Thinking of selling my PPK and buying a Vaquero...

[Prepster]

Am I misguided in wanting to do this? I'll give you guys a little background.

In Vermont, half the time it's cold enough that you can conceal anything you want. In the summer, I tend to open carry anyway. I've been shooting more revolvers lately and am now starting to perfer them over auto-loaders, and I'm pretty decent with SAAs of various colors. Also, I'm looking to get into SASS-style shooting.

The trouble is that I'm a broke college student and the only way I can afford a Vaquero is to sell one of my other guns, and the PPK seems like it fills a niche that I don't need. However, I'm hesitant to give up my one and only "pocket" piece, which does see some practical use.

So, collective brain of THR: what say you?

[mgregg85]

I always feel that if I sell a gun I will later regret it but in your case I dont know. I think the walther PPK is way to heavy to be a 'pocket piece' so I would say sell it and get yourself a nice vaquero.

[PRM]

mgregg85 stated it well. I have sold several guns that I wished I had back. In your case, PPKs are not that rare and neither are the Rugers - You could replace either of them at any point fairly easy. I would buy what I liked.

[Prepster]

Thanks for the replies mgregg85 and PRM

I think I'm going to go for it, as my non-internet friends have generally said the same things you guys did. :) I'll be sure to post a range report when I do the trade (and when I actually get to the range, which may be an additional week or two :()

[Rexster]

If the PPK is a family heirloom, or may become one someday, keep it. Otherwise, trade it. A PPK is not at the top of the list of really good, modern pocket pistols. Do be careful, though; some PPK pistols are very desirable collector's pieces, while others, such as the ones made in the USA for Interarms, are of so-so value. Don't get ripped off in your trade.

The thing I don't like about the PPK is that ones made before the S&W era are not truly drop-safe unless the safety is "on," and I don't like safety levers that work the opposite of the 1911 safety, to which I am accustomed.

[Rexster]

BTW, there are great concealment rigs for single action sixguns. Search for Bob Mernickle holsters, look at Simplyrugged.com, and the Summer Special at Miltsparks.com. The larger-framed Vaquero is concealable, and the slightly smaller, currently-produced New Vaquero is a sweet sixgun for carry.

[Prepster]

Rexster, did I mention I was broke? You're not helping the situation ;).

That Mernickle concealment rig sure does look sweet.

EDIT: Also, my PPK is a S+W made one, not too much value/heirloom potential involved.

[Rexster]

I might be able to help with the holster. Let me know which Vaquero you get, the New Vaquero, or the so-called "old" Vaquero.The New Vaquero will fit SAA holsters.

[Floppy_D]

I don't have room, time or $$$ for guns I don't use. If I notice something sitting around, it goes. If you aren't attatched to the PPK, go for the Vaquero. If it's replaceable, go for it.

[Claude Clay]

SASS/CASS need 2 revolvers (used ruger 2nd generation @$250 each) a pistol chambered rifle/carbine (~250 puma) and a dbl bbl scatter gun (250 stoger or a 1897 win pump 450+). accessories another 100+. reloading helps to make it affordable. 45LC or 357--its what makes you happy that counts. gotta start somewhere so one vaquero and a nice cowboy holster is a first step.
a pp/k that runs is good--you can sell it without guilt.

[searcher451]

Ran into a guy at work the other day who mentioned that he was into Brownings and knew that I am fond of Walthers. "Much as I like the Brownings," he said, "I had a PPK when I was in college but sold it to finance something or other that I can't even remember now. I've thought about that gun a lot through the years and wish I had never gotten ride of it."

The bottom line: Never, ever, sell a gun. It will come back to haunt you, somewhere along the line.

[Mat, not doormat]

Broke and SASS do not go well together.

However, if you have money, and start shooting SASS, you may soon be broke.

My equipment list:

Rifle: Uberti 1866 Short Rifle, .38 Spl, with 3rd gen short stroke by Colt McAllister $1400

Pistols: 50th Anniversery Ruger Blackhawks, .357/.38, action work, including removing transfer bars and adding half cocks by Jimmy Spurs $1800

Shotgun: Stoeger Coach Supreme, action work by Lassiter, $500

Leather: modified version of the Ol' Short Tom Rig, and Grabber shotshell belt by Murphy's Custom Gunleather: $768

Total, not including boots, hat, clothes: $4468

It can be done for less, obviously, but can cost more in the long run. The way I did it, I started off cheap, and kept upgrading, trying to get equipment that was "good enough." Eventually I basically said "Pi$$ on it," and went for the best I could get. Results are that I'm now on my 4th set of pistols, 3rd rifle, 4th shotgun, and 5th set of leather. I'm not even going to attempt to enumerate the dollars spent getting here.

As for toting that Vaq around, there are pluses and minuses. They're fast and easy to shoot, if you know how. They generally come in fairly potent calibers, starting at .357 Mag, and going up thru .45 Colt to .44 Mag. The downsides are that they are bulky and heavy compared to the payload, and are slow to reload after the first 5 or 6 shots.

But, ya pays your money, and you has your fun. A single action might be "good enough," for defensive purposes. See sig for "Good enough."

~~~Mat

[Mad Magyar]

I can afford a Vaquero is to sell one of my other guns, and the PPK seems like it fills a niche that I don't need.
BLASPHEMY!:D Comparing Ruger to Walther is like comparing, oh well, do what's best in your situation...:)

[owlhoot]

Go for the Ruger. I suggest .357 caliber and a 4.75" barrel.

[Colt46]

Big difference in the Vaquero/New Vaquero. The Vaquero is just a Blackhawk without the adjustable sights. The New version is scaled down to the Colt SAA size and is easier to carry, though not as strong.
I prefer the .45 colt, but it gets expensive to feed if you don't reload. The .357 is cheaper to get and not a bad caliber to have in a single action.

[Prepster]

Hey guys, I took the plunge and bought a New Vaquero! :cool: Based on the response here and among my buddies in Burlington. I have it in .45 colt with a 4 3/4 in. bbl and the blue/fake case color finish.

It seems to be quite well made indeed. The action is nice and tight, it fits my hand well and points pretty naturally. Now to get to the range, which I hope will be this weekend.

Thanks everybody for your feedback, you guys helped quite a bit. :)

[the foot]

Great Choice, Prepster! My most accurate handgun is my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

I reload, and recommend you do too if the money's tight.

The Vaquero isn't a pocket gun, but you can still conceal carry the Ruger under all those clothes ya'll need to wear up there in Vermont to keep from freezing.

[contenderman]

Your talking a "personal" decision, which can be rationalized either way.

Maybe it would be more prudent to wait until your out of school, working, and have a little more "disposable" income. Then you can buy your SA and you've still got you little pocket pistol.

[Scratchy]

Cowboy guns are always gonna be cooler than some pocket pistol.