Ruger Vaquero in .44 mag Pricing?

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wankerjake

wankerjake

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A friend of mine has a Ruger Vaquero in .44mag that he is thinking about replacing with something in .357. Anybody know what a fair price would be for him to sell it at? I believe he has the box and original paperwork, and he is the original owner of the pistol.
 
If I'm not mistaken your unlikely to find a new Vaquero .44 mag because the new Vaqueros are now made on a smaller frame and are not .44 mag capable. A Vaquero in .44 magnum is an older Vaquero built on the older heavier frame.
 
If I'm not mistaken your unlikely to find a new Vaquero .44 mag because the new Vaqueros are now made on a smaller frame and are not .44 mag capable. A Vaquero in .44 magnum is an older Vaquero built on the older heavier frame.
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Yeah, that is what I was thinking too, didn't know if they are hard to find or not.

it sure doesn't help your friend that buds and other online sites have them for 400 or so NIB.
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I just looked at Bud's gun shop and they don't have any vaqueros in .44mag. They have .357's and .45LC's for $490. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spot?
 
Are you looking to buy it?

The only reason I'd buy that gun is if I had a CAS setup all in .44 Special/Magnum.

If you can find someone with that, they may really want it.

Otherwise, the gun never made a whole lot of sense, which is one reason Ruger went to the smaller frame. There was more demand for Colt-like handling than legendary Ruger beef, and little demand for a .44 Magnum cowboy gun.

But, you never know what collectors go ga-ga over.
 
That .44 Magnum would be the "old" Vaquero built on the Blackhawk frame. By "old", I don't mean per-73.
As far as the .44 Mag gun, about $300-$350 should be right, assuming the gun is in good shape. He can alway ask more or put it on consignment at a gun shop.

Anyway, I just paid $375 for a slightly used New Vaquero .357 Magnum (5½" barrel, blued and "case hardened finish). Nice gun!
 
They are fairly hard to find new as the 44 mag was discontinued. Most I've seen have been over $400 nib.

I really love mine.
 
Are you looking to buy it?
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Not really, I want a .44mag but not out of a vaquero. I'd get a blackhawk or a smith. I figured that is why they discontinued them. Thanks for the input guys!
 
Wankerjake, I'll try to help you with an educated " guesstimate " on the ballpark value of your friend's Vaquero, based on your replies ( if you know ) :

Was he the original owner ?
Is it new & unfired by him ?
If used / fired, what is the overall condition of metal and wood finish ?
Condition of bore, rifling, crown & chambers ?
Lock up fairly tight with good timing ?
Screw slot condition ?
Any known problems, inside or out ?
Any idea of amount of use it has seen ?
All original parts ?
Stainless or color case hardened ?
What is the barrel length ?

Obviously, condition will play a major role . Type of finish and bbl length will affect the price as well. Stainless pieces bring more and usually, the shorter 5 1/2 " & especially, the 4 5/8 " bbls bring more than the 7 1/2 " models.
 
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He didn't answer his phone, but I believe the barrell is the 5 1/2 in. and it is blued. He is the original owner. Last time I saw it the wood and metal were in great shape, and it functioned perfectly. All parts are original, the bore and crown should both be great, he hasn't fired it a whole lot. I would guess 300 rounds tops. He'll know better, but he wants to get rid of it because he never shoots it. If it is in the same shape I saw it last I would call it like new condition, but I don't know how exactly to rate them (i.e. 95%, 98%). I'll keep trying him. Hope this helps for now.
 
From what you tell me & how you describe it, it's my opinion, based on local observations, internet transactions, and a 2009 gun trader values book, that revolver should bring $ 375.
 
WankerJake,
I might be interested in buying it. I've been looking for a 4 5/8 inch barrel, can you check on the length?
Thanks,
G
 
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