Ruger New Vaquero

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TomJ

TomJ

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I've been looking for a revolver chambered in 45LC to replace a S&W Mountain Gun I gave to my oldest son. A LGS has a used 45 LC Ruger New Vaquero with a 3.75 inch barrel for $740. It looks like a new gun and if it's been shot, it hasn't been shot much. I'd really like another Mountain Gun but they're hard to find and are expensive when I do come across them. This is a want, not a need and I'm wondering if there's a better option in that caliber or if I should grab this one while it's available.
 
I have one off those as well as a 4 5/8” model and I’m pleased with them. The .45 Colt is a great round. When you say “Mountain Gun”, I take that to mean for close up protection when hunting. If that’s the case, for standard ammo, a double action 44 magnum might be a good option. You can load up a 45 Colt a little, but the New Vaquero is not rated for +P ammo or above.

The original Vaquero (if you can find one) will handle the hotter rounds.
 
Nice revolver and I’m sure your son appreciates that gift. I guess the use question still remains as the two are very different revolvers and depending on the use, either could be a superior choice.

As Ontarget said, if you’re ok with single action and standard loads, the New Vaquero is a good choice. I like mine. I did put a Wolff Springs kit in them to slick the actions up a bit and lighten the trigger and hammer pull.
 
It would primarily be used as a range gun. I have a Ruger Wrangler, have shot SA quite a bit and like shooting it as a change from the semi automatics I primarily shoot. We hike quite a bit in different parts of the country and I'm pretty well set with woods guns, but I wouldn't rule it out for that use.
 
I have had one of the New Vaqueros in 45 Colt for several years now.
It is one of my favorites.
I also love single actions.

If you like the feel and looks of the 3.75 barrel, go ahead and grab it.

These things are getting harder to find and more expensive by the day.

It is an easy round to load for with lots of options.

Keep an eye on the Starline site. They are taking back orders on brass fairly regularly.
 
Mountain gun, for reference. I won’t get rid of this one. I’ve made similar searches for a 4” double action good for mid 20k psi loads. Ruger Redhawk 4.2” is the only other option. But the Smith MG is more accurate. Maybe a new production Anaconda if Colt gets around to chambering them in 45 Colt.

185 grain to 335 grain, left to right.

index.php
 
dredd said:
Enabler Alert!!!
Enabler Alert!!!
:rofl:

I just wish $150 is all that you people have cost me! LOL
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, Pat Riot is a distinguished member of Enablers Unanimous. ;)

I bought a 4 5/8” .45 Colt off Gun Broker, picked it up on Tuesday and shot it today. The short barrel makes it portable for a big bore, so the slightly smaller New Vaquero should be a great packin’ gun.

Even at standard pressure velocities, a 255 gr swc from a short barrelled New Vaquero will pack plenty of punch should you need it.

Let us know if you pick it up! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
dredd said:
Enabler Alert!!!
Enabler Alert!!!
:rofl:
Click to expand...

You say that like it’s a bad thing. :D


Riomouse911 said:
Oh yeah, Pat Riot is a distinguished member of Enablers Unanimous. ;)
Click to expand...
Thank you. It’s good to be a part of such an esteemed group of individuals. Just trying to do my part for truth, justice and the American Way…
What’s that?…Too much?

Okay. I am happy to help wherever I can. :D
 
Of course you should get it!

My last two SA revolvers have had shorter barrels, and I am really enjoying them.

I can't wait to see pictures and a range report. :)
 
Pat Riot said:
I have a 5 1/2” New Vaquero.45 Colt. Great gun. I would love to encounter a 3.75” model.
Something that might interest you is if you send your New Vaquero to Ruger they’ll fit a .45 ACP cylinder for your gun for about $150.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that was a service they offered. I'd love to have that done for mine.
 
I overheard a guy mentioning the .45 ACP cylinder at a shooting range. My RNV had a strange issue where it would skip a chamber every great once in a while. Rather than fix it myself I had sent it in to them. When I heard about this service I called Ruger and they said they could do it and since my gun was already there it would be easy. They only charged me $130 instead of $150 as they gun was there for warranty.

With the .45 ACP cylinder installed my gun is accurate with military loads (230 grain hardball at 830 fps) and hits point of aim at 10 yards. It shoots better, more accurate, than with my best .45 Colt loads.
The only gripe I have is the two cylinders look identical.
Here is my gun and it’s additional cylinder the day it came back from Ruger.
79254B68-5FDE-4DE3-AF54-3C6246E8E950.jpeg
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I picked it up this morning. As far as what I was looking for chambered in 45LC I wasn't going to any better. I paid in cash, so they dropped the price to $721. I shoot at a private range that closes for October and November as the owner hunts on that land. He does open it Fridays for an hour for those of us who work armed security at our church to train with the local police department. If I can't make it there next Friday I'll be there the following week and will have a chance to shoot it then.

IMG_6914.jpeg
 
Pat Riot said:
I overheard a guy mentioning the .45 ACP cylinder at a shooting range. My RNV had a strange issue where it would skip a chamber every great once in a while. Rather than fix it myself I had sent it in to them. When I heard about this service I called Ruger and they said they could do it and since my gun was already there it would be easy. They only charged me $130 instead of $150 as they gun was there for warranty.

With the .45 ACP cylinder installed my gun is accurate with military loads (230 grain hardball at 830 fps) and hits point of aim at 10 yards. It shoots better, more accurate, than with my best .45 Colt loads.
The only gripe I have is the two cylinders look identical.
Here is my gun and it’s additional cylinder the day it came back from Ruger.
View attachment 1107581
Click to expand...


I have the NV 4 5/8", stainless, dual cylinder. Great fun in .45 ACP and more than adequate for field carry in .45 C.

I have it For Sale @ $850, only because I want a Blackhawk, for the heavier frame and adj sights.
 
Pat Riot said:
Something that might interest you is if you send your New Vaquero to Ruger they’ll fit a .45 ACP cylinder for your gun for about $150.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. The last I heard, Ruger would only fit a 45 ACP cylinder to a 45 Colt revolver if that model was originally available with a second cylinder chambered for 45 ACP.

I bought this convertible Ruger Blackhawk way back in 1975. It came with two cylinders, one 45 Colt, the other 45 ACP.

plZsbaNdj.jpg




I bought this pair of 357 Magnum New Vaqueros probably close to 20 years ago for Mrs Johnson when she started participating in Cowboy Action Shooting with me. Ruger stopped putting the fake case colors on the frames shortly after I bought these.

poW7MTJ9j.jpg




I picked up this slightly used 45 Colt New Vaquero a few years ago.

pmoAD785j.jpg
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
I don't think so. The last I heard, Ruger would only fit a 45 ACP cylinder to a 45 Colt revolver if that model was originally available with a second cylinder chambered for 45 ACP.
Click to expand...

Well, I got a cylinder made for a New Vaquero. The OP bought a New Vaquero, so, I do think so.
 
Pat Riot said:
They said they had to fit it.
Click to expand...
I see there is only one Vaquero that comes with the apc cylinder, the stainless one and it's a Davidson's special.

The skinny on loading +P is rather vague. The instructions don't say you can't, don't say you can but here's an interesting factoid;

Staying Strong
Click to expand...
There is a misconception about the cylinder on the New Vaqueros. Since the cylinder diameter was decreased many assume the cylinder wall was decreased, making the New Vaquero weaker than the original. This is not the case. The chambers were moved inward slightly to maintain the chamber to outside wall thickness.

Over the last three decades, the Vaquero has been offered in a variety .......
Click to expand...
https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/the-ruger-vaquero/
 
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