Talk me out of a Ruger Vaquero...

[bannockburn]

wrench

A friend of mine had matching stainless Vaqueros with 5.5 inch barrels. Both guns were purchased sometime apart from one another; one was new, the other used but like new. Both guns had the same trigger pulls and both shot to the same point of aim at 25 yards. There was no discernible difference between the two of them when you fired them. Both guns were extremely accurate, and just a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[BCRider]

NO, NO, NO! You've got it all wrong!

Your mistake is in considering only getting ONE Vaquero. You need TWO of them. And along with the pistols a lever gun in the same caliber and a slick scatter gun. Add to this a nice set of leather, a cowgirl getup and then join the fun at the cowboy action shooting events....

I can't believe I'm the first to suggest this option..... SHEESH!

 

[JellyJar]

Does anyone know how many of the stainless old style Vaqueros with the 3.75 inch barrel and bird's head grips were made? I have one and wish I had another just like it. Do many of you like them or not?

 

[Dienekes]

Bought one about 2-3 years ago when they first came out--a 4 5/8" stainless in .45 Colt. We have had/have 2 Old Vaqueros, Old Blackhawks, NM Blackhawks, NM medium frame Blackhawks (50th Anniversary .357 and .44 Spl.) so we have something to compare to. I like the New Vaq A LOT. It's very well made, and balances and handles like the original Colts. I have smallish hands, so it matters to me. First time out it shot dead on, and hasn't changed. I get a lot of reflection from the shiny sights, but a pretty nickel-like finish will do that. It's a lot handier than the Old Vaqueros, which IMHO were pretty clunky. Last I knew the faux case-hardening was out and full blue was in, but that's ok with me. Adjustables are nice, but if the fixed sights can be brought in you're in business. In these days of ugly, overpriced guns, it's a delight.

BTW my wife has a Uberti Cattleman (she loved the charcoal blue finish) and while ok, it is NOT as well made or rugged as the Vaquero.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

The fixed sights on the Vaquero, do they shoot to point of aim at ~25 yards with regular smokeless loads? Or is the gun not regulated? What is the standard load fired in a gun like that? 250gr .45 LC smokeless loads? or is it 200gr? Are these made better for smokeless or black powder loads? How much $$$ do they run for on average?

 

[ArmedBear]

The fixed sights on the Vaquero, do they shoot to point of aim at ~25 yards with regular smokeless loads? Or is the gun not regulated?

Guns of any acceptable quality are regulated to something.

The question is, "What?"

At 25 yards, the displacement from a load change can be pretty dramatic.

"Range toy" and "fixed sights" don't go together, for me.

 

[Just One Shot]

Look into my eyes..........



Buy the Ruger, send it to me!

Buy the Ruger, send it to me!

Buy the Ruger, send it to me!
















Oh, that's not what you meant!

Never mind!

















You want it then BUY IT!

Does this help?

 

[MCgunner]

With the new Vaq, my hot .45 Colt load isn't an option, but it shoots 6 clicks elevation higher than my 255 grain flat point load that I normally shoot. I reserve the hand cannon loads for outdoor uses. Accuracy with either load is phenomenal, only way to describe it.

With a new Vaq, I'd just try to get it regulated for the 255 grain load and leave it. That load pushes 950 fps which has plenty of utility afield, though I'd rather hunt with more just to increase effective range.

 

[wrench]

Stopped at two gunshops yesterday, handled several different Rugers, cimarron, Uberti, Navy Arms...I don't know what all.
Gosh, no matter which one I had in my hands, it just felt awkward to me.
Tried the 'bisley' grip, and the regular one.
Was chatting up a guy at work today, he has one he'll let me shoot. I think I'll need to handle one in action before I buy my own.
Thanks everyone for your 'help'!

 

[Gary A]

no matter which one I had in my hands, it just felt awkward to me

It's all very subjective. I'm no expert pistolero, by any means, but for me the plowhandle grip of a SAA or clone just feels "right". Newer Rugers with the thinner hard rubber grips or the XR3 grips of the New Vaqueros and Anniversary models feel as good and natural in my hand as anything I've ever picked up. I like the Bisley grips. I like most of the Birdshead grips. But the SAA Army-type grip is just there.

 

[AKElroy]

The fixed sights on the Vaquero, do they shoot to point of aim at ~25 yards with regular smokeless loads? Or is the gun not regulated?

Mine wasn't. Shot 7" left & low @ 25 yrds w/ 230 gr Cowboy Action loads; these were zero recoil loads & I do not pull my shots. This was off the bag. It probably would have been closer to POA with hotter loads, but I already have that niche covered with a .44 Blackhawk.