new to me 44 vaquero 4 3/4"

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thedogdidit

thedogdidit

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I finally found one at a decent price and grabbed her last night. I just took it apart to put in a wide spur hammer and realized this may have been the dirtiest revolver I have ever seen, but she's clean as a whistle now. I just bought some stag grips on here last week and I think this is where they'll go.

44 vaquero a.jpg
44 vaquero b.jpg
 
That's a classic!

I once had three of those all brand new. Still have one but hardly shoot it much anymore. I shot 44 Spl in them mostly. But once Ruger introduced the 44 spl on the medium frame in the New Vaquero and the Flattop BH, I replaced two of the 44 mags with three 44 spls. And I also replaced their hammers. But with wide checkered target hammers from the New Vaquero .45 Montero Distributor Special model for Davidson's.
 
arcticruger said:
Good score, nice 44 mag! I have one like it except it’s stainless. Been looking for another to go along with it for a while now. 😉
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Thank you sir. This is my 1st original model Vaquero, and I sure do love it. It is exactly what I didn't know that I needed. I have a strong collection of Blackhawks and Supers, but do believe I may have stumbled onto my newest addiction. Mind sharing a pic of your SS 44?
 
dst525 said:
Looks drop dead gorgeous and solid. That will shoot like a beast.
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She feels solid! Looking forward to a range day. I have unfortunately accumulated more firearms that I haven't shot, than I have shot. Not intentionally as I do believe in shooting what I own. I have recently sold the few that I know I would never shoot as they are 70+ years old and appear to be unfired. Life has been too hectic to enjoy lately, so I stockpile for future enjoyment. I feel like the ant preparing for winter.
 
That 44 mag original Vaquero is awfully nice. I've often thought of sending mine in for real color case hardening. But when I rethink it, I toy with keeping it original and have one of my New Vaquero 44 specials color case hardened because I want to shoot it, and the New Vaqueros have Ruger;s RIPS design which lines up the chambers with the loading gate like the old model Rugers, which is much more convenient for loading and unloading.
I'm also working on making an Old Model 3 screw w/o transfer bar from one of my mid frame 44 specials. I've completed my tool room mock up on a 22 single six new model discarded frame. Just need to decide to do a Vaquero or a Flattop Blackhawk.
 
thedogdidit said:
Thank you sir. This is my 1st original model Vaquero, and I sure do love it. It is exactly what I didn't know that I needed. I have a strong collection of Blackhawks and Supers, but do believe I may have stumbled onto my newest addiction. Mind sharing a pic of your SS 44?
Click to expand...
Why sure… 😊

IMG_6710.jpeg


..and here it is with some of the .44 mag family

IMG_0668.jpeg
 
arcticruger said:
Why sure… 😊

View attachment 90075

..and here it is with some of the .44 mag family

View attachment 90076
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Color me green with envy! I will have to snap a group pic of my 44s when I get them all together. I have one very special build in the very busy, but very capable hands of Ronnie Wells at the moment. When that one is back home with me I will do the photo. She is getting a brass Lee Martin XR hybrid grip frame, custom wood grips, and a shortened 4 5/8" 1976 Liberty barrel installed. Hate that billboard that came on it. Sourcing a OM recessed cylinder to top it off before reblue.

I really want a set of those faux ivory grips.
 
Hondo44 said:
That 44 mag original Vaquero is awfully nice. I've often thought of sending mine in for real color case hardening. But when I rethink it, I toy with keeping it original and have one of my New Vaquero 44 specials color case hardened because I want to shoot it, and the New Vaqueros have Ruger;s RIPS design which lines up the chambers with the loading gate like the old model Rugers, which is much more convenient for loading and unloading.
I'm also working on making an Old Model 3 screw w/o transfer bar from one of my mid frame 44 specials. I've completed my tool room mock up on a 22 single six new model discarded frame. Just need to decide to do a Vaquero or a Flattop Blackhawk.
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I am going to send you a PM when I get around to it. I have a couple questions, and would love to pick your brain.
 
dobegrant.45 said:
I do have them but do not want to get rid of them, I shoot this gun quite a bit and use the wood grips but every so often the white grips go back on and then it really is good looking.
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I understand. I had to ask lol. I see that Ruger has them on their website but the reviews are mostly negative. The seem to be much weaker and prone to breakage than the ones that came stock on the revolvers. I would have thought that the ones on their website would be the same as what came shipped. Apparently not. Especially wanting a set for SBH.
 
thedogdidit said:
Color me green with envy! I will have to snap a group pic of my 44s when I get them all together. I have one very special build in the very busy, but very capable hands of Ronnie Wells at the moment. When that one is back home with me I will do the photo. She is getting a brass Lee Martin XR hybrid grip frame, custom wood grips, and a shortened 4 5/8" 1976 Liberty barrel installed. Hate that billboard that came on it. Sourcing a OM recessed cylinder to top it off before reblue.

I really want a set of those faux ivory grips.
Click to expand...
Man, that sounds like one sweet 44 mag when you get it back. Can’t wait to see it!

That’s an older photo and missing a couple SBHs. I’ll get it updated one of these days 😉
 
thedogdidit said:
I understand. I had to ask lol. I see that Ruger has them on their website but the reviews are mostly negative. The seem to be much weaker and prone to breakage than the ones that came stock on the revolvers. I would have thought that the ones on their website would be the same as what came shipped. Apparently not. Especially wanting a set for SBH.
Click to expand...
Get a set of the older ones made by Lett, they're thicker and way more robust. They can be found listed on eBay occasionally, but be prepared to pay a premium price.
I got this set on a Clements .41 Magnum I picked up used around 10 years ago, but I ended up liking them more on my stainless Single-Six 32 H&R...
20250610_164316.jpg
 
Thank you for the advice. Appears there are none to be had on GB of Fleabay. I saved the search though. I am sure some will pop up. I am kicking my own butt because I did have a pair and gave them away. Now I want another pair for that very same gun
 
SamuelGrath said:
Here's my Old Model with Grasshorns Elk grips..View attachment 90551
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That's a beauty especially with the Elk antler grips!
Just fyi since you're new to the Ruger forum; 'Old Model' and 'New Model' have specific meanings when referring to Ruger single actions. Old Models are the original design pre 1973 with 3 screws on the right side of the frame. Ruger's term, New Model, is what they label all single actions of the !973 and later design with the transfer bar safety.

Vaqueros were introduced after 1973 so they are all New Models. Yours is an old or original Vaquero. The latest design Vaqueros made on the mid size frame (except the 44 Mag), with the RIPS cylinder loading alignment design are New Vaqueros. The one exception is the 44 Spl which is just a Vaquero because there was never an old or original Vaquero chambered for the 44 Spl.

But there's no "name" police here so you can call it whatever you want and most members will know what you mean.
 
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