[Dain Bramage]

I'm a DA revolver guy, but I was thinking about purchasing a Ruger .357 Anniversary Flattop or possibly even the .357 and .44 mag set for Christmas. I had some concerns about the SAA-style frame in a magnum loading, so I rented the closest thing I could find locally.

I just had the chance to fire a .357 New Vaquero on black Friday (at Wade's in Bellevue, WA) and I was pleasantly surprised. The fit and finish were excellent and the SA trigger was much better than I expected. I had some knuckle rap until I changed to a pinkie-under grip, which was surprisingly comfortable. The reach to the hammer was no problem. In fact, the only thing I didn't like about it was the accuracy.

I was stringing 4"-5" groups at 25yds from a bench rest. I usually get easy 2" groups with my Dan Wesson, and sub-2" with my Smith Model 17. So my question is, how do the New Vaquero's compare to the Flattops? Are they machined the same way? Was it something I was doing? I was shooting the range's Magtech 158g SJSP, which I've found to be dependable fodder. The new Flattop(s) would definitely be shooters, for targets and hunting. I don't like inaccurate guns.

[Jim March]

OK, here's the good news.

The New Vaq in 357 and the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk in 357 are the same gun. The only difference is the finish, front sight and topstrap. All other parts are the same, built on the same assembly lines. Quality control on these is often noted as being excellent by any standard.

When I upgraded the sights on my New Vaq I dropped my groups significantly. The limiting factor wasn't the gun, it was the "cowboy style" sights.

The cylinders are made on a new process (for Ruger SAs anyhow) where the cylinder bores are done one at a time in sequence with the same drill bit. The larger-frame SAs get their cylinders bored six-at-once so we sometimes see variances between bores. Not on the mid-frames.

The 50th 357 is the only post-1973 "Blackhawk" built on a mid-frame like the New Vaq. All other post-'73 Blackhawks are built on the large frame - including the 44Mag 50th anniversary Blackhawk.

The mid-frames can take a lot of parts off of their large-frame cousins: grip frames, hammers, triggers, pawls, transfer bars, ejector parts and allegedly even barrels. A few brave soles have slapped .41cal barrels on from take-off Blackhawks and reamed 357 cylinders to 41Magnum. You end up with a bullet weight limit due to length issues I believe...

My New Vaq 357 has upgraded sights (custom dovetailed front, hogged out rear channel to match) and a SuperBlackHawk hammer.

[P. Plainsman]

Dain, I took a New Vaq .357 for a rental spin the other day and got pretty lousy groups as well. Almost all of my revolver experience is with double action sixguns -- sounds like the same's true for you.

I think "lock time" is a big culprit -- dedicated single action revolvers typically have a longer hammer fall than DAs cocked and fired single action. If you're not used to the distinctive skills and quirks for shooting SAs, you won't do as well with them.

Frankly, with a S&W or Ruger DA revolver I can even produce better groups shooting double action than I can with most SA revolvers I've tried. Doesn't (necessarily) mean the SAs were inaccurate, though. It means I need practice.

[foghornl]

I have a fixed-sight .357 Vaquero and the adjustable sight 50th Year .357 Blackhawk. I find that I shoot the Blackhawk better mainly (I believe) due to the Blackhawk having better sights. I have filed out the rear sight notch on the Vaq some, so that makes it a bit better for me.

My 55+ year old tri-focused eyes don't do real well with small sights. May also have to do with the fact that the BH is the dark blue finish, while the Vaq is Glossy Stainless.

[Ala Dan]

I have a unfired NIB Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk .357 magnum that is
emaculate in every respect. I just need time to take it for its maiden voyage~! ;)

[mavracer]

since they are basically the same gun inherant accuracy is the same,although the sights make a big difference.In my hands (good shot with great eyesight) theres not much difference in group size.but put them in my fathers hands (77 year old eyes that were not that good to start,I got mom's eyesight) and he'll shoot rings around the BH groups with the VAQ (literally a group with the BH and all around the place with the Vaq

[Dain Bramage]

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like the inherent accuracy is good. Some practice on my part and the improved Blackhawk sights should make for better shooting. I'm strongly leaning toward getting the set.