RugerSAFan
Member
Is this even a remotely reasonable choice?
I love how this puppy looks!
I love how this puppy looks!
Birdshead Vaquero for CCW
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ACP230
Member
Why not carry two. Call it a "Dodge City Reload."
jjmorgan64
Member
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- Dec 30, 2002
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- 202
General concensus is a double action is much better for carry,
however I'd do it, wouldn't think twice about it, but you must be painfully aware of the limitations, and practice a great deal. When I shoot the hammer is cocked immediately after a shot it is not even a conscious thing, it's automatic, that's where you need to be.
however I'd do it, wouldn't think twice about it, but you must be painfully aware of the limitations, and practice a great deal. When I shoot the hammer is cocked immediately after a shot it is not even a conscious thing, it's automatic, that's where you need to be.
dairycreek
Member
Using a single action for effective rapid shooting..........
is an acquired skill. As has been suggested here it takes some practice ro develop that skill. As far as a CCW is concerned it all depends upon how proficient you can become with it. You're right about one thing though! It sure is a sexy looking devil. Good shooting
is an acquired skill. As has been suggested here it takes some practice ro develop that skill. As far as a CCW is concerned it all depends upon how proficient you can become with it. You're right about one thing though! It sure is a sexy looking devil. Good shooting
Jim March
Member
*I'm* considering it too. You have to make a commitment to mastering the type, and if I do it I'll have a Tritium front sight put on .
I'd also be likely to score a 45ACP cylinder, both for better combat ammo selection (Cor-Bon Pow'R'Balls would be my first pick) and cheaper practice fodder.
Plus the ability to cram new rounds in the gate out of a 1911 magazine.
.I'd also be likely to score a 45ACP cylinder, both for better combat ammo selection (Cor-Bon Pow'R'Balls would be my first pick) and cheaper practice fodder.
Plus the ability to cram new rounds in the gate out of a 1911 magazine.
DeltaElite
Member
Well, it may not be practical, but is sure would be damn cool.
Marshall
Member
Yes, make sure it is a Birds Head Grip because if it prints most people wouldn't even know what it was. Uhh, can you tell I have thought about this before?
Uhh, can you tell I have thought about this before? You might consider if this gun has liability issues because:
1. The SA trigger might betray and go boom when it shouldn't . Cops have
been sued and tried over this.
2. You will look nuts and that might encourage prosecution.
3. Ruger has been sued many times over its pre 1973 guns, IIRC. That might
also encourge a suit, even though this gun is safer.
Don't be cool with a carry gun.
1. The SA trigger might betray and go boom when it shouldn't . Cops have
been sued and tried over this.
2. You will look nuts and that might encourage prosecution.
3. Ruger has been sued many times over its pre 1973 guns, IIRC. That might
also encourge a suit, even though this gun is safer.
Don't be cool with a carry gun.
popbang
Member
I do carry a short-barreled Vaquero with the Birds head grip. You may ask why, well about a year and a half ago I thought long and hard about my choices. I have shot and carried a Blackhawk for years for hunting and it always feels like it fits to me. So, I bought the little Vaquero and have carried it since.
It does have its limitations just as any platform does. It does require practice, but again every platform does. As far as the trigger in a time of crisis I would rather have something I am confident in and proficient with than some whiz bang best gizmo ever made.
It is fairly easy to conceal with any sort of cover garment. The big thing is to get a well-made holster. The weight isn’t bad either, about the same as a full sized 1911. is it a good choice for most people, I don’t think so, but for some it is a good viable choice.
It does have its limitations just as any platform does. It does require practice, but again every platform does. As far as the trigger in a time of crisis I would rather have something I am confident in and proficient with than some whiz bang best gizmo ever made.
It is fairly easy to conceal with any sort of cover garment. The big thing is to get a well-made holster. The weight isn’t bad either, about the same as a full sized 1911. is it a good choice for most people, I don’t think so, but for some it is a good viable choice.
Jim March
Member
You know, if some damn prosecutor tried to make an issue out of it, you can make him look silly with three arguments:
1) It has a fully modern transfer bar safety of a type used in almost all police revolvers and all current S&W, Ruger and many other wheelguns. It may look like an antique, but in the safety department it's anything but.
2) If you had shot an assailant with a high-tech Glock or something, the prosecutor would undoubtably moan about how you used a "high tech killing machine"; as is you used a functional modern reproduction of a 19th Century firearm so now you're a "cowboy". The prosecutor is actually playing "Goldilocks Gun Control" and would piss and moan about ANY gun because he doesn't like self defense; he's doing it to distract you from the fact that this was a clean lawful shoot.
