Bit of SA help please

[RoninPA]

A customers dad has 2 of these that he will be looking to sell so he came to me for some help determining what they may be worth. He said his dad use these for "cowboy" shooting. I'm working with him to find out more information ( what, where, when, etc.) They are "Old" (large frame) Vaqueros and were produced in 2000 and 2001, 45 Colt, 5 1/2" barrels and have the applied case-color.

I do not know their internal conditions (seeing about getting them to me for a complete evaluation)

Any thoughts on value (I know, it would depend on the internals and bore. From the pics I can see probably holster wear on the muzzle and a turn line. They both come with extra Ruger (rosewood?) grips.

Thanks for the assist.

 

[Hondo44]

New Vaqueros weren't produced until starting in 2005. New Vaqueros would be catalog # NV-455.

So he has two original Vaqueros (large frames, standard length hammer spurs), as you said one from 2000 and the higher number from 2001.

Your best bet is to look at completed auctions on Gunbroker and you'll see what they are currently selling for in like condition to his.

Good points:
They have the Ruger case colored frames.
They come with the original boxes.
They have just enough wear that some buyers like because they don't have to worry about using them.
The extra "gunfighter" grips.
They are safe to shoot "Ruger Only" 45 hot level 2 and level 3 loads because they're made on the large frame.

Bad points:
They're heavy-for-caliber if the owner just wants to shoot cowboy matches with light loads or shoot standard loads just for fun.
They don't have Ruger's new action RIPS (Reverse Indexing Pawl System) with improved chamber alignment for easier/faster loading/unloading.

 

[s4s4u]

It is possible that the actions have been slicked up if they were used for "cowboy" shooting, and depending on who may have done the work...it can add a significant value.

Mundin, Linebaugh, Huntington, Reeder...some will never do another!

 

[RoninPA]

Hondo, thanks for the clarification, I didn't read far enough in RENE (I'm embarrassed). I'm slowly getting information from the son (and trying to get me as much info as possible from his dad). I am trying to get him to get the guns (and his dad) and bring them to me so I can examine them and talk to dad. Also, I'll get into Gunbroker and see what I can find as time permits, I figured I'd get it posted as soon as I could to get the Ruger owners involved (heck someone might be interested).

Thanks for the assist, I appreciate any and all info I can garner.

 

[LDB]

I just bought a 1997 original Vaquero in .357 at 90-92% maybe. Muzzle wear, turn line, "cleaned" by someone who cleaned the case color off. It's the fragile part of the whole thing from what I hear. But good bones and pretty bore. Just the gun, nothing else. Paid $540 for it. Good luck sorting it. Oh, yes, it is definitely HEAVY.

 

[contender]

I have handled a pair of Ruger Vaquero's that were set up for SASS. They were done by a gunsmith that isn't a "known name" one. Yet,, those two guns were stunning in how good they felt.
Smoother than silk on a virgin!

Getting the details helps a lot. But if done right,, they may well be a very good set of shooters for someone.

I know many people often complain about how "heavy" a gun is to them. I can appreciate that many people want a light gun to carry. But when it comes to actually shooting a gun,, heavy helps mitigate recoil much better than a lightweight gun.
Simple physics.
Me PERSONALLY,, have always found it amusing & a bit of a wonder when people want to make a gun as light as they can, or complain how a certain model is "too heavy."
I was shooting a full sized Blackhawk in .327 Mag a few years ago,, and another guy was a bit amazed at how accurate it was. He asked to shoot it,, and his first comment when he picked it up was; "Gosh it's HEAVY!" Well, the recoil was so mild even this person, (who isn't a serious shooter,) enjoyed it & was hitting stuff. He tried to buy it from the owner, who refused,, with a smile!

I'll bet that pair of Vaquero's are sweet shooters!

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Somet times guns used for CAS can be 'over-smithed' and need a trip back to Ruger to gut them and get them back to a safe shootable state. Also, be sure to check the front sight height (typically filed down by CAS shooters) and if the rear sight has been widened (again a typical CAS shooter thing to do).

 

[RoninPA]

Somet times guns used for CAS can be 'over-smithed' and need a trip back to Ruger to gut them and get them back to a safe shootable state. