Still need my single action...New Vaquero?

[Nightcrawler]

Well folks, I've got the funds now. It's time to buy my single action revolver at long last.

My dealer has Ruger Blackhawks on sale for $399, any barrel length or caliber, but that's not really what I'm looking for. I'm not looking for a hunting piece. I have a fixed-sight, more old-timey sixgun in mind. (.45 Colt chambering, of course.)

My opinions on this have changed in the last year or so, when I last pondered it. I still want a five and one-half inch barrel, though.

So, I ponder the following:

Ruger New Vaquero
This gun has a lot going for it. It can be had in stainless steel (my preferance...I tend to man-handle my guns a lot, and I like not having to worry about fingerprints), and in the barrel length I want. It's doesn't have the overlarge grip frame of the old Vaquero, and can be carried six-up (my preferance). The downshot? Still lacks a half-cock notch, I believe. I mean, they fixed the cylinder indexing so it's not so necessary, but I prefer the click-click-click-click on cocking. (After all, it's a fun gun.) The biggest asset to the Ruger is that I know it'll last practically forever, being a 20th century design using modern metallurgy.

Before, I was leaning heavily towards the US Firearms Rodeo, but the Ruger can be had for less and, with its six up carry and low-maintenance stainless finish, is to my mind the more practical working gun of thte two (all of my guns are working guns).

I've considered the Beretta Stampede, also, but if I'm not going to get an Authentic Colt or clone, and instead am going to opt for a modernized stainless single action with a transfer bar, I'd rather have a Ruger than an Uberti.

(Besides, a "modernized" sixgun will better compliment the "modernized" levergun, a Marlin possibly, that I'm going to get to go with it.)


So, who owns the Ruger New Vaquero, and how do you like it? While it's not as strong as a Blackhawk, I'm sure it'll take more abuse than a regular Colt, and that anything that a S&W 25-5 will handle, so will the Ruger. (Which is good for you hunters out there, as Corbon makes a 325 grain hard cast .45 Colt load, at 1050 feet per second, that was designed with the supposedly fragile S&W 25-5 in mind.)

Also, it doesn't have the half-cock notch, right? But the new cylinder indexing dealy they cooked up solves the troublesome reloading problems of Blackhawks, yes?

Does it point like a Colt?

How many clicks on cocking? (How many clicks does it take to get to the center... )

Oh, one last thing. I know fan-firing is a safety hazard for all but the most skilled of sixgun shooters, and is not recommended. It's also hard on a gun (though the Taurus Gaucho was strengthend with this in mind). But I've heard that this can damage Rugers especially. Why is that, exactly? Just curious.

Now, if Ruger would just make it with a .45ACP convertible cylinder, and if they'd make a bird's head version with a 3.5" barrel, we'd be all set...

 

[cortez kid]

The Vaquero is a great gun. Click, click, click will cost money today, somewhere at least $500 and up, fast. Go with the Vaquero and save up for an old model BH
kid

 

[Harbinger]

I can relate to your longing for an ACP cylinder for the Vaquero. I wanted one for a while, and finally found a convertible Vaquero with the 5 1/2" tube, and nice shiny stainless steel about 3 months ago. Ya can't help but pick it up every day and pretend you're a cowboy.

It doesn't point like a Colt. Hefting it up and comparing it to my Dad's is like night and day. I too am curious if the new Vaquero points and feels like a Colt, but even if it does......it ain't a Colt.

I know fanning is hard on any single action. I'm curious where you heard it so, especially for Rugers.

Good luck on your single action quest. I know you've been on it for a while.

 

[Old Fuff]

The problem with the half-cock notch is that if the trigger doesn't fully seat in the notch, but rests on the notch's leading edge, the revolver could go off while you were loading it if something bumped the hammer. All of this is unlikely, but it's part of the reason Bill Ruger designed the gun to be loaded while the hammer was fully down.

The traditional Colt pattern guns have three notches on the hammer face. First the safety notch (which as a secure safety doesn't work, therefore the hammer should be rested on an empty chamber) the half-cock notch (used for loading and unloading) and the full-cock notch. If, when you fire the trigger isn't pulled back far enough it can catch in either the half-cock or safety notches - and when it does the likely result is a chipped notch and broken trigger. This was fairly common with the 19th century Colt's and it isn't unusual to find them with bad notches and/or broken triggers. The Ruger is designed to only have one notch (the full-cock one) so the possibility of having other notches broken is eliminated.

