.41 Mag Vaquero?

[smith1961]

Anybody else wish they had made one? Is it too late now with the New Model frame? How tough I wonder to have a Blackhawk made over?

 

[Robb Barnes]

I sent a 41 mag barrel to John Gallaghr and he is converting a 357 New Vaquero to 41 Mag for me. Pretty easy especially if you have the 41 barrel.

 

[RICHP]

I dream of one, or two,or three.

 

[Hondo44]

Never too late, there's tons of original large frame Vaqueros available. Barrels for the large frame and New Vaq mid-frame interchange; same thread size.

Find a 357 Vaq, rechamber the cylinder and look for a 41 barrel on ebay or gunbroker. Harder to find if you want a barrel in stainless or just polish out a blued barrel, no one will know except you.

 

[gak]

I'd love to have one in the midframe - it's in line with the same idea for a .38-40/.40 and 32-20/.327 - vying for my same .357 NV donor! They never made a large frame .41 Vaquero, so I assume you guys are talking about swapping in a Blackhawk barrel and installing a V/NV front sight.

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, that's correct for a large frame Vaq. A NV would have to have it's 357 cyl rechambered to 41 but the Blackhawk barrel would work fine and just need a front sight change.

 

[smith1961]

Okay cool so either model Vaquero could be done. As I understand the easiest would be the "new" Vaquero by just reaming out the .357 cylinder and installing .41 BH barrel and making it look vaquero?
Thanks!

 

[Hondo44]

It wouldn't be the easiest conversion but the easiest way to convert a New Vaquero would be as you said. Standard loads for .41 mag would fit fine. But extra long bullets may push the limits of the cyl length.

The easiest conversion would be the original Vaquero by swapping cyl and barrel for a Ruger BH .41 cylinder and barrel.

 

[NorEaster]

Great idea! Makes me want to find a pair of original Vaquero Bisley's in .357
Get a couple of 6.5" barrels and have them cut back to 5.5" and have the original blade front sights put on them
Send them off to Turnbull for color on the frame and hammer and get one of our forum member grip makers to whip up holly grips for them...
Drooling just thinking about it

 

[smith1961]

Hmmmm....OM vaquero in .357, then a Blackhawk .41 cylinder and barrel. Good idea!
Then again why doesn't TALO or Lipsey's or somebody just have em made darn it!

How about a group buy? LOL!
:mrgreen:

 

[Hondo44]

One of them had them on the New Model flat top large frame with all steel parts and indexing pawl so chambers index properly with loading gate in 4 5/8 and 6 1/2" and they can still be found on GB, etc.

We need to lobby Jason from Lipsey for a mid frame New Vaq. Only 1000 PSI more than 357 @ 35000 PSI.

 

[snappy]

Now I'm having daydreams about a mid-frame Shop Keeper in 41 mag.

 

[smith1961]

We need to lobby Jason from Lipsey for a mid frame New Vaq. Only 1000 PSI more than 357 @ 35000 PSI.

I triple-dog dare everybody on the forum to do this...Where do I sign? :lol:

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I am in if you guys get er going.

 

[dixie884]

Sign me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Robb Barnes]

I like the way you think Snappy. I also have on old model 357 frame down a Alan Hartons along with a birds head grip frame and a Smith & Wesson model 58 41 barrel that is going to become an old model vaquero style shop keeper in 41 with a heavy 3" barrel, no ER and a bisley spurred hammer. I think I might call it my little pocket rocket! I just have not decided if I want it to be 41 Mag or 41 Special.

 

[pulaski]

I had this done several years ago . Great shooting gun , but I'm a 41mag. nut .
Won the revolver at a DU type dinner and didn't want the 44mag. so I sent it to Reeder and had the work done .
Like everything about the revolver except the flame (faux B&C) finish on the frame . Need to find someone that will do the real bone and charcoal finish .
One more thing , when I sent it to Reeder I asked that it shoot POA with a 220 gr. cast bullet and it does that really well .
Thanks , pulaski

 

[snappy]

I like the way you think Snappy. I also have on old model 357 frame down a Alan Hartons along with a birds head grip frame and a Smith & Wesson model 58 41 barrel that is going to become an old model vaquero style shop keeper in 41 with a heavy 3" barrel, no ER and a bisley spurred hammer. I think I might call it my little pocket rocket! I just have not decided if I want it to be 41 Mag or 41 Special.

