Ruger vaquero 7.5" barrels not too common?

They're not easy to find, mostly because those of us who have them don't care to part with them. I've never dug into RENE close enough to figure out the numbers, but a Ruger rep told me once the 5.5" models were made 2:1 for the 7.5". Some folks might say I "collect" 44mag stainless Vaqueros, but I really just "accumulate," not collect. Here's one of the 7.5" models I picked up about 2yrs ago along with a 5.5" bisley I picked up about 6mos prior. I don't take "family pictures" with a bunch of them together, 1) because I'm kinda lazy, 2) because I'm protective.



The 7.5" original Vaqueros are monsters. Very accurate, very well behaved, but VERY heavy. The muzzle weight isn't overwhelming though, since the cylinder frame and cylinder are so heavy - overall they come out pretty well balanced. The sights are a weakness, the 5.5" models balance better, and shoot just as well since the poor sights don't give much advantage to be gained from the sight radius.

Keep in mind that Ruger made two different revolvers. The first was the Vaquero which was built with the same size cylinder as the Super Blackhawk. They were available in several calibers including .44 Magnum. In around 2005 Ruger introduced the New Vaquero which is built on the "medium" frame, resulting in a revolver that is closer in size to the Colt SAA. The smaller revolver has never been offered in .44 Magnum as it won't take the pressure. A few were made in .44 Special and I think the only calibers in production now are .357 and .45 Colt. I believe both revolvers were at one time offered with a 7.5 inch barrel but Ruger stopped offering that length in the New Vaquero some time back.

kookla

You know now that you mention it I don't recall seeing many Vaqueros with 7.5" barrels either. A friend of mine had a stainless model in .44 magnum and after Ruger had made up a new barrel for him (original barrel was put in incorrectly), and polished up the entire gun so everything matched, that gun was quite the looker!

I had an old .44 mag Vaquero with 7.5" barrel but stupidly sold it because it didn't have the 4 clicks I like. I wish I had it back.

A new vaquero with 7.5" looks better to my eye than the shorter barrels. Something about the trigger and the topstrap/barrel interface is slightly "wrong" to my eye.

Howdy

Ruger 'original model' Vaquero, 45 Colt, 7 1/2" barrel.





Two Ruger Stainless 'original model' Vaqueros, 45 Colt, 7 1/2" barrel and 5 1/2" barrel.





However, checking Ruger's web page it seems the New Vaquero is only available with 5 1/2" or 4 5/8" barrels.

New Vaqueros were made in the 7½" length for a while but they seem to have suffered from poor sales. I always thought I'd like to have one but have too strong a preference for the traditional lockwork.

Just bought a New Model Vaquero in 44 mag by Ruger/Talo with 3 3/4" barrel and birdsheads grip.....have not fired it yet but will soon....to busy being retired, oh by the way I need a holster.....any suggestions guys??

I have had an "Older" model Stainless Vaquero in 4 5/8" barrel, chambered in the .45 Colt.
I had this Ruger, and a cowboy holster/belt rig that was brand new.
Took the combo to several gun shows to sell. Sold the holster rig, but did not get my price for the Ruger, so it's been in the safe ever since..
Heck, this was awhile back, and I don't even remember what I was asking for the Ruger, but I DID double my $ on the holster/rig..HA HA..
Any idea how popular were the 4 5/8" barrel length Vaquero's in the Colt were??

Thanks in advance..Bill.

Sorry OP. The CAS gamers prefer shorter barrels, thus the lack of 7.5 inch pistolas. They voted w/ their wallets and your choice lost.