fatguynlittlecoat
member
Is this a decent gun for self defense?
Ruger Bisley Vaquero .45LC for self defense?
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Jim March
Member
It's BIG but yeah, absolutely. Just gotta figure out how to pack it 
.
For ammo there's a really superb choice. Speer has a factory 45LC load involving a 250gr Gold Dot JHP, moving fairly slow. Under 1,000fps even if you have a 5.5" or more tube.
It's basically their 135gr 38Spl +P slug scaled WAY the hell up. Has a hollowpoint cavity like a shot-glass. Truly scary, but also very controllable.
I pack a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 daily. I'm considering converting it to 45LC mainly because of that Speer 250 slug.
.For ammo there's a really superb choice. Speer has a factory 45LC load involving a 250gr Gold Dot JHP, moving fairly slow. Under 1,000fps even if you have a 5.5" or more tube.
It's basically their 135gr 38Spl +P slug scaled WAY the hell up. Has a hollowpoint cavity like a shot-glass
. Truly scary, but also very controllable.I pack a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 daily. I'm considering converting it to 45LC mainly because of that Speer 250 slug.
DM Bullard and Mernickle both have very nice concealed carry holsters for SA Rugers.
sm
member
Yep.
I actually want one of these and defensive use is one of the tasks.
I actually want one of these and defensive use is one of the tasks.
22-rimfire
Member
I think it would make a fine revolver for home defense. I believe it a tad large for concealed carry, but I am not hard core concealed carry preson trying every little holster in an effort to fine the one that works for me. I just carry in my pocket typically and only religiously carry when I'm working at tenuous locations where I probalby should not be in the first place if I had a choice.
420Stainless
Member
At 3 lbs. its not exactly handy. Mine is very accurate and certainly would be a great weapon to have in a defensive situation. I used to carry it around the yard when in my overalls, but I would have a hard time concealing it in other manner of dress. Now I have a S&W 25-13 that serves that duty.
The sights, while good and rugged, are not easy to pick up in low light situations. At least not with my older eyes.
The sights, while good and rugged, are not easy to pick up in low light situations. At least not with my older eyes.
Ridgerunner665
Member
A bit of overkill IMO...but it would work.
Joe Gunns
Member
IMHO only carry a SA for defensive purposes if it is absolutely the firearm you know best and are the most proficient with. As others have said, the weight is an issue when carrying all day. Being familiar with SA's since birth they are my preferred weapon, but dang, the airweights are more comfy. :-/
Baba Louie
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Now if we could just convince Crimson Trace to make a few laser grips for them... old eyes could have a nice bright red dot to look at while thumbing back that hammer.
21st century hi-tech combined with 19th concept iron (ok... 20th century mfg really).
Maybe some blackpowder rounds to kinda scortch/sear the target's clothing and hair... makes me smile just to think about it.
That little Ruger Montado might be just the ticket, with or without a laser.
Burt Blade
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I have carried a Ruger Sheriff's Model in .45 Colt. Nice gun. It is big and bulky, so it tends to be CCW-suitable only for big and bulky people. Your best reload option is a J-frame .38 or some other pocket gun.
Self defense? Nope.
I have the new smaller version. I used to have the older Bisley .45. Grip posision and hammer much nicer than the old thumb buster version.It's fun to shoot at the range. Really enjoy it.
Now I would not carry it, to heavy for any kind of comfort at all. Single action may I say more unless your attacker is standing there waiting for you to pull back and shoot (pretty much, your gonna loose if the attacker is seriously going to try to shoot you first unless he carries a single action. He won't I gaurentee)
By the bed, I used to have a single action there but not any more with all the choices out there. Thought it was cool when I started out, it's what they used in the old westerns. Must be good enough for me, WRONG!
Remember, to protect yourself you need something fast, point and shoot.
Now if you shoot cowboy SAA, ya know.
I love the .45LC
To be honest look into a pistol if your life is depending on the real protection gun.
Again, I have one but the purpose is not for self defense. The bad guys carry pistols these days.
Different guns, different purposes. You'll get a lot of opinions and each person likes and is good with what ever it is they carry.
Me, as you have guessed my life is depending on a pistol. Much faster and more rounds.
Your choice.
I have the new smaller version. I used to have the older Bisley .45. Grip posision and hammer much nicer than the old thumb buster version.It's fun to shoot at the range. Really enjoy it.
