Ruger Vaquero?
- Thread starter major519
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southwest maddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Narrow Ranch
I have two Vaqueros in .45 LC, a 4 3/4" and a 5 1/2". I won quite a few competions with them over the years. They are solid. I did have a little trouble with high primers at first as I was new to hand loading but I can't blame that on the revolvers. Thousands of rounds later they still look new. I would buy one again for CAS without hesitation.
All good, no bad and the New Vaqueros have no ugly! I have one in .45 Colt and have pumped a couple thousand rounds through it without a hitch. I asked for advice from all the CAS shooters in my club and every single one of them recomended I get New Vaqueros for CAS, even those who don't shoot them.
By the way, there is a big difference between a Vaquero and a New Vaquero. Both are great guns but be aware that the New Vaquero is lighter framed and more alike in feel to an actual Colt SA.
I really appreciate the responses.
I am at the "looking" stage and want to purchase something that I will be pleased with. I have looked at the various Uberti copies and such but price and quality wise I really think that the Ruger would be a more solid investment.
Suprizingly, the Ruger is close to the Uberti in price, at least at EE. The other way I see it esp in our economy is to at least buy a N.American made item rather than an overseas import.
Nest question; blue casehardened or stainless? Rubber, walnut, sim ivory or ????
I am at the "looking" stage and want to purchase something that I will be pleased with. I have looked at the various Uberti copies and such but price and quality wise I really think that the Ruger would be a more solid investment.
Suprizingly, the Ruger is close to the Uberti in price, at least at EE. The other way I see it esp in our economy is to at least buy a N.American made item rather than an overseas import.
Nest question; blue casehardened or stainless? Rubber, walnut, sim ivory or ????
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a new one.
Was running lead 38s through it and the action started squeaking and got dirty real fast. Have since stuck to copper washed/jacketed.
And accurate. 357 with 4 and 5/8th barrel.
Was running lead 38s through it and the action started squeaking and got dirty real fast. Have since stuck to copper washed/jacketed.
And accurate. 357 with 4 and 5/8th barrel.
It is hard to beat Rugers for tough and well-made handguns.....
Just be aware, if you are contemplating buying used revolvers, that the currently-produced "New Vaquero" is rather different in size from the original model of Vaquero - i.e. smaller. When the Vaquero was first introduced, the New Model Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk were the only centerfire single-action revolver models being produced by Ruger, and the Vaquero was simply the rather beefy New Model Blackhawk with the sights changed to the old-fashioned ColtSAA-type. But that resulted in a considerably bulkier - albeit very strong - revolver frame compared with an original Colt SAA, or any of the various Italian clones of the Colt, such as the Ubertis.
When it became apparent that the biggest market for single-action revolvers had become Cowboy Action shooters, most of whom had a preference for the Colt SAA-sized pistols, Ruger came full circle and revived their original Blackhawk frame (which was very close to the Colt SAA) to begin production of the "New Vaquero", and then discontinued production of the original Vaquero model.
So you need to decide which size you prefer and clarify whether any used Ruger you might buy is a "Vaquero" or a "New Vaquero" ..... I had Vaquero revolvers at one time and didn't like them - not because they weren't well-made and tough, but because I found the grip just too bulky for comfort for this type of action shooting. (Others prefer it, mind you ....) So, I went to Uberti SAAColt and 1875 Remington clones, which I used for years. However, since the advent of the New Vaquero I have acquired a pair of those, and they have become my primary CAS revolvers ....
(I am a fan of the .45 Colt cartridge, by the way, which all of my CAS revolvers and lever guns have been chambered for ....)
Just be aware, if you are contemplating buying used revolvers, that the currently-produced "New Vaquero" is rather different in size from the original model of Vaquero - i.e. smaller. When the Vaquero was first introduced, the New Model Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk were the only centerfire single-action revolver models being produced by Ruger, and the Vaquero was simply the rather beefy New Model Blackhawk with the sights changed to the old-fashioned ColtSAA-type. But that resulted in a considerably bulkier - albeit very strong - revolver frame compared with an original Colt SAA, or any of the various Italian clones of the Colt, such as the Ubertis.
When it became apparent that the biggest market for single-action revolvers had become Cowboy Action shooters, most of whom had a preference for the Colt SAA-sized pistols, Ruger came full circle and revived their original Blackhawk frame (which was very close to the Colt SAA) to begin production of the "New Vaquero", and then discontinued production of the original Vaquero model.
So you need to decide which size you prefer and clarify whether any used Ruger you might buy is a "Vaquero" or a "New Vaquero" ..... I had Vaquero revolvers at one time and didn't like them - not because they weren't well-made and tough, but because I found the grip just too bulky for comfort for this type of action shooting. (Others prefer it, mind you ....) So, I went to Uberti SAAColt and 1875 Remington clones, which I used for years. However, since the advent of the New Vaquero I have acquired a pair of those, and they have become my primary CAS revolvers ....
(I am a fan of the .45 Colt cartridge, by the way, which all of my CAS revolvers and lever guns have been chambered for ....)
