38-40 Vaquero Questions ???

Help Support Ruger Forum:

32magfan

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
604
Location
Burkesville, KY
A buddy of mine recently acquired a Winchester 92 in 38-40. :D He is interested in finding a revolver to be a companion for this neat rifle. Colts are nice but a little too pricey. :shock:

I know some Vaqueros were made in 38-40 and even convertibles with 40 S&W (and 10mm Buckeye). I would appreciate any and all information about barrel lengths that were made, how many produced, etc. He is mostly interested in a case-colored or blued gun. He saw a stainless Vaquero on GunBroker and wasn't excited. :?

I need some of that RF knowledge and information. Please help me and my buddy out here.

Thanks,

32Magfan
 

Aggie01

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Messages
978
Location
Texas (DFW)
My sketchy memory tells me all the 38-40 Vaqueros were stainless.

My suggestion is rather than spend years looking, spend a year waiting on exactly what you want:

Buy a .357 anny flattop or new vaquero (depending on the sights you want) and send it off to be converted.

SUre, It'll rival the price of a Colt, but it'll be tough enough to do anything he wants with it. ( have a .41 Mag midframe that ran me about $1K all told - base gun, conversion and shipping included)

A 38-40 in a midframe would be a little less bulky than the buckeyes or Vaqueros, too.
 

CraigC

Hawkeye
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
5,197
Location
West Tennessee
The Buckeyes are great guns in their own right but I really think a classic levergun calls for something a little more traditional like a Colt SAA or replica. What I've got in mind to pair up with my Uberti 1873 sporting rifle .38WCF is a USFA standard SAA model that usually runs about $750. It's roughly $400 less than a comparable Colt and a better gun anyway. The .38-40 is a great cartridge and 180's will run 1200fps out of a sixgun without exceeding standard pressures.
 

Olsherm

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
557
Location
Dexter,Missouri United States of America
I have a new vaquero converted from .357 with 4 5/8 barrel by David Clements to 38/40. Has case hardened frame and hammer by Turnbull I believe.Chamfered cylinder,action job,fancy walnut grips with ivory stars inlaid by Bob Leskovic. Wish I could send pictures. I gotta learn how to do that soon. Words don't mean much without a picture.Do they? I haven't shot it much yet. Beautiful thingy. I think I have more money in it than I have in my truck.??????????But I like it. I get it out and play with it in the living room while I am watching MR DILLON.Wife comes along and asked me if I am helping Marshall Dillon out.Smart alec woman. I told her he would not have made in the last shoot out if I had not been there.
 
A

Anonymous

I happen to have a Buckeye Special 38/40--10MM convertible and it is a brute for strength.

I have data showing the 200 gr. Hornady bullet at 1400 fps.

Now that particular load is pretty hot and I didn't shoot a lot of them, but the 50 or so that I did fire presented no problems on extraction or showed any sign of excessive pressure.

The best load for deer hunting is 18/2400/200 Hornady for just under 1300 fps. I needed to buy a Lee factory crimp die to keep the bullets from migrating out of the mouth of the cases.

The 10MM is also viable as a deer cartridge in this gun as the 200 Hornady can be driven to velocities of 1250 fps and the case is stronger than the 38/40 case and handles pressure better.

It is very close to a .41 Mg. in power.
 

Hillbilly Jim

Bearcat
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
54
Location
jefferson city
I dont think the Buckeye special with the 10 mm cly is a Vaquero. I think Blackhawk. And the only 38-40's I have seen in the Vaquero line have been the issue with the 40S@W cly. [500 or so of each of two barrel lengths]
Just my thinking.
 

mhblaw

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
942
Location
North Dakota
The Buckeye convertible is on a New Model Blackhawk frame, 6.5" barrel. I second the suggestion to acquire a USFA in 38 WCF. I have one and is one of the best shooters I have, considering the sights and all.
 
Top