Now I would not carry it, to heavy for any kind of comfort at all. Single action may I say more unless your attacker is standing there waiting for you to pull back and shoot (pretty much, your gonna loose if the attacker is seriously going to try to shoot you first unless he carries a single action. He won't I gaurentee)
By the bed, I used to have a single action there but not any more with all the choices out there. Thought it was cool when I started out, it's what they used in the old westerns. Must be good enough for me, WRONG!
Remember, to protect yourself you need something fast, point and shoot.
Now if you shoot cowboy SAA, ya know.
I love the .45LC
To be honest look into a pistol if your life is depending on the real protection gun.
Again, I have one but the purpose is not for self defense. The bad guys carry pistols these days.
Different guns, different purposes. You'll get a lot of opinions and each person likes and is good with what ever it is they carry.
Me, as you have guessed my life is depending on a pistol. Much faster and more rounds.
Your choice.
Hutch
Member
If that's all ya got, it beats the hell out of no gun at all. I have a pair of Bis-Queros in .44 that I occasionally shoot CAS with.
If you are going to buy a revolver for SD, why not choose a more conventional one?
If you are going to buy a revolver for SD, why not choose a more conventional one?
Cosmoline
Member
Nothing wrong with it other than the fact that it's huge and heavy. The round is a fantastic manstopper if you load it properly. Use a soft lead HP at medium veolcities. Not too fast to peel the lead back too far but fast enough to open it up. It beats the pants off most "conventional" SD cartridges from 9x19 to .45 ACP. Leaves them in the DUST.
Speed of presentation and firing is a matter of training. In the right hands there is NO FIREARM faster at launching that first all-important round from a draw than a single action revolver. Not that you have to be Munden. With a little training you will lose NOTHING to a punk with a sideway glock.
As far as the "no single actions for self defense" mantra it's a load of hogwash. Were it true, 1911's, BHP's and the many SA pistols out there would be inappropriate for self defense. It's simply a question of selecting the proper trigger springs. You don't want a hair trigger, but Ruger factory standards are more than heavy enough to prevent an AD. Plus unlike the SA pistols out there you have a big ol' HAMMER to hold onto if you need an extra margin of safety.
Speed of presentation and firing is a matter of training. In the right hands there is NO FIREARM faster at launching that first all-important round from a draw than a single action revolver. Not that you have to be Munden. With a little training you will lose NOTHING to a punk with a sideway glock.
As far as the "no single actions for self defense" mantra it's a load of hogwash. Were it true, 1911's, BHP's and the many SA pistols out there would be inappropriate for self defense. It's simply a question of selecting the proper trigger springs. You don't want a hair trigger, but Ruger factory standards are more than heavy enough to prevent an AD. Plus unlike the SA pistols out there you have a big ol' HAMMER to hold onto if you need an extra margin of safety.
Vern Humphrey
Member
It's better than a rock or a club. But, while I have two of them in .45 Colt, I would never think of carrying one for self defense -- there are just too many other smaller, lighter, flatter, more effective weapons.
For example an M1911 carries better, holds more ammo, reloads faster, and matches factory .45 Colt ballistics.
For example an M1911 carries better, holds more ammo, reloads faster, and matches factory .45 Colt ballistics.
Cosmoline said Munden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbklCvsoFRo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbklCvsoFRo
As others have said, I would not carry one for SD nor would I suggest someone else do it.
I would not fault those who do carry this way but there are so many better choices I think it's hard to justify.
I have 4 Ruger SA pistols and shoot on average around 300-400 rounds a month through them in CAS and practice for CAS.
"On the clock" I can put 5 shots on a 12" steel plate from about 25' in roughly 3-4 seconds from draw. But speed an accuracy are not everything - if I had to make those shots 1 handed the time would probably jump to 6-7 seconds. Making them with just my left hand would probably jump it to 8-9 seconds.
I would not fault those who do carry this way but there are so many better choices I think it's hard to justify.
I have 4 Ruger SA pistols and shoot on average around 300-400 rounds a month through them in CAS and practice for CAS.
"On the clock" I can put 5 shots on a 12" steel plate from about 25' in roughly 3-4 seconds from draw. But speed an accuracy are not everything - if I had to make those shots 1 handed the time would probably jump to 6-7 seconds. Making them with just my left hand would probably jump it to 8-9 seconds.
hey guys what is happening? John Merry here. First time on this page.