Three of the four "clicks" you like come when the hammer passes the various notches. One occurs when the cylinder bolt is released and drops into place.

All of the revolvers you have in mind have good and bad features. Pick the one that has what you feel is most important. But none of them is perfect in all respects, so you will have to compromise somewhere.

 

[Souris]

Here is a link to a write-up from a cowboy action shooter.
New Vaquero

He shoots it and compares it to several other guns.
Hope it helps some.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Someone mentioned on here that the Ruger single actions were especially prone to damage through fanning. I don't know if that comes from Ruger simply trying to discourage it, as it can damage guns, or if the Ruger really is more vulnerable to damage this way. (One wouldn't think so.)

I'm beginning to think that perhaps the New Vaq is the right gun for me. It certainly seems to be the toughest, and while I don't usually abuse my guns I like to know that I could.

 

[slopemeno]

If memory serves (and were going *way* back here) the reason Rugers, in stock form anyway, dont do well with fanning is overrotation. When the hammer reaches near the end of its travel or therabout, the bolt locks up, the hand is pushing against the ratchet, but the hammer isnt quite bottomed out. Forcing the hammer past this point, to the end of its travel, is what causes damage. The guys who built dedicated quickdraw guns back in the day would limit hammer travel to correct this.

 

[Souris]

If you want the coil springs and solidness of the Ruger SA but must have the clicks of a Colt type SAA then there are conversion kits out there that will do that.
Here is a link to the
Power Custom page that has the kit for sale. Runs $100 -$150

 

[Dr.Rob]

I haven't handled the new ones, but the old model is slick... the 45lc/.45acp convertable that Davidson's carried was one I looked at many times... thing is I already had a .44... if I buy another Vaquero it's going to be a 5.5 inch .44mag.

 

[RonJon]

Too bad Colt discontinued the "Cowboy" Peacemaker too soon.

I bought this one (and my son also bought one) NIB at a clearance price of $425 OTD.

 

[Old Fuff]

.45 Vaquero W/ .45 ACP Cylinder

Maybe some of you guys should check this link.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=35485654

I know and recommend the seller.

 

[Harbinger]

Ooooohh, I could have twins...

 

[Old Fuff]

Gee, and I didn't even know about your ah ... well ... um ... a... condition.

 

[brickboy240]

I hate to throw a monkey into your decision, but have you looked at the new Taurus Gaucho single actions? I have handled a few and the fit and finish is very good. The gun magazines gave them great reviews and the targets shot with the Gaucho looked better than any target I ever shot with another single action revolver.

They do not have that awful "book" of writing on the barrel like the Rugersand come with a lifetime warranty.

Yeah...I know what you're thinking...Taurus? I was shocked at the quality and the price of these guns and think they're worth a look.

I am seriously considering picking up a Taurus Gaucho in 3257 as opposed to one of the new Vaqueros...I thought the feel and quality was better...who knew?

-Brickboy240

 

[Harbinger]

Old Fuff,
THOSE twins would cease to exist if the Mrs. discovers I've brought home another surprise.

 

[P. Plainsman]

They do not have that awful "book" of writing on the barrel like the Rugers and come with a lifetime warranty.

Yeah, but the big fat "TAURUS" logo is off-putting. Taurus needs to learn to tone that thing down for their historic clones like the Gaucho and their Winchester Model 63 .22 rifle clone.

As a result, I'd dispute whether the Gaucho has any cosmetic advantage over the New Vaq, but otherwise the Gaucho looks like an interesting gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

Harbinger:

Well twins would be a bit of a suprise.

Many years ago a friend proudly showed me his new Browning over/under, that at the time sold for around $600.00 ... "and it only cost me 12 grand," he told me.

"TWELVE GRAND..." I exclaimed. "That's twice the regular price ... You got ripped up pretty bad."

"No," he answered. "The second $600 went for a new living room carpet ..."

