Dilemma /Which would you buy?

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SteelyNirvana

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Ok, here's the dilemma I'm in. Fell on hard times last year, had to pawn my Ruger Vaquero sheriffs model (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=409394), tried to keep up with the payments but eventually had to let it go, hated to loose it but I wasn't too upset over it.

Toady, I just happen to swing by the same pawn shop, see my Ruger in the case with a price tag of $499 on it. I also see a Ruger security six, Stainless steel, 6" barrel, .357, with a price of $459 on it. I've been wanting a 6" .357 for a long time now and I've always heard good things about the security six and that alot of folks prefer them over the GP100.

So if you were in my shoes, which would you try to buy ? Either one, I'm gonna try to get them down around $400 for the SS and around $425 for the Vaquero. I know the Vaquero is a rare model but I didn't much care for the short barrel and it's the only 45 Colt I've ever had. I own two other .357's. Should I get the .45 back or add another .357 to the collection and not have to buy dies and other casting/reloading components?

Thanks in advance
 
1. Get your finances in order so you don't have to pawn your guns
2. Keep your eyes on the FTF classifieds and cut out the middleman (pawnshop). I almost promise that you'll see nearly ANY common handgun you want to buy in 6 months locally, for a reasonable price too. And that gives you time to save $ for it.

I have paid less than $325 for each of the last several revolvers I've bought, including several Rugers in .357 and .44LC and a Smith and Wesson .38.
 
+1 to getting finances in order. Don't take another step until you're ready to not have to repeat the same cycle again. Financial problems suck, and having an affinity for firearms doesn't help, lol.

Personally, I'd favor the Vaquero. Old model Vaqueros are nearly invulnerable, and the sherrif's model's barrel length makes it a handy gun.

Unless you have some sort of attachment to the Vaquero, I guess it's up to you. Neither gun is still being produced. Just be sure it's not an impulse buy. Like leadcounsel said, there's basically always a better deal for the same gun if you're willing to be patient and look/wait for it.

I know the Vaquero is a rare model but I didn't much care for the short barrel and it's the only 45 Colt I've ever had.

I think this pretty much says it all though. If you didn't care for the barrel length and you don't have any particular allure to the .45 Colt, then let it go. Don't go out of your way to buy something just because it's rare. If you don't like it, you don't like it.
 
Lead counsel, not to thread hijack, but where can one find this myserious "FTF classifieds?" Thanks!:D
 
Which one? It depends what "hole" you need to fill.

What would a 6" .357 do that your other two .357's won't?

The Vaquero is a workhorse, to be sure, but you said you didn't miss it. If you buy it back, you'll have spent close to $1000 on it, all money paid out for it combined. Is it $1000 gun to you? Doesn't sound like it.

Maybe your collection has another "hole" that you're overlooking.
 
If you weren't happy with the barrel length the first time you owned it, what makes you think you would be happy with it now? If you like the Ruger Vaquero, and you want a longer barrel length, get a different one. A local gunshop here in Little Rock has brand new 5 1/2" Vaqueros for $499. And that's either nickle or blued, whichever you like. Just saying, if you didn't care for it the first time around and weren't upset when you had to let it go, I wouldn't consider buying it back. Just one fellers opinion.
 
A local gunshop here in Little Rock has brand new 5 1/2" Vaqueros for $499. And that's either nickle or blued

Ruger doesn't do nickel. They do a highly polished stainless that looks like nickel, tho.
 
What would a 6" .357 do that your other two .357's won't?

I don't guess that extra 2" would make much of a difference. My other two .357's are a 4" S&W 66 and a 3 1/4" SP101. It's just I've always wanted a 6" .357.

The Vaquero is a workhorse, to be sure, but you said you didn't miss it. If you buy it back, you'll have spent close to $1000 on it, all money paid out for it combined. Is it $1000 gun to you? Doesn't sound like it.

After monitoring the 45C vs.357 thread I'm starting to have a change of mind. I do like the fact that the 45C has less muzzle blast, less penetration (For HD use) and can be loaded to be more powerful than the .357. That S&W 66 I've got, it was my first handgun and I bought when I was 22 (I'm 28 now) for $300. I've pawned it a few times over the years, damn near losing it for good 3 times. I've got over $1200 invested in that one gun but it's my baby. So if I do end up getting the Vaquero back, it wouldn't be the first time I've got alot of money tied up in one gun. I am getting wiser as I get older and I realize putting your guns (or anything else) in pawn is a bad idea.

Maybe your collection has another "hole" that you're overlooking.

I've got one more permit left before I have to get more. I was actually considering a 6" Blackhawk 357/9mm convertible or a Beretta 950 Jetfire in .25acp (Just for kicks, they look like they would be a fun and neat gun to shoot).
 
It's your choice-but, there's no mistaking the fact that the Security-Six is a wonderful revolver. It is quite a bit stronger than your Smith/Wesson Model 66. I have several Model 19's/66's and Security-Sixes and I love all of these revolvers-but, I just like the stronger Security-Sixes with their simpler modular construction too. I also have three Ruger GP's but they just have to take a back seat to my Security/Service/Speed-Sixes. They are bulkier and don't handle as well and IMHO don't look as nice! Good luck in whatever you'll decide.
 
The Beretta .25 isn't the most pleasant gun to shoot. This surprises many, since it's so "cute," but it does have some kick to it. While "fun" in its own right, I'd place it pretty far down the "must have" list.

Buy your Vaquero back, you know what you're getting. And, hopefully, now being older and wiser, you'll hang onto it this time.
 
I wouldn't buy any of them from that pawn shop. Their prices seem to be WAY high IMO.

My grandparents were friends with the owner and his wife. Even though he doesn't work in that store, I'm hopping I can say "Don knows my grandparents and has been a friend of the family for many years. Do you think you guys could work with me some on the price?" And hope that works :)
 
Shopping in a pawn shop is just like shopping for a new car. Never pay what's on the sticker. You can ALWAYS get them to come down some. Maybe not a whole lot, but you can get them down some if you're serious about buying.
 
If money is a concern than Rugers generally are cheaper than Smiths and by far cheaper than Colts but more pricey than a Taurus or Rossi. Smith L frames are about the same size and weight as a GP-100 but you can get them with 7 shots (some Tauruses have this also). Although rare a 686 Mtn. Gun weighs about the same as a 4" 19/66 but is a bit taller with a thicker cylinder. The GP-100 having a grip stud allows many different size and configurations of grips to be fit readily (same for SP101). The larger frames will be harder to conceal but NOT impossible as some on the forum carry N frame Smiths. As to weight roughly they weigh as follows:

2.25 " SP101 24.5 oz
3 1/16" SP101 27 oz
4" 19/66 36 oz
3" GP100 36 - 37 oz (depending upon 1/2 vs full underlug)
4" GP100 41.5 oz
4" 686 38.5 - 41.5 oz (7 shot vs. 6 shot)
 
Ok, here's the dilemma I'm in. Fell on hard times last year, had to pawn my Ruger Vaquero sheriffs model (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=409394), tried to keep up with the payments but eventually had to let it go, hated to loose it but I wasn't too upset over it.
If the guy is really a friend of the family you might be able to get the gun back for the original pawn price plus a little. He already made interest from you and a profit from the person he sold it to after you let it go. You just might get it back for good price since he probably made twice what the revolver is worth already.
 
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