Non-historic Vaquero ??

[Grayrock]

I'm getting interested in cowboy action shooting and was perusing the forums over at SASS.net. A bunch of people mention how good the Rugers are, but in the same breath swear they will never own one because they are so historically incorrect. What is up with that? To my untrained eye a Vaquero looks a lot like a Colt SAA. I must be wrong, though. Seems to me that the Rugers are better, due to the safety sysytem they utilize. Also, how do they differ dimensionally? I see grips advertised that say they will fit Colt SAA and clones, but not Vaqueros. Can someone educate me about this? I gotta figure ought what I'm going to purchase this spring/summer when "gun gettin time" gets here.

 

[Josey]

Simple. The Ruger is bigger in every area. I began CAS with ASM/AWA Peacekeepers in 357 Magnum. OK, but. I wasn't comfortable with the grips. I tried a Remington pistol. I liked it. I tried a couple of Rugers, I bought three! A matched pair in 44-40 Vaquero form. I also bought a 44 Magnum SBH. I traded the 44 Magnum off though. I am keeping my 44-40 RVs. They hit where I point. The frames are heavy duty, the internals are durable and they are the best value for the money. I added locking basepins from Belt Mountain to mine. There have been many mods done since then. I still want a Colt SAA in nickel in 44-40. I can buy two Rugers in stainless steel for the same money though. If you are big handed, buy Rugers. They are comfortable. If you just have to have smaller grips, look at the Rugers with birds head grips or the Ruger in 32 H&R Magnum. Rugers do not fit in Colt/clone sized leather either. Rugers are the pink bunny of CAS. They just keep going BOOM!

 

[Jim March]

It's not just size and toughness.

The Vaqs use the Ruger "New Model" action, which has a transfer bar safety. More importantly, the loading drill is completely different from an SAA or true clone like most of the Italians, the USFAs and the like.

On a true SAA pattern, you reload by:

1) Half-cock the hammer;

2) Open the loading gate;

3) At this point the cylinder bores will line up with the loading gate on each "click" as you spin the cylinders.

4) Empty it, then load one, skip one, load four, lower the hammer. That leaves the hammer down on the empty sixth cylinder bore.

You load it "five up" only because there is NO safety on a true SAA pattern gun.

On a Ruger, you leave the hammer down, open the loading gate, have at it - and go ahead and load six if you want, it won't go bang if you drop it or jar the hammer.

Problems with the Ruger: the cylinder bores click when the bores are NOT aligned with the loading gate, and if you spin too far you have to go all the way 'round again to get that one. Which is why Power Custom sells tons of $35 freewheel conversion pawls (cylinder then spins both ways) or this same "freewheel conversion" is done by many gunsmiths, such as Linebaugh, Bowen, Stroh, etc.

On the Ruger, it's also trickier to set up the gun five-up with the empty under the hammer. But with the automatic safety, you don't need to, right? You do at a SASS/CAS match - the rules permit five-up carry ONLY - so as not to put real SAAs at a disadvantage over the Rugers, Bounty Hunters, Stampedes and other such "old looking, newer innards" guns.

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The USAF Rodeo (and their cosmetically higher-end cousins) were designed from the ground up as CAS/SASS "ultimates". The sights are as good as are allowed in the SAA's fixed-sight class, the loading/operating drill is identical to a real SAA, the quality is first rate, the size and handling is very close to the SAA except that the cylinder is a fraction oversize to give a bit of protection to handloaders without going all the way to Ruger levels.

The Rugers however are NOT badly behind as CAS/SASS games guns (esp, with the freewheel conversion which is match-legal) and are worlds ahead as general field/ranch guns.

 

[Majic]

Rugers are great and known for their toughness, but the toughness is not needed in CAS. The Rugers are bigger and heavier also. The Colt and it's true clones balance better for me. Try them all and make your own decisions.

 

[Stainz]

The SASS folk have an interesting interpretation of 'historically appropriate' firearms - all supposedly pre-1900 vintage. The Rugers are 'grandfathered' due to their availability during the CAS-craze beginnings. Oddly, so are several modern chamberings, such as .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and .44 Magnum, albeit all in reduced power 'Cowboy' loads. Very few SA period revolvers are being made today in the period correct .44 Russian, for example. Of course, the 1935 .357 Magnum and later .44 Magnum chamberings are widely available.

Interestingly, the 'Cowboy loads' of today, like the 250gr LRNFP .45 Colt, hit 850-875 fps from a 5.5"-7.5" barrel revolver. The old blackpowder loads in the 'real' guns would tickle 1,000 fps in the 7.5" barrel by comparison. they were intended to take the life of two and four legged varmints... today's 'Cowboy loads' are destined to ring a steel plate, which is a lot of fun in it's own right.

The SASS also are rifle-caliber/style sensitive as well. They banned the excellent Henry .44Magnum 'Big Boy', for example, because it wasn't a remake of an old design... not because it was chambered for the 1955 S&W/Remington round, as so many of the SASS-legal lever guns are! Ah, but I do not fault the SASS - someone must set rules and standards - lines must be drawn somewhere. Retaining the Ruger Vaquero's legal status is a real step towards safety - they are, indeed, safe SA revolvers. I think a SAA with six aboard is similar to a Glock with one in the chamber today.

The hobby is interesting... but, alas, I cannot see me in those clothes, although I have no doubt they make them large enough! Get to a CAS event... you'll enjoy the trip, the shooting, and the comradery. Just don't expect to hear a real name...

Stainz

 

[TallPine]

I'm just a wee bit disappointed in my Vaquero, just because of the extra weight and size. I do not have small hands.

But it is a great gun, and hits POA if I do my part and don't flinch and pull it down with the trigger. I have the best luck shooting fairly quickly, letting the sights drop onto the target and squeezing off - don't try to hold still, just squeeze as the sights come on target.

In retrospect, I probably should have bought a Blackhawk instead for carrying hot loads in the woods (bear country), and then bought a true SAA clone to play around with. (then I would have to be damn careful with my ammo to not get it mixed up)

But for one gun that does everything, the Vaquero is great.

 

[RatFink]

Ruggers are great pistols, very well built if you want to shoot high power loads. but as pointed out by others, it's not needed for cowboy shoots.

My personal taste is that the grips on a SAA or a good clone are much more comfortable, in fact My Cimarron Arms 4 3/4 P model is my favorite plinker now, this thing is just fun to shoot. I think I'm gonna get one of the Cimarron Arms lightnings next in .38 spl.

 

[Dr.Who]

I looked at them all 7 year ago, there were not the number of clones there are now. I bought a pair a ss Rugers in 357. In my big hands and with cowboy loads, it is easy to bring them back to target. I'm glad I got them. Toyed with buy the Colt Cowboy 3's when they were anounced. Gun shop around here was taking ordr for 479.00 a piece. Should of for the invesment... But I'll still be shoot'n my Ruger's. Now I'm Think'n of getting a pair of bisley's.

If you like the way the Ruger's feel and shoot. Get them. They are SASS Legal. Not 100% period correct, but my veiw was they are safer than the originals and they are tough.