OK. What you're seeing there is a bit of an oddity, but a cool one
.
It has a transfer bar safety so it's as safe if dropped fully loaded as any modern gun, revolver or auto. It may look "cowboy" but in terms of safety it isn't.
That's not what's odd.
What's odd is that it's a "compact model" but built on Ruger's larger SA frame size, the same strength class as their 44Mag SuperBlackHawk series. Which means it can take high-powered 45LC+P ammo marked "Ruger ONLY!!!" that rivals or even exceeds 44Mag horsepower levels, but can also take mild "cowboy action sports" ammo through good midrange loads.
"Midrange" often involves a JHP of 200 - 230gr moving at anywhere from 850fps through maybe 1,100 in that barrel length. "High power" maxes out with the crazy Buffalo Bore 325gr hardcast doing over 1,100fps in that gun. Which will hurt to shoot, but seriously hurt whatever it hits
. It's literally a decent bear defense load, as long as the bear isn't TOO big...figure up to 400 - 500lbs and some pretty good shootin'
.
Low grade power "SASS/CAS" loads will run typically less than 850fps, often a lot less. Recoil varies between "pussycat" and "yeah, it's there but no pain at all".
45LC ammo of any type tends to run a bit pricy. It's a good round to reload. Esp. on a gun that strong which will be forgiving of at least some beginner "overload mistakes". Just don't start out loading maxed out stuff and you'll have a sizeable safety margin before hitting the kaboom point.
The "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller, handier frame size similar to the Colt SAA. In 45LC it can't handle the 45LC+P fodder.
Is it a home defense gun?
Well it's actually not a bad choice. Pretty much all of the 45LC jacketed hollowpoints (JHPs) perform well, including the common Winchester Silvertip, every Cor-Bon load, the new Speer 250gr "really big hollowpoint" Gold Dot or the various rounds based on the Speer 200gr JHP. Even a big plain flat-nose "Keith style" type will work great in 45LC.
Reloading isn't the fastest but it will point nicely in the dark.
Depending on your hand size, the "reach" up to the hammer to cock it may be too long a stretch for comfort. But that's cheap to fix: Ruger makes a lower-slung "SuperBlackHawk" hammer that reduces the reach somewhat, a $35 drop-in-yourself (most of the time) part. Mine slapped right into my New Vaquero. SAFETY NOTE: there is a "checkout procedure" thread stickied in this forum. After a hammer swap, do the checkout, esp. the parts that ensure the cocked hammer can't slip off the sear accidentally AND the checks that ensure the safety is working. Any "issues" there, get help here or on
www.rugerforums.com (revolver section). Worst case $50 and a gunsmith will sort it out. There is an even lower-slung "Bisley" hammer that also fits our guns but it needs to be modified slightly to fit your grip frame - still doable with hand-tools, as the sear and safety areas of the hammer are unaffected.
I set up my Ruger New Vaquero "cowboy gun" as a home/street defense critter by upgrading the sights, throwing the SBH hammer on, putting a spring kit in, reshaping the grips slightly and...doing a "cosmetic mod" tied to...heh "psychological warfare":
Mine is a 357 but the 45LC is at least as good, if more expensive to feed.
