Difference between New and Old model Vaquero?

[International Harvester]

What's the difference? Do either of them come in .44 Rem Mag? How do they compare quality wise with the Uberti cattleman? Thinking of trading my cattleman for a vaquero so looking for some knowledgable Ruger fans to shed some light. Thanks

IH

 

[ruffbird]

The original vaquero is basiclly a Black Hawk with fixed sights.
The NEW Vaquero is built on the smaller sized frame like the colt.
The latest style were introduced in 2005 for the cowboy action shooters.
Aparently they were asking Ruger for this smaller frame sized cowboy gun for years.

Also the New Vaquero isn't chambered in .44 mag,.....where as the original Vaquero is.

Here is a good photo of the two frame sizes so you can compare....

I personally like the original Vaquero (1993-2004) as they will take the heavier loads like the .44 magnum. Nothing wrong with the other, I just don't have use for one because I'm not a cowboy shooter.....

My 1'st ORIGINAL Vaquero in .44 mag.....

My 2'nd & favorite ORIGINAL .44 mag. vaquero....

Hope this helps!

 

[Garand]

Go with an original Vaquero! One of my .44 mags put 20,000 rds of Cowboy loads down range before the transfer bar broke. It was a 10 minute repair job when the new part came in. They a very durable and good quality for the money spent. I have them in both .357 & .44 Mag

Shot with FinePix E550 at 2008-05-17

 

[International Harvester]

Thanks for the info. My only experience with hand guns is the .45 LC. If I wanted a gun with a little more power would I be better off with the .357 or the .44. Does the 357 offer a flatter, longer distance shot?

 

[HFreedman]

I have the new vaquero in .45 LC and love it! Very durable, very accurate.
My only complaint is the grips - they are rough on the hands, however, such an easy swap out.

Feels very close to my original Colt SAA.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I have an older Vaquero in 45LC and it is a fun thing to shoot, however, with the playing around with a large variety of loads, I may try and pick up a Blackhawk. I like the idea of adjustable sights for my kind of shooting.

 

[crazy_davey]

I like the idea of adjustable sights for my kind of shooting.

Yours are adjustable John, its called a file . Better git it right the first time though

 

[ruffbird]

If you reload your own ammo, the .45 colt can be loaded up for the LARGER frame rugers to give hitting power like the .44 mag. Lots of folks do this but myself, I keep my .45's for fun shooting lower pressure ammo.

Have you considerd a good "Super Black Hawk"? They come only in .44 mag calibre! They come in all these barrel lengths & a 10-1/2" too.

Again if you reload you can tailor your ammo to fire gentle or Hunting type loads.

A good .357 magnum is a great calibre, & it would be a good choice as well depending on what you want to do.

I look at it like this, get the one you like first, then later you can always pick up those others you would like to have. Good luck choosing!

 

[t-star]

Thanks for the info. My only experience with hand guns is the .45 LC. If I wanted a gun with a little more power would I be better off with the .357 or the .44. Does the 357 offer a flatter, longer distance shot?

better off- i would HARDLY think so- there's SPECIAL loads for the 45 colt in the back of my speer that are for RUGER BLACKHAWK AND CONTENDER ONLY- these equal 44 magnum loads- in some cases exceed-the 357 is a GIANT step BACKWARDS in terms of performance, provided you use these loads

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Yours are adjustable John, its called a file . Better git it right the first time though

I did consider that option but the minute I do I know some new bullet and load will come to light. At a recent gun show there was a pair of Ruger Blackhawks in 45LC and both with 4 5/8" barrels. I left before I was overcome by 'need'.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

If you reload your own ammo, the .45 colt can be loaded up for the LARGER frame rugers to give hitting power like the .44 mag. Lots of folks do this but myself, I keep my .45's for fun shooting lower pressure ammo.

Have you considerd a good "Super Black Hawk"? They come only in .44 mag calibre! They come in all these barrel lengths & a 10-1/2" too.

Again if you reload you can tailor your ammo to fire gentle or Hunting type loads.

A good .357 magnum is a great calibre, & it would be a good choice as well depending on what you want to do.

I look at it like this, get the one you like first, then later you can always pick up those others you would like to have. Good luck choosing!

Very nice ruffbird, an impressive collection in comparison to my three. Soon to be four if I can talk my buddy out of his 30 M1 Blackhawk.