Ruger New Vaquero

Wow, looks nice! Congratulations!

 

I like my New Vaquero 45 Colt and shot some of Brian Pearce's Tier II #270 loads in it. His article claimed that they were ok.

NMV by dickydalton posted May 29, 2021 at 8:34 PM

 

For a range gun, I think you'd be better served by something with adjustable sights.

How about a S&W 625 non-mountain gun? 5" barrel and adjustable sights in 45 ACP? We can meet up and you can try mine, if you want.

Or a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull? (and be able to shoot 45 Colt)
https://ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/specSheets/5505.html

...or a Super Blackhawk Bisley in 454?
https://ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkBisley/specSheets/0871.html

...or a regular old blued Blackhawk in 45 Colt with the 4.6" barrel?
https://ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkBlued/specSheets/0445.html

If you want something pretty, how about a Cimarron like I just put on layaway at one of our local shops?
https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/m...ion-45-colt-5-1-2-in-snake-inlay-rh-side.html

 

On my New Vaquero(s) I stay within SAAMI specs snd with heavier bullets SAAMI specs can feel pretty stout. …to me.
I only have one New Vaquero now but have owned 3 others. When I bought my first 2 in 2005 I called Ruger and talked with a gent that told me “The New Vaqueros are not built as stout as the original Vaqueros. Ruger always recommends customers stay within SAAMI specs but we know people do not do that with certain models of our revolvers. I highly recommend you do with your New Vaqueros.” (Paraphrased -those may not have been his exact words, but they’re close)
I have followed that recommendation since.

 

I do love my New Vaquero, it’s what started me reloading & that really opened the doors to exploring all sides of the sport. It took me quite a while before I could hit what I was aiming at but I put the time in & got it figured out now. I do like the balance with the shorter barrel, & would like to try a birdshead out-I like the look.

My Lone Ranger rounds loaded up

 

My New Vaquero’s. I’ve had them several years and they are really nice SA revolvers. 3 1/2” birds head and 4 5/8” plow handle. The Birdshead is my favorite, but I like both.

 

From the earlier post, it sounds like maybe your Vaquero CAN shoot +Ps. What does the manual say?

 

Very nice revolver. I would be happy with standard velocity .45 Colt loads as a woods gun just improve over Cowboy RNFP’s with a good wide nosed semi-Wadcutter.

 

Note on bird's head grips:

There was a 38 special SA revolver model for sale a year or two ago that was a 7/8 size SAA with 3.5" (IIIRC) barrel and bird's head grips. Various sellers on GB had it in stock. I was pretty sure I wanted one.

None of the local places rented or sold SA revolvers with bird's head grips, but I thought I should shoot one to see how they worked with my hands.

So I bought a little 3.5" 22lr Heritage Rough Rider with bird's head grips for really cheap.

I couldn't shoot it worth squat. Those grips don't work for me.

I just ordered a new grip frame and grips from Heritage, and now I have a 3.5" 22lr that's really fun to shoot.

It would have been very annoying if I'd purchased the 38 special instead.

Just a work-around idea, if anyone has bird's head fever out there.

 

Interesting, I find the birdshead easier and more accurate to shoot than the plow handle because it doesn’t roll in your hand. It gives more of a straight push than the typical cowboy gun “roll”. If I had to send one on its way and keep just one, I would definitely keep the birdshead. Some folks can’t get past the look as we are trained by the movies. To each his own, I suppose.

 

I have the 3.75 stainless Vaquero in 44 mag. It's a handful, but a happy handful.

 

I bought a Birdshead original .45 Vaquero. I did not like it at all. I have big hands. It was awkward for me. It could be that the grips were to wide for a decent grip. They were thick. They seemed to push recoil right into my palm at the base of my thumb.

Like a dummy I sold the gun to Cabela’s without realizing I could have replaced the grip frame. Oh well, someone ended up with a nice shooter.

 

Success !!



I have HAD 3 Vaquero. Have managed to replace all 3 with 4 5/8" BLACKHAWK.

Had a birdhead Heritage .22, years ago. Couldn't hit a bucket at spitting distance. The grip felt awkward. Have shot the plow handle for 40 years, doubt I will change.

Now, to get that last Vaquero sold. Too bad, it is a good shooter and love that .45 ACP cylinder.


It is SOLD!!!!!!

Surprise! Good friend knew I was looking for a Blackhawk and wanted the Vaquero.
Seen I had gotten the Blackhawk and made asked. Gone to a good home and I can see it use, at future Cowboy shoots.

 

I enjoy mine.

 

In case anyone is interested, I emailed Ruger and inquired about fitting a 45acp cylinder to my 45 Colt New Vaquero. They replied that they will not do it unless it was originally a 45acp/45Colt convertible which mine was not.

 

Thanks for passing that on and confirming the rumours to that effect. I've just been too durn busy to call them myself.

 

Did you call anyone there? I would. Mine is a New Vaquero in .45 Colt. My GUN was not “originally a 45 ACP / 45 Colt convertible”, but if you look on the left side of the frame near the name roll mark and if it just says “.45 Cal.” It can have 2 cylinders, a .45 Colt and a .45 ACP. That is what I was told by Ruger CS.
I would talk to someone. Have your serial number handy.

Ruger Customer Service
(336) 949-5200

 

I purchased my nwe Ruger Bisley stainless in 45LC/45ACP a few years ago from a LGS and paid $700. Thats not a bad price now a days!

 

Absolutely. A whole different level of shooting enjoyment.

 

My Vaquero .45 wears a Bisley grip. I'm not fond of the traditional grip shape but i like the Bisley and found one.

 

What can I say, I like plow handle Blackhawk