I found a ANIB Birdshead Ruger Vaquero in .45LC at the local pawn shop yesterday and from inspection it appears to be in excellent condition. The Color Case finish looks very nice. I have only one SAA revolver and it was an inherited Colt so I have no experience in pricing SAA revolvers. The current asking price is $329, fair or too high for a used Ruger Vaq.? Is there any pros or cons to the Color Case finish? Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.
Ruger Vaquero questions
- Thread starter sarge83
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SouthpawShootr
Member
If it's in like new condition the price appears to be a good one.
I wouldn't do the color case as my first choice. I prefer the high gloss stainless. I absolutely hate the Ruger color case finish. First, it's not real color case hardening. I bought a Vaquero 4 5/8" with this finish. The gun was absolutely beautiful. Put it in my humidity controlled safe, right next to a couple of high polish blued S&Ws and the damn thing rusted inside of a week. The Smiths are still in the safe and still have never rusted. It rusted on the bluish-purple colors on the color case finish on two separate occasions. The gun was wiped down with an oiled guncloth after each handling and, although the colors came off with the rust, it didn't pit (the metal was smooth as a baby's bottom when I wiped the rust off). I talked to Ruger and they told me to send the gun in and they would reapply the finish for $25 (well not really $25, I still would have had to ship the gun to them). I had a local guy strip and refinish the gun in all blue. I'll shoot it until it falls apart (which should be a while by Ruger's rep), then I'll replace it with something else. Now this is a used gun, so you really don't have a choice with finish, so you got to make your own decision. I'm funny about my guns and rust.
I wouldn't do the color case as my first choice. I prefer the high gloss stainless. I absolutely hate the Ruger color case finish. First, it's not real color case hardening. I bought a Vaquero 4 5/8" with this finish. The gun was absolutely beautiful. Put it in my humidity controlled safe, right next to a couple of high polish blued S&Ws and the damn thing rusted inside of a week. The Smiths are still in the safe and still have never rusted. It rusted on the bluish-purple colors on the color case finish on two separate occasions. The gun was wiped down with an oiled guncloth after each handling and, although the colors came off with the rust, it didn't pit (the metal was smooth as a baby's bottom when I wiped the rust off). I talked to Ruger and they told me to send the gun in and they would reapply the finish for $25 (well not really $25, I still would have had to ship the gun to them). I had a local guy strip and refinish the gun in all blue. I'll shoot it until it falls apart (which should be a while by Ruger's rep), then I'll replace it with something else. Now this is a used gun, so you really don't have a choice with finish, so you got to make your own decision. I'm funny about my guns and rust.
joab
Member
I agree with Southpaw.
Good price, weak bluing
I have an Uberti Cattleman and the Vaquero.
They are stored right next to each other and receive the same lack of care.
The Uberti's finish is still pristine but the Ruger was constantly getting little spots of surface rust until i soaked it in RemOil and stored it in a rug.
The rust on the color case color is not very noticeable after it is rubbed out though, but I still know it was there
I would get the gun anyyway, it's a pretty good price
Good price, weak bluing
I have an Uberti Cattleman and the Vaquero.
They are stored right next to each other and receive the same lack of care.
The Uberti's finish is still pristine but the Ruger was constantly getting little spots of surface rust until i soaked it in RemOil and stored it in a rug.
The rust on the color case color is not very noticeable after it is rubbed out though, but I still know it was there
I would get the gun anyyway, it's a pretty good price
Mark8252
Member
Good Deal
Personally I like the case finish. I have a Vaquero in that finish in 357.
No problems.
Good price for a birdshead.
Personally I like the case finish. I have a Vaquero in that finish in 357.
No problems.
Good price for a birdshead.
With the price I got on the Vaquero, $329 out the door, I decided to take a chance on the color case finish and bought it yesterday. Haven't got to shoot it yet but can't wait for the rain to stop and hit the range. Thanks again for all your input and help I appreciate it!
As others have said the case hardened finish is weak. It is very sensitive to humidity and especially sensitive to sweaty hands.
I've got two Vaqueros and the finish on the frames of both of them rust if you just look at 'em wrong - well not that bad but I do have to clean 'em up every month or so.
$329 is a pretty good price though if you can put up with the finish.
I've got two Vaqueros and the finish on the frames of both of them rust if you just look at 'em wrong - well not that bad but I do have to clean 'em up every month or so.
$329 is a pretty good price though if you can put up with the finish.
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