[axeman_g]

How to tell the difference? I have not seen any mention as to how to spot models. And the gun store guys aint going to know.

Axe

[Harbinger]

It'll say "Ruger New Vaquero" on the left side of the frame.
Older model just said "Ruger Vaquero", unless there are exceptions that I'm not aware about.

[axeman_g]

well that was easy.

[f4t9r]

It'll say "Ruger New Vaquero" on the left side of the frame.
Older model just said "Ruger Vaquero", unless there are exceptions that I'm not aware about.

Got me curious, now that we know how to tell them apart
what is the diff between old and new as far as the operation of the gun or some type of added safety or ????

[HighVelocity]

I don't know what the difference is between old and new but I have a New Vaquero and it's a great shooter. My wife and I both have a lot of fun shooting the 45 Long Colt cowboy loads. It's been 100% reliable as you'd expect from a Ruger revolver and it's very accurate.

[Myself]

There is an article in this months American Rifleman. It says that Ruger reduced the dia of the cylinder and made the frame smaller to more closely match the size of the origional Colt SAA.

[MatthewVanitas]

Check out his article: http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

The second pic down shows the Vaquero and New Vaquero side-by-side. The New Vaquero is smaller in cylinder and grip. It is thus handier, but can't quite take the atomic-level loads that the heavier Vaquero frame could. Not that that matters for 95% of the shooters who will buy this revolver.

They're very easy to tell apart side-by-side, but if you see one singly, the shape of the hammer is the biggest giveaway. If I were in the market for a centerfire SA revo, New Vaquero would top my list. But I'm quite content with my .22LR Ruger Bearcat for the time being. Cheers, -MV