RUGER VAQUERO BIRDS HEAD in .357?

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jarubla

Bearcat
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
79
Location
Missouri
Gentlemen,

How tough is it to find a Vaquero with birds head grips chambered in .357?

Also, do all of the birds heads Vaqueros come in a 3 3/4" barrel?

Thank you,

-Jay
 

jarubla

Bearcat
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
79
Location
Missouri
In reading a bit, is the keylock/birds head an issue with .357?

Runs too damn hot for the birds head?

Not trying to troll, honest. Just curious

-Jay
 

VAdoublegunner

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Messages
459
Location
Virginia, USA
I don't know how tough it is, but I see 45 Colts more often. There was one at a local store in my area a couple of months or so ago, the price was pretty reasonable (~$450 I think), but I didn't need it. I thought the 357 a bit heavy compared to my 45 Colt, those holes in the cylinder and barrel being smaller. It sold in a few weeks.
 

rdf009

Single-Sixer
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
493
Location
Medina, Ohio
They're out there, but pretty hard to find (even harder than the .45s). And they have 4-5/8" barrels, not 3-3/4" like the .45s do.
 

JWhitmore44

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
987
Location
NW Kansas
I've never seen a bids head with the lock. I've read where the lock supposedly wont fit on the birds head, not sure how true that is. My guess is it's because they use a different grip pattern than the lock versions. The birds head grips are steel. I have one on a Vaquero in 45 colt that I shoot heavy loads. I'm sure it can handle those little 357 rounds :)
 

ar15ed

Single-Sixer
Joined
Feb 27, 2008
Messages
327
Location
western north carolina
they are pretty scarce! there was one on auctionarms a couple of years ago. i was all excited, until the final bidding war. i think it hit 600.00. then one popped up on the classified forum here, and sold instantly. both were 4 5/8 barrels.

i would like to have one, but i have given up actively LOOKING for one! surely a few will pop up at some point in the future!

good luck with the search!
 

LongRifle

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Messages
23
Location
Va Beach, Va
I have a set of sequential serial numbered set of .357s that I bought in 2005

I bought them on a whim and they are indeed very cool, so cool that I don't shoot them. I have test fired them and look at them a lot.

They are the original Vaqueros not the New Model.

I will say this, that given the choice, I like the feel of the Montado better.
 

SteelShooter

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 22, 2010
Messages
478
Location
Mora County New Mexico
I think the Birdshead grips are older designs, they are made in steel and stainless steel, don't have the locations for the locks.


Grips are getting harder to find as the old Ruger grip manufacturer went out of business some time ago, think they were named Lett's (SP?).

The black markarta (SP?) ones were available on Cheaper than Dirt a while ago and bought several at a really great price...

The easiest way to get one of these, if you want shooters is to locate the grip frames and either attach them on your own, or have a gunsmith fit them to your revolver.

That would likely be the easiest, especially if you want a shooter.
 

chet15

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
5,993
Location
Dawson, Iowa
SteelShooter said:
I think the Birdshead grips are older designs, they are made in steel and stainless steel, don't have the locations for the locks.

Right. None of the old style (large frame) Vaqueros have locks, and all the birdshead guns were the large frame Vaquero.
Chet15
 

jamesellik

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
77
Location
Pittsburgh PA
my local shop has a pair of birdshead .357's. Not sure if they are consecutive or not. Only asking $445. for them. They might ship to a local FFL for you.
 

Gatorbate

Bearcat
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Messages
15
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