Ruger 3.75" Vaqueros with bird's head grip
- Thread starter JellyJar
- Start date
- Status
I don't know how many were made but as of a day or so ago there are some blued ones available from the distributor Davidson's (started at 34 guns and counting down). Hope the link works for you.
http://www.galleryofguns.com/Genie/...Revolver&cal=45LC&fin=All&sit=Fixed&pid=&inv=
Another distributor (forget who) had an advertising campaign after their discontinuance which I believe said that they had bought the last 500 each of blued and stainless. Clearly about 34 of the blued ones somehow missed the cut or else were made up of parts much more recently. I just saw a very pristine blued one at a gun show just a week and a half ago.
I do believe they were all .45 Colt. They made at least a few .357 Birdsheads but those had 4 5/8 inch barrels.
http://www.galleryofguns.com/Genie/...Revolver&cal=45LC&fin=All&sit=Fixed&pid=&inv=
Another distributor (forget who) had an advertising campaign after their discontinuance which I believe said that they had bought the last 500 each of blued and stainless. Clearly about 34 of the blued ones somehow missed the cut or else were made up of parts much more recently. I just saw a very pristine blued one at a gun show just a week and a half ago.
I do believe they were all .45 Colt. They made at least a few .357 Birdsheads but those had 4 5/8 inch barrels.
Kernel
Member
There were some in .44 Mag & .32 Mag, as well. No idea what the actual production numbers were. The .32's were, technically, a Single-Six derivative.
45LC only available
You can still get them, but only at Friends of the NRA banquet auctions. They are limited edition guns only available to NRA members. I bid on one the other day but I got outbid due to my not bringing enough cash (argh!). So, if you want one, buy a ticket to the next Friends of the NRA banquet auction and be sure to bring a big wad of cash. Good luck! http://www.friendsofnra.org
P.S. Stainz quoted a cheap price for the Vaqueros. The bidding ended up at $1000.00 for the Friends of the NRA Limited Edition Ruger Vaquero matched set (2 guns). I did not bring $1000.00 in cash so I did not win the auction.
You can still get them, but only at Friends of the NRA banquet auctions. They are limited edition guns only available to NRA members. I bid on one the other day but I got outbid due to my not bringing enough cash (argh!). So, if you want one, buy a ticket to the next Friends of the NRA banquet auction and be sure to bring a big wad of cash. Good luck! http://www.friendsofnra.org
P.S. Stainz quoted a cheap price for the Vaqueros. The bidding ended up at $1000.00 for the Friends of the NRA Limited Edition Ruger Vaquero matched set (2 guns). I did not bring $1000.00 in cash so I did not win the auction.
Last edited:
Stainz
Member
The Vaquero BHG was made in .357M and .45 Colt. The .32 was actually an SSM. All were available in 4.62" barrel; only the .45 Colt was made in 3.75". They had a tendency to have the flush cut base pin jump from it's retaining groove - and the shortened ejector rod wouldn't clear the empties. The 4.62" variant, only 7/8" longer, has a normal length base pin and ejector rod. I've shot two of the 3.75" BHGs and both had to periodically have that base pin reseatted (It's the axle the cylinder revolves on - and secures it, as well.).
I had the .357M & .45 BHG - and an SSM. I also had a .44 BHG - but I had to make it. I fitted a QPR BHG in the raw to a new 4.62" SBH - fun revolver. Heaviest of the bunch, and the roll in recoil ended with the hammer in your hand with Magnums. I shot mainly Specials and Russians - even black powder - from it. I sold or traded them all away last year. I believe Ruger dropped the BHG when they dropped the shortened Blackhawk gripframe, also found on the .32 SSM. Poor sales - and the fact that their hammer spring coil lock wouldn't fit - probably resulted in the BHG's demise.
The .458 Lott cartridge wouldn't fit (I had a Ruger #1H in .458 Lott - why, I'll never know!). The BHGs were fun - but I lost interest in SAs - and tired of poorly made Rugers. They all needed help when they were new. I thought the SSM was the worst... then I got a 4" .32 SP-101. The SSM was $269 - the .45 Colt was $349 - on closeout. They all were 4.62", SS, and had black Micarta grips. The .357M was the first to go. Fun - for a while. The 3.75" BHG was 'cute'.
