Seems to me a 43 oz, 10.5" long gun for .38 for CCW wouldn't recoil at all. That's a pretty big gun.
Wouldn't matter much with a birds head grip, and, .38's, still no recoil.
Bird's heads I've held didn't do much for me, since they made up for the advantage of the design by making the grip considerably wider then a standard grip, creating another concealment problem, a fat grip to conceal.
Considering what you are trying to do, I'd probably get a hold of Bob M.
http://bobmunden.com/custom-gunsmithing/
and get his thoughts on the subject.
After talking to him, I'd give this guy a call:
http://www.jrhgunmaker.com/
And ask Jack what he would charge, and what he thinks of the stuff Bob M. does.
I've never had a gun setup for quick shooting, since most of my guns work just fine at the speed I can cock and fire them.
Somewhere in your discussions with them, they might have an idea for something other then the Ruger. I can't help but think if you are going to come up with a .38 special for CCW that there must be a much lighter gun, based on a smaller frame then the Vaquero.