 

[brickboy240]

The things that impressed me about the Taurus Gaucho were the finish and the trigger/action.

I have had my Uberti worked over by a smith, yet the Gaucho felt very similar. If it feels that good out of the box, it ought to be a good shooter.

Also, I saw two magazine articles on the Gaucho and the targets shot looked like something shot by a 686 Smith or Python...not a SA revolver.

Lets see...great finish, great action, accurate, lifetime warranty, and fairly inexpensive.

Hell, I'll put up with the Taurus logo on the barrel, if it is that good!

-Brickboy240

 

[MrAcheson]

Too bad Colt discontinued the "Cowboy" Peacemaker too soon.

I bought this one (and my son also bought one) NIB at a clearance price of $425 OTD.

Ughh no it isn't... There were a lot of POS Cowboy's made. The last one I shot misfired on a regular basis.

 

[RonJon]

Well, maybe those were the early ones (I have heard that the first ones had problems).

But the pair that my son and I bought are perfect in fit, finish, and performance. They shoot accurately and point of aim is point of impact with 250 grain cowboy loads at 25 yards. The feel and balance is just like the Colt SAAs.

We like ours and they ARE real Colt and made in Hartford, Conn.

Ron

 

[marcus4570]

new model vaquero

I have a new model vaquero(the davidson special). I love it! It points as close to a colt as one can get without spending big bucks. Also, if one listens closely, there are three clicks on cocking(because of the indexing fix). I have the 4 5/8 inch and the balance is great. Hope you like yours.

 

[Hawk]

Necromancy!

But nobody'll pick on you for not using the "search" function.
Welcome to the forums, relax and kick up your feet.

 

[hankdatank1362]

Hey, I'd rather have dead threads revived than 10 going on simultaniously on the same darn topic!

 

[Bigger is Better]

if I buy another Vaquero it's going to be a 5.5 inch .44mag

I've exactly this model of Vaquero and I love it: except for my Ruger SRH .480 I've only single action revolvers (besides .44 Vaquero I've a F.lli Pietta .45 LC and a custom Uberti Tornado .454 Casull), and I can doubtless say that it is my favourite SA handgun.
I wanted post you an immage of my Vaquero, but it exceed the maximum size consented by our website (1.95 MB vs 950 KB). Sorry guys

 

[Jim March]

I'm a NewVaq 357 owner, and love that gun. It would be a sweet piece in 45LC as well of course.

Ruger made the NewVaq right. The cylinder build process is different than the large frame Rugers: on the NewVaq mid-frame (and it's cousin the 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk, the ONLY adjustable-sight gun on the NewVaq frame size), cylinders are drilled one bore at a time. The large-frame cylinders were done on machines doing all six bores at once, which led to variances between bores. That issue is pretty much gone on the mid-frames. And because it's easier to check a single bit, the bores we're seeing aren't just uniform, they're at a good spec. We're also seeing tight gaps and general well-fitted metal all around.

My NewVaq was bought in 2005 and is fairly early production (sn5xxx range). When I bought it I had three others to pick from: all passed "the checkout" perfectly and mine was chosen for the pattern of fake-case-colors it showed.

It's been an excellent shooter and stone-axe reliable even once modded with lighter springs and a SuperBlackhawk hammer.

One point of interest: Ruger is now shipping a low-production variant of the NewVaq called the "Montado": 3.75" barrel, 45LC only, stainless only, and with a SuperBlackhawk hammer (except with a different checkering pattern on the thumb-spur). Very sweet gun.

The NewVaq is by far the easiest to modify "Colt SAA clone or semi-clone" out there. Parts swapping possibilities border on "extreme", including grip frames, etc.

If you have any interest in an oddball caliber like 45ACP, 44Spl or the like, start with a 357 gun.

With all that said: the Beretta Stampede series are good guns. The transfer bar design is actually better than Ruger's - it's a beefier piece of metal. Beretta specs the gun at a high quality control level, Uberti builds it. Complaints have been very low, and it does load on the half-cock.

If you REALLY need a half-cock load, go with a Beretta. If you're the type that likes to modify guns, think about the Ruger. If you're going to beat the crap out of it, think Ruger .