Help me decide.

Which revolver should I buy?

  • Ruger New Vaquero .44 special 3.75"

    Votes: 11 16.2%

  • Ruger New Vaquero .45 Colt 3.75" (Montado)

    Votes: 57 83.8%
  • Total voters
    68
  • Poll closed .
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Super Sneaky Steve

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OK, I've got a fat Cabela's gift card in my wallet and I've widdled down my decision to two firearms. Please stick to these two guns only when you vote!

I know there's a lot of .44 vs .45 threads, but I want to specifically narrow it down to these short barrled new Vaqueros. They will be used for winter CC.

And no, I don't really want to debate SA for SD.

Thanks!
 
Me votes for ole' US Military/Cowboy "smoke pipe" plus couple boxes of Cor Bon 200gr JHPs at about 1100fps rating it superior to the .45ACP.
 
I don't really have much to say about either caliber vs the other for cc, since they'll both work. I chose the 45 because it's pretty much THE historical caliber for a SAA type gun (at least the only one that's still around in any real amount).

However, the choice could change depending on the resources in the area. For cc, I would choose whichever one you have better access to ammo, if there's any significant difference, or the one you already reload, if either. But again, if no difference in ammo cost/availability, I'd take the 45 Colt
 
I do handload so I can get the most out of either one. I started out all gung ho for the 45 Colt, but then I read that in that frame you have a little more meat on the .44 so I could load it hotter than standard .44 pressure.

I've also heard the .44 is more accurate and I do value accuracy.
 
This is one of those potato, potahto choices. .452 - .429 = .023 :rolleyes:

"Doctor, sometimes I have headaches and don't sleep well."

"So what? NEXT!"
 
Well, I just called Cabela's and placed an order for the .45 Colt. No Guarantee he'll be able to get it, but if he does I'll have pics ASAP.

I'm arlready having buyers remorse but I think the Montado hammer will dig into my side less than the Colt like standard hammer.
 
I'm sure you'll like it. I haven't tried the newfangled hammer, but it does look more comfortable, and other advantages are claimed for it.
 
I have Rugers in both calibers and really would be hard pressed to choose one over the other. Since my Vaquero is in .45LC, I probably would get a Montado in the same caliber so I could have a 2 gun rig made for it.
 
Although my heart is for the .44, the .45LC is the more practical choice( especially if you get the acp conversion cylinder). Ammo availability of the .44 is narrow unless you reload.
 
I'll be the contrarian: I bought the sheriff's 3.75 in .44 spec. One of the most accurate wheelies I've ever owned. Not that I wouldn't also like the .45LC, mind.
 
I voted for the .45Colt before I saw that you reload your own. Given that fact it's a tossup and I'd say just get whichever you can. I see you ordered the .45Colt already. If they have the .44Spl version in stock I'd say cancel the order and just get that one.

Both calibers are more than strong enough to do whatever you feel is needed so that's not the issue. The selection of ammo is. But as a reloader you've got that covered.
 
Folks like the .45 because it's a big case and ".45" has a certain flair to it but in reality, the .44Spl is the better cartridge for the platform. With comparable bullet weights, it can launch them 100fps faster and with a greater safety margin. It is also more efficient, requiring 15% or more less powder to reach the same velocity. At this pressure level, the big .45 case is a lot of wasted space. Regardless of manufacturer, the .44Spl also suffers far less from goofy chamber dimensions. While the .45 has long been plagued with oversized chambers and over or undersized chamber mouths. There are plenty of reasons not to choose the .45Colt in this platform and zero reasons for a handloader not to choose the .44Spl.

The .44Spl is also quite the historic cartridge. Its parents are the .44S&W American and the .44 S&W Russian, both of which preceded the .45Colt by a few years. Three years before Colt had it's .45 SAA, S&W already had a big bore centerfire cartridge and a military contract. The first big bore cartridge sixgun was not a Colt .45, it was a S&W .44! Even Colt's first big bore cartridge sixgun was not a .45, but a .44! S&W negotiated a contract with the Russian government and they liked their .44 but wanted an inside lubed bullet. So the .44American case was stuffed with an inside lubed bullet and the .44Russian was born. The first .44 that was actually a .43. Then in 1907 S&W lengthened the Russian case and introduced their finest sixgun/cartridge to date when they brought about the .44S&W Special in their First Model Hand Ejector or Triple-Lock model. A perfectly balanced cartridge for the S&W N-frame, Colt New Service and Colt Single Action Army revolvers. Then, of course, due in no small part to the writings and urgings of John Lachuk, Elmer Keith and others, the case was lengthened again to become the infamous .44Mag. That history, coupled with 80yrs of writings from folks like Elmer Keith, John Lachuk, Skeeter Skelton, John Taffin and Brian Pearce and the .44Spl is more popular today than ever before.

So yes, the .45Colt is a very historically significant cartridge but so is the .44 Special. ;)
 
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