blackhawk or vaquero

[Soundtrackzz]

Hey guys. Ive wanted to get a single action for a long time now. Ive got some extra cash and ive decided to plan my purchase. At this time I am mainly looking at the Ruger Blackhawk and vaquero although i will certainly take other suggestions in the price range. I would like in .357 as that goes with my other two revolvers and im trying to keep ammo costs down. I intend to use this mainly as my truck/back packing gun and general working gun. So would the blackhawk or the vaquero be better to fit this role? Also does anyone know if ruger ever made a .357 blackhawk with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. i kind of feel like that 6 1/2 inch would be too unwieldy sitting down? Also i intend for all these guns to be New Model, with the transfer bar

Thanks

 

[AStone]

Up until about two months ago, I didn't think I was interested in a SA revolver.
I own two DA - 65 3" and 642 - and may eventually replace each with 686 3" and an M&P340.

But recently, on another forum, I started reading a thread about a New Vaquero.
It stimulated me to do some reading. Now, I'm hooked.

After reading about New Vaquero and Blackhawk, but having handled (let alone shot) neither,
if I were to do it tomorrow, I'd go for the Blackhawk w/ 4 5/8" barrel.

Why Blackhawk? Adjustable sights.

Here's a wiki article on the Blackhawk; this one's on Vaquero.

Here's one useful article on both, though certainly not the final word.

I'll read here with interest to learn more about the differences.

 

[Pilot]

For your uses, go for the Blackhawk. Its stronger than the New Model Vaquero and will take to hot .357 loads much better. Plus it has the adjustable sights. If your not into the looks, feel or history of an SAA "style" gun, get the Blackhawk.

 

[Virginian]

I would opt for either a New or original Vaquero in stainless steel. Handier - less likely to snag, and lots of fun. Do a little research and fine the load(s) that go right where you want them to. I find I have less trouble remembering loads to go with the fixed sight guns than remembering what I last shot in my adjustable sighted guns.

 

[BlkHawk73]

go for the Blackhawk. Its stronger than the New Model Vaquero and will take to hot .357 loads much better.

All Ruger cartridge SA's since 1973 have been New Models. (they all have the NM lockwork - transfer bar) There's the Vaquero[,/I] which is what the OP stated a choice is, and the New Vaquero. Regarding the hot .357's...so long as the loads are within SAAMI specs the NV will be fine anyways. Need more than that, go to another chambering.

 

[scottaschultz]

CDNN has (or maybe had by now) NIB 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk's (4 5/8" barrel) for $349.00! Call now! 800-588-9500

Scott

 

[420Stainless]

I have a Vaquero in .45 Colt and it is my favorite. However, I have noticed lately that milled front sights aren't working as good with my old eyes. I think I'll be going to big square notch blade sights from now on. On the old Vaquero, the sights are the only essential difference so its up to you and your eyes.

The new Vaquero feels good and I like the heft of the medium frame, but I have never shot one.

 

[jbkebert]

I like them both. The Vaquero is more suited for plinking and cowboy action shooting and similar activites. As said several times above the blackhawks adjustable sights and stronger frame make it a better choice for hunting applications. I just picked up a .357 stainless blackhawk from a THR member and am very happy with my purchase. Already owned one in .41 mag blackhawk. I sold a vaquero .45Lc because the lack of sighting system for hunting.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Fixed sights aren't a huge detriment for hunting. You find the load that shoots best and stick with it, just like you would with an adjustable sighted gun. Maybe I'm out in left field but do people really change or adjust their rear sights so often it's a huge necessity? I find what load works best and that's it. Sights stay put after that.

 

[Smokin Gator]

If the fixed sight gun is shooting low then filing the front sight down can solve your problem. But if it is shooting to the left or right you'll need to get the barrel turned to bring it to your point of aim. Some people will have their rear sights opened up wider and you can sometimes move the point of aim to the right or left at the same time without turning the barrel. I just got one of the new flat tops in 44 special. Smokin Gator

 

[ArmedBear]

For a working gun, the Blackhawk.

If the fixed sight gun is shooting low then filing the front sight down can solve your problem. But if it is shooting to the left or right you'll need to get the barrel turned to bring it to your point of aim.

Yeah, if you never want to change your load at all, and never decide to change the distance you want the gun sighted for, that will work. If you want a gun that's practical to use with different bullets, different loads, different distances, etc., adjustable sights are the only way to go.

The .357 Blackhawk will handle some of the hottest loads around without a hiccup.

There's no practical reason I can think of to get a New Vaquero except for cowboy shooting (competitive or casual).

For a serious field single action, the Blackhawk has remained the affordable first choice for a coon's age, with good reason.

WRT a 5 1/2", I once saw a 6 1/2" for sale, cheap, with a rusted muzzle. I thought about getting it, then cutting it down to 5 1/2" but someone else bought it first.

That said, a 5 1/2" is also too long for sitting down IMO, especially in a vehicle. The 4 5/8" version is probably the best choice if you want to sit down with it in a holster.

