New Vaquero Pawl Style for "Half-Cock Kit"

[Jackal1]

I am thinking of installing the Power Custom "Half-Cock Kit" into a New Vaquero.

With the kit at half-cock, will a free-spin pawl make contact with the cylinder and produce clicks as the cylinder rotates, or is an old-style pawl required to make contact?
Thank you!

 

[Varminterror]

In a New Vaquero, the RIP will still make contact, still make clicks, and still only allow travel in one direction. The half cock hammer really doesn’t do anything more than create the sensation of one more click on cocking.

 

[Mizar]

The pawl, regardless of which type - Power Custom, Ruger new style, or old style, will contact and index the cylinder at half-cock. You can clearly see that by advancing the stock hammer to a somewhat half-cock position with your thumb. As Verminterror already pointed out, why do you want a half-cock hammer on that revolver? The cylinder is already properly indexing for loading/unloading by the small plunger in the frame.

 

[Jackal1]

As a kid I had a toy SAA that had very realistic (loud) cylinder ratchet clicks and I desire a firearm having the same sound. I like the Vaquero quality more than the Uberti, but the Ruger's quiet ejector alignment plunger sours my childhood memories. I am seeking to figure out if the Power Custom half-cock kit provides the Ruger quality I like combined with the sound I want (I would remove the Vaquero ejector alignment plunger). From what I read here, it sounds like I may have found the correct combination.

 

[CraigC]

The Power Custom kit is very good indeed. The parts are actually better made than factory Ruger parts. However, I really don't see the utility in installing them in a New Vaquero. It adds a click but it doesn't really make it feel like a Colt. I bought a set to put in my Bisley .44Spl but that was to get rid of the stainless parts, have them color case hardened and ditch the RIP altogether when I have the whole gun rebuilt and gussied up.

The modern Uberti's are very good guns with better fit & finish than Ruger.

 

[Pat Riot]

In my experience adding things like this sometimes results in additional or new problems. But, it is your gun to do with as you please.

Have you considered just buying a clone and leaving your Ruger as is?

 

[sgt127]

Playing card in the spokes perhaps?



I get what you mean though, the little clicks are part of a SA fun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Doesn't everyone want to hear the C O L T clicks when they cock the hammer on their S.A. revolver?

 

[J-Bar]

Half-cock modifications for a Ruger single action revolver are the solution to a problem that does not exist. Spend that much to hear a click? Really?

It does not improve accuracy or trigger function.

Not for me.

 

[CraigC]

The half cock modification is a solution to a problem that DOES exist, that of the chambers properly indexing with the loading port, just not in the New Vaquero. It does improve the trigger significantly.

 

[J-Bar]

I cannot comment on the new Vaquero, I don’t own any. I presently have old vaqueros and single sixes, and several ROAs. I see no need for a half cock in cowboy action competition. If the OP wants to spend his money on a half cock that’s fine with me. I look forward eagerly to an objective before and after comparison of revolver function (accuracy and times) with this modification.

I am all for personal freedom. If the OP wants to gold plate his gun and have diamonds set in the barrel, cool! But if it is claimed that a modification improves function, I want to see experimental data, not anecdotes.

 

[CraigC]

I got the set when they first came out, probably 20yrs ago. It does improve function. It's a significant pain in the posterior to load/unload a New Model when you have to physically hold the chambers in line with the loading port AND look at it while doing it. The half cock modification not only makes it physically easier but you can do it without looking at it. Your eyeballs can look somewhere else, like wherever your ammo is. Much quicker in both operations.

 

[J-Bar]

God forbid that you should have to look at what you are doing. Wow.

 

[CraigC]

God forbid that you should have to look at what you are doing. Wow.

God forbid you should actually notice the difference between manipulating a Colt SAA or Ruger Old Model and a New Model. It's a big difference. In fact, it was enough of a complaint that Ruger fixed it with the New Vaquero's "reverse indexing pawl". So I guess I'm not the only one. If you don't think it's a problem, then the solution is easy.

 

[J-Bar]

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree.

I know from your other posts that you are an experienced pistolero and I respect that. My opinion is based on one type of competition. I don't really care if the OP spends his money on a half-cock, a bipod, wheels, tractor treads, red dot sights or whatever, on his revolver. Good for him if he can afford it. I still don't think a half cock modification on any Ruger revolver confers a competitive advantage in terms of increased accuracy or functioning during firing. If you can provide experimental evidence that I am wrong, I will order them tomorrow!

 

[CraigC]

Who said anything about CAS? In CAS matches, does one reload revolvers on the clock? If not and you don't mind the way a New Model indexes, then I guess you don't need it. I run my guns fast and it makes a difference to me.

 

[Pat Riot]

The original Vaquero needs to be indexed in place for unloading. The New Vaquero does not. The New Vaquero lines up perfectly for unloading and reloading, it’s the older models that you have to hold the cylinder in place.

I have both.

 

[rbernie]

I don't really care if the OP spends his money on a half-cock, a bipod, wheels, tractor treads, red dot sights or whatever, on his revolver. Good for him if he can afford it. I still don't think a half cock modification on any Ruger revolver confers a competitive advantage in terms of increased accuracy or functioning during firing.

Then why are you pooping all over the OP? If it's not your cup of tea, just move on. No need to berate those who want different things than yourself.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Having installed Power Custom Half Cock hammer in three 'original model' Vaqueros, I can tell you they do not quite replicate the four clicks of a Colt. There are only three clicks, not four. There is no 'safety cock' position as there is with a Colt hammer. So you get three clicks. Half Cock (the loading position) the second click when the bolt pops up against the cylinder, and then full cock.

Why did I spend the money on the half cock hammers? Because I was annoyed at having to go around again if I rotated the cylinder slightly too far so that the hand popped into the next cylinder ratchet tooth, making it impossible to load that chamber without going around again. I did not buy them for the sound.

Nobody said anything about Half Cock hammers improving accuracy.

No, I cannot remember the last time we did a reload on the clock in CAS, I just got tired of having to go around again every time I rotated the cylinder a teeny bit too far.

Here is a photo of one of my 'original model' Vaqueros with the hammer at the half cock position and a chamber lined up for loading.






I ain't gonna comment on wanting to modify a revolver to hear the clicks, but if you want to duplicate the sound of a Colt, the Power Custom hammer only goes part way, not quite all the way.

I have several New Vaqueros, and with the plunger in the frame that indexes the cylinder perfectly for every chamber, I did not see the need to invest in the Half Cock hammers.

 

[CraigC]

I agree, DWJ. It adds a click but it will never have the feel of a Colt SAA or replica.