Blackhawk or Vaquero

[Armybrat]

Driftwood, I didn't like the thin grip panels on my first New Vaquero either. Traded that one off though. My 2nd NV is a Talo, and came with the gaudy "star engraved" wood panels, which were actually thicker than the standard laminated Rosewood.
Put these Altamont "bonded ivory" panels (epoxy really) on, and they have a full grip that is more comfortable for my hands. They fit the gun surprisingly well too, although not perfect. The material is pretty dense and fairly heavy like my Colt SAA elephant ivory grip panels, unlike a cheap plastic.

 

[bannockburn]

Armybrat

Those Altamont bonded ivory grips look great. Remind me a lot of the Bar-S Tru-Ivory grips I got for my Vaquero a number of years ago.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Driftwood, I didn't like the thin grip panels on my first New Vaquero either.

I did not say I don't like the thin grips on the New Vaquero, I only commented that they are thinner than the grips on a Colt or Uberti. Thinner than the grips on an 'original model' Vaquero too. I actually don't mind them at all, but I guess I am used to grips which fill the hand a bit more.

 

[Bartojc]

I went through this same thing a year ago, but I was looking at 45 Colt. I ended up with the Blackhawk. I was thinking of hunting with it and thought the adjustable sights would be better. I have adjusted so I suppose my decision was valid. Now I am on the lookout for a Vaquero in 45 Colt Sooner or later you'll end up with both so it doesn't really matter in the end which is first.

-Jeff

 

[entropy]

I've had and (regretfully) sold both. The Blackhawk is the gun you hunt and target shoot with, the Vaquero is the 'I want a SAA but can't justify the $$' gun. I did carry and use the Vaquero as a coup de gras gun for deer. What he said:

Sooner or later you'll end up with both so it doesn't really matter in the end which is first.

Just don't sell them, you will regret it.

 

[Varminterror]

the Vaquero is the 'I want a SAA but can't justify the $$' gun.

Not for me - I gots plenty of money, and I have a couple Colt's and clones, but the Vaquero for me has always been my, "I don't want a Colt SAA, I want something tougher," gun. Lots of folks buy into the whole "the Ruger is a colt wannabe" mantra, but I personally have never found that to be true - no more than an F-150 is a Model T wannabe. More modern, more durable, and better featured, the Colt wants to be the Ruger, in my book.

 

[entropy]

You won't mistake an F-150 for a Model T at a distance, however. An analogy where the F-150 looks like a Model T but has a 351c under that dainty hood would be more correct. The F-150 is a Blackhawk in .45LC, the Redhawk in .44 is an F-350.

 

[CraigC]

Lots of folks buy into the whole "the Ruger is a colt wannabe" mantra, but I personally have never found that to be true - no more than an F-150 is a Model T wannabe.

Yeah, I don't get the "wannabe" nonsense either but not for the same reasons.

 

[Armybrat]

The Ruger is just a lookalike improvement over the Colt, that's all. Not a clone. Uberti makes the clones.

 

[Gun Master]

My point I previously tried to make was :
I'd rather own a Ruger Blackhawk, than a Colt, due to the several modern improvements (besides being less expensive).
Some people have unlimited funds. I don't .
I'd also rather own a Ruger Vaquero, for the same reasons as above.
Log in or Sign up

But I prefer the Blackhawk over the Vaquero, since I believe the BH exhibits these improvements, both visibly and functionally .

 

[Varminterror]

Since you came back to money, maybe I wasn't clear: Limited or unlimited funds - in the context of Colt's being out of reach to purchase - doesn't dictate why I favor Ruger's. If I won the Pick Six tomorrow, I wouldn't run out and buy Colt's to replace my Rugers. I'd buy more Ruger's and more FA's, probably order a dozen Max Blackhawks... A dollar sign isn't standing between me and more colts, I don't see them as superior for my wants and needs. I can afford them today, I own a couple today, and that's as many as I want or need. I have LOTS of Ruger's, and it's not as many as I want or need. Dollar values don't figure into it for me.

 

[Gun Master]

As I see it, we have no issues. We both like guns. It's a matter of "which" ones. (I like 'em all).
Go in peace, bro.

 

[BCRider]

If you are going to jump around with different loads the adjustable sights make perfect sense which automatically means that the "right" answer is the Blackhawk in some style.

But once you're used to the svelte and flowing look of a proper SAA such as Armybrat's lovely stainless NV shown above it really does make a person think that perhaps there can be happiness in just one power of load......