Stainz
I had the .357M & .45 BHG - and an SSM. I also had a .44 BHG - but I had to make it. I fitted a QPR BHG in the raw to a new 4.62" SBH - fun revolver. Heaviest of the bunch, and the roll in recoil ended with the hammer in your hand with Magnums. I shot mainly Specials and Russians - even black powder - from it. I sold or traded them all away last year. I believe Ruger dropped the BHG when they dropped the shortened Blackhawk gripframe, also found on the .32 SSM. Poor sales - and the fact that their hammer spring coil lock wouldn't fit - probably resulted in the BHG's demise.
The .458 Lott cartridge wouldn't fit (I had a Ruger #1H in .458 Lott - why, I'll never know!). The BHGs were fun - but I lost interest in SAs - and tired of poorly made Rugers. They all needed help when they were new. I thought the SSM was the worst... then I got a 4" .32 SP-101. The SSM was $269 - the .45 Colt was $349 - on closeout. They all were 4.62", SS, and had black Micarta grips. The .357M was the first to go. Fun - for a while. The 3.75" BHG was 'cute'.
Stainz
Kernel
Member
I always wished Ruger had done a .22 LR/.22 Mag Single Six with an aluminum birds's head grip (I know they never brought out a BHG in Al). Recoil wouldn't of been a problem, since there is no significant recoil in a rimfire.
Aluminum ejector rod housing. Adjustable sights. Make the barrel 3.75". The whole thing stainless, of course.
Lighten things up, to make for a better kit gun. I wonder if with these mods you could get a Single Six to down under 28 oz?
Aluminum ejector rod housing. Adjustable sights. Make the barrel 3.75". The whole thing stainless, of course.
Lighten things up, to make for a better kit gun. I wonder if with these mods you could get a Single Six to down under 28 oz?
Stainz
Member
You can get down to your 28 oz with a current S&W #63 - a 5" J-frame. Then you have DA-capability - and 8-shot capacity. It comes with a small grip - you can replace it with a boot grip, close to the BHG in size, or a larger grip - as in my 63 below, which sports the Hogue square conversion monogrip. My carpal tunnel problems seem to be aggravated by the ball-like BHG, my main reason to suddenly tire of them.
The above rubber grip is an oddity for me - I have bought mostly wood aftermarket grips. The Ahrends Retro Targets on the K-frame 10-shot 617 is probably my favorite - and most comfortable - grip now. The BHG, initially comfortable, tired my hand quickly - and I even would get that CTS 'electric shock' in my wrist/hand that would release my grip. As the revolver rotated, it's weight would be borne by my trigger finger in the trigger guard. I reasoned, possibly in a paranoid state, that the SA could go off, if the hammer was back, and that the weight could trip the trigger. The muzzle, in such case, could be pointed down to back at my foot, not a comforting thought. That - and the discomfort - ended the BHG's reign here. Yeah, there was that general disgust at the lacking of QC at Ruger, too - and their nearly over sized chamber IDs, etc.
Stainz
The above rubber grip is an oddity for me - I have bought mostly wood aftermarket grips. The Ahrends Retro Targets on the K-frame 10-shot 617 is probably my favorite - and most comfortable - grip now. The BHG, initially comfortable, tired my hand quickly - and I even would get that CTS 'electric shock' in my wrist/hand that would release my grip. As the revolver rotated, it's weight would be borne by my trigger finger in the trigger guard. I reasoned, possibly in a paranoid state, that the SA could go off, if the hammer was back, and that the weight could trip the trigger. The muzzle, in such case, could be pointed down to back at my foot, not a comforting thought. That - and the discomfort - ended the BHG's reign here. Yeah, there was that general disgust at the lacking of QC at Ruger, too - and their nearly over sized chamber IDs, etc.
Stainz
Kernel
Member
Yeah, I always liked the model 63. 5" is kinda long. A shorter barrel would make for a better kit gun IMO. Maybe one day S&W will again offer the option of a 3" or 4".
Then there's always the 317 Air Lite. I KNOW it's under 28 oz (more like 12 IIRC). I really like the pre-safety ones with the simple black sights. Not a big fan of the Hi-vis sights or that god awful vee-notch thing the new ones have.
Then there's always the 317 Air Lite. I KNOW it's under 28 oz (more like 12 IIRC). I really like the pre-safety ones with the simple black sights. Not a big fan of the Hi-vis sights or that god awful vee-notch thing the new ones have.
- Status
