45 Ruger Bisley Vaquero

[420Stainless]

Howdy folks. I've been tuning in for a few months and finally decided to become a member today.

I'd like opinions on the Bisley Vaquero. I was in the LGS last week and a 5-1/2" stainless melted my heart. I haven't bought it yet because I know very little about revolvers. This would not be for action shooting. It is strictly to satisfy a couple of itches. One for a western style single action and the other for a high powered revolver. I've read that Vaquero models prior to 2005 can handle +P if desired. Even though its pretty beefy, I'm guessing it might give a pretty good wallop with plus p's at that weight.

 

[RonJon]

I was going to buy one myself this past weekend. I had looked at it 1 week before at Gander Mtn. and it was in fine shape. They were asking $399.97 for it with a $50 off clearance deal.

This one had the color case hardened finish, and when I came back this weekend to buy it.....It was covered in RUST!

The DO-DOs that run the place had ignored the humid weather and continual handling by customers and never gave it a coat of oil - and CC hardened finish has NO resistance to rust without oil.

I mean, it was not just a light wisp of rust, but actually red and PITTED all over, especially where there were fingerprints! (Poor slob who put his prints on it - they are permanently etched into the gun -FOREVER!).

Too bad - it was a nice tight one in .45 Long Colt. Better than most Rugers I've checked. It would have cost about $200 to get a CC hardened finish properly redone, so I offered no more than $200 and I'd take it off their hands - NO GO - The Gander guy said they had $350 in it and won't sell it for less (But when they bought it for $350, it was in good condition, but their ignorance damaged it and they want the customer to take the hit? NO WAY!).

Since you are looking at stainless, and if it checks out as nice & tight - Then go for it! They aren't making any more of them!

Ron

 

[420Stainless]

Sorry to hear about the rust on the color-case hardening. Its a beautiful finish. I've read here before that rust could be a problem with that finish on the new Vaqueros. I'm principally interested in the stainless because this one has a satin finish that almost looks like nickel. I work with stainless everyday (medical instruments manufacturing), but I generally prefer the traditional look of blue steel and wood grips. It would stand out from my blue or brushed stainless guns.

 

[scotty]

If you have the itch, scratch it! Don't worry about the quality as the Rugers are fine guns.

I have a blued Bisley Vaquero 5.5" in .45 Colt that I bought for pretty much the same reason. I've been very happy so far. My father has its identical twin so I have a pair available should I have an itch to take some time out from USPSA and go cowboy shooting.

After handling and shooting several Blackhawks and Bisleys, I found that I like the Bisley configuration best but not by a wide margin.

 

[420Stainless]

Thank you for your opinion Scotty. My hand is already on the wallet, but I just wanted some reassurance from some who know better. The sum total of my single action revolver experience was a cylinder full of .44 mags from a friend's Blackhawk back in the '80's. Except for a .22lr kit gun I've been strictly into semiautos since I started shooting 20 years ago.

 

[Blueduck]

If you have the itch, scratch it!

Of the thousands of posters, you Sir are my leader

 

[Old Fuff]

The Ruger/Bisley style grip has a great reputation for handling heavy recoil better then the usual "plow-handle" style, and the wide-spur hammer is easier to cock when the arm is fully extended. While the factory didn't recommend it, this revolver will handle .45 Colt loads that lighter Colt-size guns won't. They were, and still are a "best buy" for those that want a heavy, single-action style revolver to use high-end loads in.

 

[JoeHatley]

Great gun.



Fun factor is very high, even with "heavy" loads...

Joe

 

[rWt]

A great gun!

 

[scotty]

rWt, I love those grips! Nothing like pretty wood to set off a nice firearm.

 

[h_tolley]

I have the 5 1/2 " stainless Bisley that I bought new in 2002. It is a fun shooter, and especially fun with the cor-bon or other heavy loads. I'd buy it, especially if you haven't at least one single action revolver.

 

[420Stainless]

Well, since no one warned against it, I purchased the Bisley Vaquero today. What a magnificent handful. Not as sleek as some of the others, but I can't wait to try it out. Thank you for the advice.