3) You used ammo that is right in the same power/performance ballpark as typical police ammo. In 45LC that means the "combat loads" like the Winchester Silvertip, the Cor-Bon 200grain JHP (NOT the +P hunting loads), ProLoad's equivelent, etc. Peak energy is right on par with hot 40S&W police fodder or typical 45ACP performance. Or you're using a 45ACP cylinder, which is fine too.
1) It has a fully modern transfer bar safety of a type used in almost all police revolvers and all current S&W, Ruger and many other wheelguns. It may look like an antique, but in the safety department it's anything but.
2) If you had shot an assailant with a high-tech Glock or something, the prosecutor would undoubtably moan about how you used a "high tech killing machine"; as is you used a functional modern reproduction of a 19th Century firearm so now you're a "cowboy". The prosecutor is actually playing "Goldilocks Gun Control" and would piss and moan about ANY gun because he doesn't like self defense; he's doing it to distract you from the fact that this was a clean lawful shoot.
3) You used ammo that is right in the same power/performance ballpark as typical police ammo. In 45LC that means the "combat loads" like the Winchester Silvertip, the Cor-Bon 200grain JHP (NOT the +P hunting loads), ProLoad's equivelent, etc. Peak energy is right on par with hot 40S&W police fodder or typical 45ACP performance. Or you're using a 45ACP cylinder, which is fine too.
Ruger357 - Amen. I keep waiting for Ruger to make a run of Bird's-Head .357 Sheriff's Models. It's just gotta happen...my dealer already knows to get me one the minute they hear they are out. I want stainless with black Micarta but will take whatever flavor I can find. Uhhh, that is unless it's tomorrow. I'm broke from providing a good home for a lonely Belgian Hi-Power.
Tom C.
Member.
Ruger Birdshead
If you really want a Birdshead Vaquero in .357, you can always make your own. The shortest standard barrel for a Vaquero is 4 5/8", but I think they make limited runs of shorter ones. The grip frames are available from several sources, like Brownell's. I haven't shot one of the birdshead grip guns, but just handling them they don't feel as good in my hands as the standard grip. Personal preference.
If you really want a Birdshead Vaquero in .357, you can always make your own. The shortest standard barrel for a Vaquero is 4 5/8", but I think they make limited runs of shorter ones. The grip frames are available from several sources, like Brownell's. I haven't shot one of the birdshead grip guns, but just handling them they don't feel as good in my hands as the standard grip. Personal preference.
The Mighty Beagle
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I've carried a Birdshead Vaquero concealed, and liked it very much, but double action really is superior in darn near every way.
I feel your pain, .45 Colt just seems ideal for self-defense ... but the tradeoffs compared to a .357 are just not worth it to me, being 1) virtually no current DA .45 Colts are being made today, and 2) hard-to-get/expensive .45 Colt defense ammo.
Alternatively, you can have any flavor of .357 revolver you want, in a smaller package that recoils less with outstanding stopping power proven on the street.
A prosecutor will of course suggest that because you chose a western-style gun that you have a dangerous "Billy the Kid" "gunfighter" mindset.
I feel your pain, .45 Colt just seems ideal for self-defense ... but the tradeoffs compared to a .357 are just not worth it to me, being 1) virtually no current DA .45 Colts are being made today, and 2) hard-to-get/expensive .45 Colt defense ammo.
Alternatively, you can have any flavor of .357 revolver you want, in a smaller package that recoils less with outstanding stopping power proven on the street.
A prosecutor will of course suggest that because you chose a western-style gun that you have a dangerous "Billy the Kid" "gunfighter" mindset.
Baron Holbach
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
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- 102
I have a stainless 3 3/4 inch Ruger Vaquero .45 LC with the bird's head grip, and have often wondered how I could conceal carry such a gun. If your local range permits or if you have access to an outdoor range, practice fanning the trigger using cowboy loads.
jjmorgan64
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Please don't do this, the Rugers are not built for fanning, this will be the quickest ticket to the Smiths shop you can find. Alas the tanks do have an achilles heel.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
I like the "Bird's Head" model in .32 H&R magnum. ) I also like the .45!) It looks like the .32 mag model has a smaller cylinder that, *to me looks more in proportion to the rest of the revolver. (Plus, I like the .32 mag. )
I've often thought about how neat a Bird's Head Vaquero would look in a Doc Holliday cross draw holster.
KR
) I also like the .45!) It looks like the .32 mag model has a smaller cylinder that, *to me looks more in proportion to the rest of the revolver. (Plus, I like the .32 mag. )I've often thought about how neat a Bird's Head Vaquero would look in a Doc Holliday cross draw holster.
KR
Gila Jorge
Member
There are plenty of 25-X 45LCs available if you are truly interested in Colts for defensive pruposes. Many with 4inch barrels. Or go for the 44 Spcl....!
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