Vaquero in .44 Mag?

[gruesomenewsom]

I just picked up a vaquero .44 polished stainless with a 5.5" barrel. The gun has been fired but not a lot and is in really good shape. I just went to rugers website though and the new vaqueros dont come in .44 magnum anymore. Any reason why?

 

[Lazuris]

The new ones are only in .45 and .357. They are a little bit thinner than the older model Vaquero. BTW thats a great gun you have there i've been looking for one for some time now.

 

[BigBlock]

Yeah, the new Vaqueros are smaller and therefore not strong enough to handle the .44 mag.

 

[Jim March]

Right. Your gun is basically a fixed-sight version of the SuperBlackHawk - same size cylinder and can take the same loads. Your gun looks like a Colt SAA but is a bit oversize and tougher.

Ruger figured these were tougher than they needed to be for the usual cowboy action shooting people were using them for. And to an extent, they were right. The "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller frame that is at it's limit with the 357Mag or the 45LC so long as it's not the wild-child "Ruger ONLY!" monsters.

That doesn't mean your gun is useless. If it fits your hand, cool. Personally, I'd upgrade the sights some, if you want to shoot it at the distances the 44Mag is capable of. An improved front with the stock rear milled out to match can work wonders.

 

[gruesomenewsom]

to be honest this gun was an impulse buy. With the factory rosewood grips and polished stainless it was a real eyecatcher. ill only use it for pretty much knoking over tin cans if i get sick of the .38 spl. I was considering using a handgun for deer hunting next year but i think i would look into a .454 casull. I dont know if this is true but ive actually heard that at 100 yards a .223 remington has more energy than a .44 magnum. I havent checked the ballistics to verify that yet but it sort of makes sense with the grain weight and trajectories. Either way its a beautiful gun and i dont see myself getting rid of it.

oh and btw my father has a new vaquero (for reference): the new vaqueros are a bit smaller, have black plastic grips like the colt saa's and the ruger insignia on the grip is in the exact same place with a similar pattern as the colt insignia on the saa. Plus the single action armies dont come in .44 mag either. Maybe Ruger's trying to garner its market share in the single action industry?

 

[Jim March]

Loaded hot, the 44Mag can do deer. No problem at all. The limiting factor would be your front sight.

I have a NewVaq in 357. Here's my solution as to sights - custom base and dovetail front, hogged rear channel to match:

Do this to a 44Mag Vaq and you've got a deer gun.

 

[sixgun MAK]

You are gonna love that gun! I had the same with a 7 1/2" tube. I use to kill deer with it but eventually sold it. REGRET! There are a lot of things you can do with that gun. Always keep it.

 

[gb6491]

You are gonna love that gun!

+1 on that!

gruesomenewsom,
Congrats on the new Vaquero! I recently picked up a used Bisley Vaquero and couldn't be more happy with it. The sights are pretty much on for me at 25 yds. (if I do my part). I did install a spring kit that really lightened up the trigger. Enjoy your new acquisition.

Jim, that's a nice touch on the ejector rod housing.


Regards,
Greg

 

[sixgun MAK]

gb6491,

That's a nice looking gun you have there! I'm jealous.

grewsomenewsome,

Some might suggest not doing this to your gun, but I use to reload with those little capsuls that you load with shot. I killed a few grouse (legal) with that as well as numerous rats in the barn (most fun I've ever had).

I am really jealous of your gun. Congrats my man. Don't do like I did by selling it someday, you'll kick yourself!

 

[rtl]

I personally love the .44 Vaquero, I own two and am always on the lookout for another. Heck of an impulse buy, enjoy it and hang on to it!

sixgun MAK
I've use snakeshot through mine on several occassions for gophers, field mice and stubborn barn swallows in flight. HECK of a lot of fun.