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Blackhawks and Redhawks for hunting with hot loads.....Vaqueros for plinking and "cowboys"

 

[farm23]

I have Blackhawks but no Vaqueros so I would go that way. If it was to be my first purchase then I would go Blackhawk.

 

[tubeshooter]

You may very well end up with both. I did, eventually.

Be sure to handle them both in the barrel length you intend to purchase. To me they balance differently. My one Blackhawk is a blued one with the aluminum grip frame; the New Vaquero of course is all steel. If you elect to go with a stainless Blackhawk, that will feel different also.


I bought my Rugers because I wanted working guns that could be loaded "six up". Similarity to an actual Colt did not factor into the decision. If someone desires the "Old Model" lockwork or some other brand's more "authentic" and true to the original behavior, more power to them.

 

[Varminterror]

Blackhawks and Redhawks for hunting with hot loads.....Vaqueros for plinking and "cowboys"

Why the difference? No hot loads for Vaqueros, but they're ok for Blackhawks?

 

[Hardtarget]

You guys are killing me with this 'buy them both" stuff. I'll have night mares hearing those cash registers running...but I'd be lovin' every minute of it !!

Mark.

 

[Gary A]

Why the difference? No hot loads for Vaqueros, but they're ok for Blackhawks?

The New Vaqueros are built on a smaller frame than the standard Blackhawk and the original Vaquero. Consequently, they have a smaller cylinder and cannot safely fire the "Ruger Only" 45 Colt loads that people load for the Blackhawk and the original, larger Vaquero. An exception to the Blackhawks are the distributor special "Flattop" Blackhawks which are built on the same smaller frame as the New Vaquero and should be held to the same level. This is regarding 45 Colt. In .357, the New Vaqueros and Flattop Blackhawks have much more steel surrounding the Chambers and are safe for any commercial .357 load and any sane reload.

 

[Varminterror]

@Gary A, I only asked to nudge your hand into admitting the gap between the Blackhawk and Vaquero really only depends on the frame size, not the name. Original Vaqueros can take hotter loads than Anniversary/Convertible/Flattop Blackhawks. New Vaq's and Flattop's will take the same pressure loads, as will original vaq's and standard large frame blackhawks...

So there's a lot more to it than just the names. Within the two frame sizes, the cylinders and all lockwork parts interchange between Blackhawks and Vaqueros - same ultimate yield strength, same durability - only thing different is aesthetic.

 

[Gary A]

@Gary A, I only asked to nudge your hand into admitting the gap between the Blackhawk and Vaquero really only depends on the frame size, not the name. Original Vaqueros can take hotter loads than Anniversary/Convertible/Flattop Blackhawks. New Vaq's and Flattop's will take the same pressure loads, as will original vaq's and standard large frame blackhawks...

So there's a lot more to it than just the names. Within the two frame sizes, the cylinders and all lockwork parts interchange between Blackhawks and Vaqueros - same ultimate yield strength, same durability - only thing different is aesthetic.

That's pretty much what I endeavored to say (perhaps not clearly), I think. I was just trying to answer your question as asked to be helpful but I didn't feel I was been nudged into admitting anything, especially something I never denied. I certainly agree it is the frame size, not the name. After all, a wise man once asked, "what's in a name?" and it's still a good question.

 

[CraigC]

I think the biggest difference is perception. The Vaquero is perceived as a "cowboy gun", good for plinking and cowboy and the Blackhawk is the outdoorsman's gun. While the strength is the same, there is some merit to this because the Vaquero's fixed sights are much more difficult to use at distance. Especially with the polished stainless guns. I had this Bisley Vaquero fitted with a dovetail front sight, regulated for a 300gr at 1200fps. Even with the rear sight trough bead blasted it was difficult to shoot at much distance with accuracy.



Enough so that I eventually sent it back for adjustable sights.

 

[TreeDoc]

OP get the Blackhawk, because if you pick up and handle a New Vaquero first, you'll probably buy it. I have both and the Blackhawk Lipsey flat top stainless rarely makes it out, the NV feels much more balanced and is a pleasure to shoot. I don't hunt with it, I use a 357 lever for that.

 

[Gary A]

if you pick up and handle a New Vaquero first, you'll probably buy it

All the arguments, and good ones, in favor of a Blackhawk over a Vaquero, often disappear with this simple act.

 

[vba]

I owned Blackhawks but just love the smooth lines of the New Vaquero. It's a joy to shoot (as are the Blackhawks) and I love .45 Colt.

Like many here, I grew up during the "Western Cowboy" TV era and the New Vaquero just speaks to me more. I don't hunt so it works for me.