Been looking at getting another new toy, and am trying to decide between the Bisley Blackhawk 45lc or the old model Vaquero in the rare 40s&w. Both are very nice guns. Wish I could but them both!! Both are around $500. Any suggestions on which is better to get now, and which to wait on? I don't hunt or cowboy shoot. Just gonna killbsome cans now and then. Just have the bug , and like nice guns. I have 2 semi-autos, and a birdshead 3 1/2 in Taylor 38.
Best gun for $500 ... Blackhawk or Vaquero
- Thread starter vektro
- Start date
Big difference is the adjustable sights on the Blackhawk and the lack thereof on the Vaquero.
And unless you already have a .40 gun, I see no reason to go that way anyhow.
All JMHO of course. Your money, your choice.
Personally, I'd go with the Blackhawk.
:)
And unless you already have a .40 gun, I see no reason to go that way anyhow.
All JMHO of course. Your money, your choice.
Personally, I'd go with the Blackhawk.
:)
donut757
Blackhawk
I would personally said the vaquero, only becuase its chambering. You can find a 45 blackhawk anywhere
glockman99
Single-Sixer
My "vote" is for the Blackhawk.
CraigC
Hawkeye
The original large frame New Model Vaquero (no Old Models ;)) is just way too much beef for the little .40S&W cartridge. I like adjustable sights anyway.
I will say that the .40 Vaquero may -- MAY -- have some collector interest sometime in the future.
That would be the only thing that would attract my interest, if I were into collecting New Models.
Again, JMHO.
:)
That would be the only thing that would attract my interest, if I were into collecting New Models.
Again, JMHO.
:)
JWhitmore44
Blackhawk
They still make the 45 Bisley :)
Are your semi's in 40 S&W ? the Vaquero might make a great companion if they are. To me there's something nostalgic about the Vaquero, but the Bisley is classy. One thing about it, you can't go wrong no mater which you chose :)
Are your semi's in 40 S&W ? the Vaquero might make a great companion if they are. To me there's something nostalgic about the Vaquero, but the Bisley is classy. One thing about it, you can't go wrong no mater which you chose :)
Dale53
Blackhawk
I have both (bought the Bisely Vaquero for particular black powder matches that specified fixed sights).
If you are only going to buy one and want to shoot it, by all means go with the BlackHawk. The adjustable sights are a godsend when you try to zero the gun for a particular bullet or load.
Typically, fixed sighted guns can be "regulated" for only one specific bullet and load. That can be a real pain. Further, even then, it isn't guaranteed.
My Bisley Vaquero was a lucky buy for me. Right out of the box, it hit to point of aim at 25 yards with my chosen black powder charge and the 250 gr Lyman 452664 Cowboy Bullet. However, if I wanted to shoot lighter bullets it would need work with no guarantees.
My SS Bisley Black Hawk .45 Colt/.45 ACP Convertible can easily be adjusted for either 200gr, 250 gr, or 285 gr bullets with a simple twist of a screwdriver. I can shoot from mild to wild and hit where I need to hit with a quick and easy adjustment of the rear sight.
Dale53
If you are only going to buy one and want to shoot it, by all means go with the BlackHawk. The adjustable sights are a godsend when you try to zero the gun for a particular bullet or load.
Typically, fixed sighted guns can be "regulated" for only one specific bullet and load. That can be a real pain. Further, even then, it isn't guaranteed.
My Bisley Vaquero was a lucky buy for me. Right out of the box, it hit to point of aim at 25 yards with my chosen black powder charge and the 250 gr Lyman 452664 Cowboy Bullet. However, if I wanted to shoot lighter bullets it would need work with no guarantees.
My SS Bisley Black Hawk .45 Colt/.45 ACP Convertible can easily be adjusted for either 200gr, 250 gr, or 285 gr bullets with a simple twist of a screwdriver. I can shoot from mild to wild and hit where I need to hit with a quick and easy adjustment of the rear sight.
Dale53
Absolutely! But get one in a rimmed cartridge say .45 Colt (my choice), .44-40, or in 1900+ cartridges .44Spec or .357. Now we talk'n nostalgic! I really like mine in .45 Colt. Black Powder cartridges just go hand in hand! Everyone should own at least one! But in above choice, the BH wins over the original Vaquero IMO.
chris_
Blackhawk
If I had a shot at a 40 Vaquero, I'd snap it up and have the cylinder bored for 10mm faster than you could think it.
A while back I faced the same choice. I wanted 45 Colt and intended to load my own. Having just had some major sighting issues with a Taurus Gaucho (which I eventually sold at a loss) I went with the Blackhawk. Just gotta have my adjustable sights!
mattsbox99
Hunter
chris_ said:
I was thinking the same thing!
I have both and I like the Blackhawk better though...
Joe S.
Hunter
Ive had two super blackhawks. Loved em! Like the feel of the vaquero better but love the adjustable sights. Probably still will buy a vaquero as my next single action revolver tho. Just cause ive never had one
Though a Vaquero/New Vaquero guy, I'd say the BH.45 too unless the .40 is one of the .38-40/.40 convertible models--the combo of which is the charm of that set up IMO....and I still might say the Blackhawk. Whoever said the Vaquero was way more gun than the .40 needs is correct. OTOH, I'd love to have a .38-40/.40 convertible made out of one of my New Vaqueros--now that'd be a nice platform for the combo. If I already had the larger Vaquero in .40, I'd be tempted to have Bowen (etc) make--or send a piloted blank for--a "discreet" 10mm cylinder and have that fitted--so as to not mess up whatever future collector value (if still marked .40 etc). The Vaquero would be a decent platform for that, and I think some "Buckeye" edition BHs were made as such?
Glupy
Blackhawk
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donut757 said:
I agree that the 45LC are everywhere. The Vaquero has a better trigger and is relatively rare.
I happen to own a convertible 40 S&W/38-40 Vaquero and it is fun to shoot. The recoil is mild in such a large revolver and the 40 S&W ammo is easy to find/reload.
But this whole thread is another "Ginger VS MaryAnn" argument. Both are winners.
Glupy
Thanks for all the great replies. Both are nice guns, yet different and hard to compare. One shiny, one matte, one fixed sights, one adjustable...Anyway partly due to all of your suggestions, I have chosen a winner (at least for this purchase). I bought The Bisley Blackhawk SS in 45lc!! Maybe get the Vaquero tomorrow lol. Thanks for all the replies.
