Ruger Vaquero Birdshead quality

[davers]

Hey Gang. As luck would have it, I was in the gun shop the other day purchasing a Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp Talo, black, and I spotted the Ruger Vaquero Birdshead stainless in .45 LC. Man oh man what a gun!! I went back today and I must say I was pretty disappointed in what could be the quality of the finish of the gun, or in how the shop allows people to handle their guns, but I'm not sure. The grip on the right side was all messed up! Looks as if someone with a ring on their finger kept grabbing it to practice their "quick draw". The barrel had a hair-line scratch on one side about an inch long. Same thing on the right side frame. The cylinder looked as if it had been rolled across something that gave it these tiny little scratches all around it. There was also a "line" of scratches on the cylinder that looks like it could have come from someone sliding the gun across the gun counter maybe? It looked used. Asking price was just over $600 bucks, and they were going to sell to me for $585 I think they guy said. Turned it down...I want my new guns new.

Also looked at the stainless vaquero in .357. The finish was terrible. The inside of the gate had a yellowish tint to it and it wasn't a mirror finish. It also didn't "click" when you opened the gate. It just kind of opened and closed without any kind of index or clicking noise...if you know what I mean. The face of the cylinder also looked like it hadn't been properly finished. I'm very disappointed. I had hoped to pick up that little Birdshead Vaquero and it almost made me sick to see how abused it looked and it hadn't even left the shop yet.

I do have a question, is that what I can expect for the quality of the stainless finish on ruger handguns? I was going to maybe order one, but not if that's what I'm going to get. I also see Uberti and Cimmaron make Birdshead single action pistols in .45 Colt...but I don't particularly care for the firing pin being on the hammer and only being able to load 5 shells.

Thoughts?

Thanks for any input...suggestions...criticism.... etc!

Dave

 

[hipoint]

my security six is stainless and was not kept well at all before I got it. Even with severe neglect, the finish cleaned up nicely. Rugers make a nice product, but possibly the "older" stainless was better? I had a newer 10/22 stainless that rusted terribly (admittidely I did neglect it).

I have a couple blackhawks that are blued and they are beautiful, although in our humid climate I have to keep them literally slathered in oil and clean it off before I go shoot.

from my limited experience, I think the older models in stainless were of a better alloy than the new ones, but I haven't owned a new ruger pistol in stainless.

finish aside, ruger revolvers are top notch IMO. Just the fact that most reloading manuals have "ruger only loads" means alot to me.

 

[cpt-t]

davers; The condiction on the Birdshead SS Vaquero you described is not what my Son and I have experienced. We have several SS Vaquero`s even a Birdshead Grip SS and none of ours look like what you have described. RUGER makes top of the line guns IMHO. Do You think your LGS might be trying to sell you a used gun that has not been well cared for. I don`t think you can beat a RUGER.
ken

 

[TennJed]

I have an "old" model vaquero in 45 colt and a new model in 357 I bought this year. Both are stainless. I cannot tell a difference in finish quality. Both are top notch

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I do have a question, is that what I can expect for the quality of the stainless finish on ruger handguns? I was going to maybe order one, but not if that's what I'm going to get. I also see Uberti and Cimmaron make Birdshead single action pistols in .45 Colt...but I don't particularly care for the firing pin being on the hammer and only being able to load 5 shells.

Thoughts?

Thanks for any input...suggestions...criticism.... etc!

Dave

Just a note, if you do go with a Birdshead other than Ruger both the Uberti and cimmaron are the same revolvers since Uberti makes them for Cimmaron.

 

[CraigC]

I've bought three dozen Rugers over the years and have never encountered one like that. Sounds like a previous owner or some idiot in the shop has been playing with the birdshead and dropped it. Are these Vaqueros or New Vaqueros? A large frame Vaquero would be at least 8yrs old and is probably used.

 

[davers]

Hey CraigC...pretty sure it was a new vaquero...

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Much appreciated!

Dave

 

[Jim K]

Carefully point out the problems that make it a used gun and offer them $400.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

Stainless scratches WAY easier then a blued gun..


As an Aside, Cabala's in K.C.K. had a S&W 329 Scandium .44 Magnum when they first came out, and I wanted it BAD!

But it had been in & out of the glass showcase so many times it looked like an ax-murder had attacked it with a hatchet sometime at night while the store was closed!

I offered them a 'used gun' price several times, over several months.
And they laughed at me!

I tried to get them to order me a new in the box one.
And they laughed at me!
They said they would not order another one until they sold that one.

So:
Take any gun in and out of a glass showcase a few thousand times, ding it on the glass shelf edge a few hundred times, and let everyone who asks to look at it handle it a few million times?

Well, it's gonna look rode hard and put away wet before it ever gets sold.

But that is no indication of how the manufacture shipped it, in perfect condition.

rc

 

[CraigC]

Yep! I've had shops order me a new sample of something the had in stock because it had obvious shop wear. Personally, I also don't think new guns that spend a year on the gun show tour should be sold as "new".

 

[jcv]

I bought a NV birdshead in stainless last year from my lgs that had been on display behind the counter for a couple of months. Grips and finish were still perfect. I suspect the damage you saw was from rough handling outside the factory.

 

[Hondo 60]

is that what I can expect for the quality of the stainless finish on ruger handguns?

No! I bought 3 brand new Rugers over the last year and all were very nice in fit & finish.
Obviously that Vaquero had been around a while & had been abused.

 

[davers]

Good to know guys... but if I have to order one...now I can't decide between a Cimmaron Thunderer Stainless or the Ruger...

Dave

 

[Arkansas Paul]

No question if it were me. Ruger all the way.

 

[tubeshooter]

I like being able to load 6-up safely. I don't do CAS/SASS, at least not yet. My single actions are all "working man's guns".

Throw in Ruger's legendary customer service, and it is a no-brainer for me.



Some prefer authenticity over the transfer bar, and don't mind loading 5-up. A Cimarron or Uberti will also be marginally cheaper to buy (generally I believe), as well as not quite as tough and durable as a Vaquero. Of course the Ruger Blackhawk is in a whole other league as far as tough and durable, but that's not the item in question.



So it really depends what you are wanting. As stated, I personally would choose Ruger and I'm going to get a New Vaq (regular, not Bisley) ASAP.