Fatguyinlittlecoat you have made a excellent in a all around carry gun. The Bisley vaquero is a top choice all around revolver since Ruger has tightened up the chambers the only think you will have to do is open up the chambers to accept hardcast bullets that is if you plan on shooting hardcast bullets. a couple
of suggestions would be a Belt Mountion base pin, a free spin pawl and to recut
the force cone to 11 degrees, That is if you want to, most gunsmiths can do this work for less then 150.00. I have this set up on my Vaquero and I can hit 12 inch targets at 100 yards with irregularity.
Now the great think about the full size Ruger .45s is you can drive 250gr bullets at 700 fps for a plinking load or use 325gr bullet at a little over 1300 fps that will kill any that walks in North America and with the Bisley gripframe the recoil is gravy.
Fatguyinlittlecoat you have made a excellent in a all around carry gun. The Bisley vaquero is a top choice all around revolver since Ruger has tightened up the chambers the only think you will have to do is open up the chambers to accept hardcast bullets that is if you plan on shooting hardcast bullets. a couple
of suggestions would be a Belt Mountion base pin, a free spin pawl and to recut
the force cone to 11 degrees, That is if you want to, most gunsmiths can do this work for less then 150.00. I have this set up on my Vaquero and I can hit 12 inch targets at 100 yards with irregularity.
Now the great think about the full size Ruger .45s is you can drive 250gr bullets at 700 fps for a plinking load or use 325gr bullet at a little over 1300 fps that will kill any that walks in North America and with the Bisley gripframe the recoil is gravy.
Cosmoline
Member
Just remember. Conventional wisdom will take a powder if you're ever in a life-or-death situation. Use what works best for you. If it's to be a carry piece, use what works best and what you will carry every day.
Welcome johnmerry
Welcome to The High Road johnmerry. Remember, new guy buys the ammo.
On the OP's question - I wouldn't choose a Ruger Bisley Vaquero for CCW, but the cartridge is a proven one and skill is more important than hardware.
Welcome to The High Road johnmerry. Remember, new guy buys the ammo.
On the OP's question - I wouldn't choose a Ruger Bisley Vaquero for CCW, but the cartridge is a proven one and skill is more important than hardware.
RobertFBurnett
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- Dec 17, 2007
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- 415
Shot Glass?! I just got some .45acp Gold Dots and they're freakin Hot Tubs...I needed a flashlight to see all the way to the bottom. I'm wondering how they claim 230grains with 90%+ weight retention when theres a giant 100grain hole in the middle?
Defend yourself with whatever your packin imho, light off some cap and ball and duck out in the cloud of smoke.
RFB
Jim March
Member
Step one: print out the evil grin smiley:
Step two: plaster the end of the ejector rod with putty epoxy.
Step three: apply evil grin smiley to end of said ejector rod.
Step four: apply nail polish to evil grin smiley.
Step five: enjoy the last look on a goblin's face when you point it at him...
Or make up your own personal design...
Step two: plaster the end of the ejector rod with putty epoxy.
Step three: apply evil grin smiley to end of said ejector rod.
Step four: apply nail polish to evil grin smiley.
Step five: enjoy the last look on a goblin's face when you point it at him...
Or make up your own personal design...
Cosmoline
Member
What do you mean? It wasn't that long ago that LEO's used single action revolvers for their jobs. Ever read Skeeter?
sm
member
Well...for me...Keep in mind I am over age 50, and I do share about gun fit to shooter and tools for tasks.
Rebel that I am, is just what I do, so sometimes I do not want to be like everyone else.
I want to give the perception I want to give off.
Just me, still a 45Colt revolver and 45Colt Rifle, for some property duty and some environments would be just dandy.
I might get a wild hair to ride horses more, or actually learn to drive a tractor...or ...
Older I get the more backwards I seem to go.
I often tote a old Model 94 in 30-30 and Single Shot 20 ga shotgun while in that old truck on property...
Then single actions are tough as nails and flat work, proven to do so.
I blame a girl too, as I have been whining , begging, groveling and doing my best "*ack*, *cough* *I'm sick* so I can shoot her single action revolver.
Granted nothing wrong with a .357 like hers and the rifle she has that shoots .357...
Just a 45 Colt is neater than all get out.
*makes sense now huh*
*grin*
Virginian
Member
I would say it would make an outstanding weapon for self defense, but not necessarily for concealed carry. I kept a loaded Blackhawk 357 in the house for 25 years and never felt undergunned.
A single action in 45 Colt has planted an awful lot of people.
A single action in 45 Colt has planted an awful lot of people.
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