shoot some silhouette and play around with different loads so I prefer adjustable sights. You can still use them for Cowboy Action you just have to enter a different category (modern or one of the age based categories like 49'er or elder statesman). Guns get shot a lot in various weather conditions so my preference is stainless. Some people say they are too shiney and give off glare, I haven't found it too be a problem.
My advice would be to attend a couple of cowboy matches and ask lots of questions. I believe you will find a whole slew of cow pards willing to let you try their hardware for heft and balance, maybe even fire a round or two after the match. If you can make it to "Rustlers Roundup" in Owen Sound Aug. 12th your welcome to give mine a look see!
Most Cordially,
Major Regret
SASS #57800
TCBH #2
If you plan on shooting other games or different loads then I would look at the standard Ruger Blackhawk (.38/.357, .38-40, .41 mag (my favorite)) or Super Blackhawk (.44 Special/.44 Mag) I shoot some silhouette and play around with different loads so I prefer adjustable sights. You can still use them for Cowboy Action you just have to enter a different category (modern or one of the age based categories like 49'er or elder statesman). Guns get shot a lot in various weather conditions so my preference is stainless. Some people say they are too shiney and give off glare, I haven't found it too be a problem.
My advice would be to attend a couple of cowboy matches and ask lots of questions. I believe you will find a whole slew of cow pards willing to let you try their hardware for heft and balance, maybe even fire a round or two after the match. If you can make it to "Rustlers Roundup" in Owen Sound Aug. 12th your welcome to give mine a look see!
Most Cordially,
Major Regret
SASS #57800
TCBH #2
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Grant
Have you finaly got a pocket watch to go with that kit?
Have you finaly got a pocket watch to go with that kit?
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Vaqueros
The reason I got the stainless ones was because "Blackstones Law Library" can be polished off the barrel. A blued gun would require refinishing.
Nickeled revolvers were popular at that time because of the BP fouling, which was easier to clean off.
The reason I got the stainless ones was because "Blackstones Law Library" can be polished off the barrel. A blued gun would require refinishing.
Nickeled revolvers were popular at that time because of the BP fouling, which was easier to clean off.
thanks for all the info guys...
I bought the new vaquero in 357 and 4 5/8 barrel, blued.
I really enjoy shoothing it.
I now would like a blackhawk, Especially a flattop in 357.
I think they are not available now, only 2nd hand.
I tried one in 44 mag and factory loads and did not enjoy it. Or would I shoot it well.
I bought the new vaquero in 357 and 4 5/8 barrel, blued.
I really enjoy shoothing it.
I now would like a blackhawk, Especially a flattop in 357.
I think they are not available now, only 2nd hand.
I tried one in 44 mag and factory loads and did not enjoy it. Or would I shoot it well.
ruger22 said:
I think the new Vaquero in .357 Mag is a good choice... When I shot Cowboy Action my combo was a 2nd gen Colt SAA 4 5/8" in .357 along with a Winchester trapper and an old Stevens 311 double brl 12 ga.
Have fun with it!
Grant, next time Jonathan shoots with us, ask him to show you his Vaqueros, he has 1 new and one old. The Vaqueros are great handguns for Cowboy action. I've been shooting 2x .44 Magnum Vaqueros (4 5/8") for about 9 years now. I've recently added a .357 Vaquero to the mix, just cause I could!
I have 2 5 1/2" s/s Ruger Bisley Vaquero's in 45 Colt that I use for CAS but I also have them on my ATC permit so wanted guns that could handle the super high pressure Ruger loads eg; 330gr hard casts @ 1280fps.
If I were to start again and was only using them for CAS I would buy s/s 4 5/8" barreled Ruger New Model Vaquero's in 45 Colt because they balance perfectly with that barrel length.
I am planning on getting my wife an ATC permit in the next couple of years and one of these New Model Vaquero's with 300gr XTP's or 300gr hard cast's @ about 950fps would be the load that I would give her for bush/protection carry.
At the Mission Rod and Gun club (main web site) www.missionrodandgun.com
(CAS page) http://www.missionrodandgun.com/disciplines/Frontier/default_frontier.htm CAS is shot from early spring March 5 to late fall Nov 12 you can also go to the club any time that it is open and practice on your own time if you are a member.
If I were to start again and was only using them for CAS I would buy s/s 4 5/8" barreled Ruger New Model Vaquero's in 45 Colt because they balance perfectly with that barrel length.
I am planning on getting my wife an ATC permit in the next couple of years and one of these New Model Vaquero's with 300gr XTP's or 300gr hard cast's @ about 950fps would be the load that I would give her for bush/protection carry.
At the Mission Rod and Gun club (main web site) www.missionrodandgun.com
(CAS page) http://www.missionrodandgun.com/disciplines/Frontier/default_frontier.htm CAS is shot from early spring March 5 to late fall Nov 12 you can also go to the club any time that it is open and practice on your own time if you are a member.
Lawrence - I'm 'way ahead of you - I already bought a New Vaquero in .45 Colt - Bob Gibson brought it down when he came to the second day of our shoot, and I was using it on Sunday!
Ruger22: WE have two major 2-day shoots in Medicine Hat (May and October long weekends) and this was our first year trying to have monthly Sunday afternoon matches - starting in April. (However, some really lousy weather, and a death in my family, torpedoed 3 of those.) Tompkins gun club - about an hour and 15 minutes east of us in Sask - have an indoor range and are going to be holding CAS matches October through March ...
Ruger22: WE have two major 2-day shoots in Medicine Hat (May and October long weekends) and this was our first year trying to have monthly Sunday afternoon matches - starting in April. (However, some really lousy weather, and a death in my family, torpedoed 3 of those.) Tompkins gun club - about an hour and 15 minutes east of us in Sask - have an indoor range and are going to be holding CAS matches October through March ...
The next match in Tompkins is on 28 October. Bruce Martin of Plains Ammunition, http://www.glcn.com/town/business/plains/plains.htm has requested that you phone him 3 days ahead of time to verify a match is on. With his indoor matches, you only require your handguns and pistol caliber rifles as shotguns can't be fired on the range. Ruger 22, pm me, I'm always looking for someone to split the gas with. Geez Grant, I remember this day out at Ellis Ranch........................ where you said you'd never buy a Vaquero
Lawrence: If I said that, it would have been to the effect that I wouldn't buy another Vaquero (meaning the "Old Vaquero" specifically, which of course was all that existed then) having owned two of them before that and having gotten rid of both because I didn't like their "clunkiness" (not because I doubted their quality.)
You gotta go back and re-read my first post in this thread - - the "New Vaquero" is another kettle of fish entirely, because it is sized and weighs much more like an original Colt (and the clones therof) ... which is why I now have one! So there ... !
You gotta go back and re-read my first post in this thread -
- the "New Vaquero" is another kettle of fish entirely, because it is sized and weighs much more like an original Colt (and the clones therof) ... which is why I now have one! So there ... ! 