 

[Slamfire]

Had an old model Vaquero in 45 LC. It was stainless. It did not shoot to point of aim. Was able to turn the barrel, but the front sight was unevenly rounded due to polishing. It was also so smooth that sight black would not stay on.

Sent it back to Ruger explaining my problem. They replaced the front sight with a shorter sight, highly polished it into a irregular shape. Since there was not enough material to file it square, I traded it off.

Idiots !

I prefer a Blackhawk. You can adjust the sights to shoot point of aim, and the post is square.

 

[BlkHawk73]

That said, a 5 1/2" is also too long for sitting down IMO, especially in a vehicle. The 4 5/8" version is probably the best choice if you want to sit down with it in a holster.

Just like choosing the right gun for the job, you gotta chose the holster for the purpose as well. There are ones specifically for vehicle carry. If it's worth doing, why not do it right?

 

[hillbillydelux]

try both in your hands and see which one you like the feel of. I own both but I hardly ever shoot the blackhawk anymore because I like the grip on the vaquero.

Adjustable sights are nice but not necessary. The vaquero's are evry bit as accurate as the blackhawk. If the vaquero needs tweaking there will be plenty of front blade to play with.

With the .357 mag the difference in strength between the blackhawk and vaquero is not an issue. Trust me the 357 vaquero will handle any 357 mag load all day long. The issue with strength comes in to play when you get into 45 colt "ruger only loads".

 

[MovedWest]

try both in your hands and see which one you like the feel of.

This is the best advice so far. No since buying a gun you don't like the feel of and if you're heatin' up the chamber you'll want something you can hang onto comfortably.

If you still can't decide - get both!

-MW

 

[LightningMan]

hillbillydelux quote: With the .357 mag the difference in strength between the blackhawk and vaquero is not an issue. Trust me the 357 vaquero will handle any 357 mag load all day long. The issue with strength comes in to play when you get into 45 colt "ruger only loads".

I agree, as I have shot some real smoking loads through my .357 Vaquaro with no problems. LM

 

[ArmedBear]

If it's worth doing, why not do it right?

Because a 5 1/2" .357 Blackhawk is a custom proposition, and I want to be able to draw the thing?

"Doing it right" means the shorter, standard gun, to me. But to each his own.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Because a 5 1/2" .357 Blackhawk is a custom proposition, and I want to be able to draw the thing?

"Doing it right" means the shorter, standard gun, to me. But to each his own.

So being a custom proposition is an issue? In the end you'd have exactly what you want. Like I said, using the right holster is a key part too. Even a longer bbl can be drawn with the right holster. Shoter bbls certainly would be easier. Maybe look at the 3 1/2" Vaqueros made a few years back.

 

[greyling22]

there are 2 different sized blackhawk frames. the smaller (original and anniversary) feels about the same size as a colt SAA clone frame (or new vaquero). all the other blackhawk frames are bigger and feel more like the old vaquero size. Man I wish ruger would slap a mk 1, 2, 3 etc on the end of all their guns. I simplifies things.

 

[ArmedBear]

Even a longer bbl can be drawn with the right holster.

Sure. CFDA has a division for 7 1/2" barrel guns, and the competition times are not far behind 4 5/8".

However, these are not drawn from holsters that are compatible with driving a pickup truck.

So, my point is that, if I want a conventional holster that's easy and quick to draw, and also works for driving, a shorter barrel works best IMO.

I was looking for a good price on a stainless 4 5/8" .357 Blackhawk myself (I have a 6 1/2" blue one already), but stumbled on a pre-lock 4" 686 for 350 bucks, so I bought that instead.

I have a SAA clone in .357 with the 4 5/8" barrel, and it works fine for driving. I just don't think much of fixed sights unless there's a very specific reason to have them.

 

[Steve C]

Its basically a matter of personal taste. If you're a traditional type of guy who may want to dress up as a cowboy and shoot some cowboy matches then the Vaquero is for you. If you want a more modern pistol with adjustable sights with a possible future as a hunting pistol then the Blackhawk would be a better option.

I have a Blackhawk in .357 mag.

 

[1911Tuner]

Psssst. Get one or two of each. You won't be sorry...

 

[BlkHawk73]

However, these are not drawn from holsters that are compatible with driving a pickup truck.

Nope, which is why I was saying to match the holster o the task as well as the gun. There are holsters specifically for driving. One in particular I've looked at was the CCR (counter carjacking rig) from Mitch Rosen.
Have also seen set-ups where the gun, while you're driving, is in a holster off the person yet still available easily by the driver. Transition to the on-person holster when you exit.

 

[Soundtrackzz]

but do you think a 4 5/8 barrel is accurate enough for hunting medium sized game?

 

[flipajig]

I have 3 Ruger single actions one is a single 6 in 22 and 22mag
A 30 carbine blackhawk
and last but not least a super blackhawk in 44 mag
the 22 ive had for over 20 years and hasnt falild me yet.
the blackhawk is in my mind a working gun long lasting and verry durrable.