Wow Robb! Can't wait to see the pocket rocket! That will be a special piece. Please keep us posted on your progress. 8)

 

[Eaglestroker]

We need to lobby Jason from Lipsey for a mid frame New Vaq. Only 1000 PSI more than 357 @ 35000 PSI.

I triple-dog dare everybody on the forum to do this...Where do I sign? :lol:

I'm with this guy. A pair of short barrels - oh my

 

[smith1961]

Well....anybody else give any further thought to lobbying for a distributor to get a version of this produced? Can we get an e-petition or something going?
:?

 

[dougader]

I sent a 41 mag barrel to John Gallaghr and he is converting a 357 New Vaquero to 41 Mag for me. Pretty easy especially if you have the 41 barrel.

Hey, Robb, did you go with Blackhawk barrel or a S&W M57 ribbed barrel? Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[smith1961]

Any Vaquero frame (original & new) will accept a NM Blackhawk barrel. Then find a .357 NM or maybe even 9mm Blackhawk cylinder and have it reamed for .41 mag? Redux front sight and refinish to match is all done?

 

[gak]

Any Vaquero frame (original & new) will accept a NM Blackhawk barrel. Then find a .357 NM or maybe even 9mm Blackhawk cylinder and have it reamed for .41 mag? Redux front sight and refinish to match is all done?

All but final re-finish (if any) and new cal rollmark over old etc., assuming you want to take it that far--most do to complete it. These "little" things are what drive these things up and why the customizers are in business. That and extra touches like hammers, action work, etc., many have them do "while they're at it." Ottherwise my (or any decent) local smith would have this done, as a functioning piece, including any action work in my case (top Coltsmith but usually no "fancy" finishing work) , inside a week and back in your hands, versus 6 mos to year wait.

 

[smith1961]

I WANT a .41 mag Vaquero......Is that really so bad?
somebody HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!
:shock:

 

[RICHP]

You could have the top strap welded up and reshaped to look like a vaquero. Don't know how much cost difference or which would cost more. That would have to be on a .41 mag. Blackhawk.

 

[gak]

The midframe is more interesting to me. The idea of a "safe" mid-bore .4_ magnum in the smaller frame appeals. And, using a .357 donor you'd already have a fitted cylinder that just needs to be reamed. With a midframe .41, to me, you'd "really have something" then, IMO. I've already got .44 Mag Vaq's--or they are otherwise out there--and don't need something "close" to what's already available in a big, heavy frame (the .41 even heavier). Relative to this, I also have a donor .357 NV--that's supposed to be destined for a .38-40/.40 convertible. A .41 midframe has always been on the list though. Now the thought's been rekindled--Darn this thread!

 

[RICHP]

I'm with you GAK. I have everything I need, just need to do it.

 

[1911Tuner]

The .41 Magnum has long been my hands-down favorite revolver cartridge. A New Vaquero in .41 magnum is high on my want list, even if I have to go to Ham Bowen for it. Although the durability of the New Vaquero probably isn't optimum for full-power snot knockers, it would be nice to have the option on the table on a "Need to" basis. 99% of my shooting would be with a 210 grain cast bullet and 8 grains of Unique, and using 2400 with the same bullet driven to 1200-1250 fps would likely be about as lively as I'd feel comfortable with for more than occasional use.

A New Vaquero...chambered for the now wildcat but hopefully soon to be added to the regular lists .41 Special...is one that is completely doable as a regular catalog item, and Ruger would probably be a lot more comfortable with that than with the full house magnum. If they'd offer that one...even as a Lipsey's limited run...I'm afraid that temptation would be more than I could bear.

 

[smith1961]

.41 Special isn't a SAAMI round yet right? Can't see a Vaquero, mid-frame or otherwise, until that happens. Rather just advocate for a .41 Mag cuz it seems more practical/marketable for the Ruger folks to make one today (or tomorrow) :wink:

 

[1911Tuner]

.41 Special isn't a SAAMI round yet right?

Not as yet, but I have hopes. It'll be a matter of demand, and at the present time, there just isn't one. Maybe Lipsey will step up to the table and roll the dice. If they get snapped up...Ruger and one of the ammo companies will probably talk.