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Buffalo Creek Law Dog
Regular
I have a pair of New Vaqueros in .357 that I use for Cowboy Shooting. I didn't like the gun fighter grips that they come with so I changed them to polymer faux ivory. The Rugers are built like a tank. You know that you have a gun in your hand when you have a Ruger.
I also have a pair of Piettas that I use periodically, depending on what western character I'm portraying at the time.
I also have a pair of Piettas that I use periodically, depending on what western character I'm portraying at the time.
Thanks again for the help guys, keep the tips coming...
Yes Grant, I am referring to the New Vaquero and not the original Vaquero. I think that if I were looking for a 44 I would go Blackhawk etc.
Who carries the NMVs here in Canada? So far I have only seen a couple dealers and of course like to shop around for the best price.
What do most of you use for CAS? 5-1/2" bbls?
Yes Grant, I am referring to the New Vaquero and not the original Vaquero. I think that if I were looking for a 44 I would go Blackhawk etc.
Who carries the NMVs here in Canada? So far I have only seen a couple dealers and of course like to shop around for the best price.
What do most of you use for CAS? 5-1/2" bbls?
whenindoubtfixit
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Bantario
Justed talked to Doc Rowland about getting left side stainless 4 5/8". He's not the cheapest but you'd be hard pressed to find someone nicer to deal with. He's answered a lot questions I had.
I dealt with Doc Rowland twice now and he is great to work with and highly recomend him. Ellwood Epps and Wholesale sports are also good to deal with. Other dealers I know of but have't dealt with are P&D, Frontier Firearms, Reliable Gun, SHooters Choice and Lever Arms. There are more, Ruger is sold by a lot of dealers. If their pricing is correct, Lever Arms still has some New Vaqueros at 2007 prices.
For CAS barrel length choice is a combination of personal preference, skill and character fit. I shoot a 7 1/2" Ruger Bisley in cross draw and a 4 5/8" New Vaquero on the side. This summer the Bisley might get changed to a 4 5/8" New Vaquero but then again maybe not
Everyone recomended 5 1/2" to me but I'm a bit contrary so didn't go that direction. For speed and pointability 4 5/8" is the best but also the hardest to shoot accurately. 7 1/2" is slower to get on point but much easier to shoot accurately. Personally, I don't like the 5 1/2" length as it doesn't seem to balance right for me.
At the end of the day, they are all good, get what ever tickles your fancy, but people do seem to lean towards the shorter barrel lengths.
For CAS barrel length choice is a combination of personal preference, skill and character fit. I shoot a 7 1/2" Ruger Bisley in cross draw and a 4 5/8" New Vaquero on the side. This summer the Bisley might get changed to a 4 5/8" New Vaquero but then again maybe not
Everyone recomended 5 1/2" to me but I'm a bit contrary so didn't go that direction. For speed and pointability 4 5/8" is the best but also the hardest to shoot accurately. 7 1/2" is slower to get on point but much easier to shoot accurately. Personally, I don't like the 5 1/2" length as it doesn't seem to balance right for me.
At the end of the day, they are all good, get what ever tickles your fancy, but people do seem to lean towards the shorter barrel lengths.
I bought mine from reliable cause he's a sponsor. Wholesale sports is cheaper but I would rather cut off a nut than deal with them. I have also dealt with Doc Rowland and would have no hesitation in buying from either of those two again. Like mdragon said the shorter barrels are quicker to draw and the longer barrels have a longer sighting plane. The longer plane makes sighting easier which increases accuracy. People recommend the 51/2 cause its a compromise of the two. Me I like the 4 inch stuff
I bought my Colt.45 from Doc Rowland too and I can give to him an "A" plus. Great person to deal and talk to.
BTW, talking about Vaquero... I want so bad to find one but not the New Vaquero, but the old model Vaquero (3 screws). I don't care how bad is the shape of the gun, but it has to be an old model Vaquero.
BTW, talking about Vaquero... I want so bad to find one but not the New Vaquero, but the old model Vaquero (3 screws). I don't care how bad is the shape of the gun, but it has to be an old model Vaquero.
Sorry, but you are mixing up your Ruger terminology.
3 screws and 2 screws are the difference between the original Blackhawk and the New Model Blackhawk design, circa 1973.
To quote that bastion of eraseable, questionable facts called Wikipedia:
"Two major variants of Vaqueros exist. The "Old Vaquero" was marketed from 1993 until 2005, and was slightly larger than the Colt Single Action Army. The New Vaquero, produced from 2005 to the present is closer to the dimensions of the Single Action Army"
The "Old Vaquero" was never called that; its simply a Vaquero, and that's what will be printed on the frame. It was on a New Model Blackhawk frame, and hence 2 screws. But yes, it helps describing it as "old Vaquero" to ensure you are talking apples to apples with someone.
New Vaquero is on a smaller and weaker frame, but is the current production gun. Still, it is a "2 screw" as well.
Check EE and some of the board dealers. Vaqueros can be had, just have to have patience. Bisley Vaqueros, however, are like hens teeth...
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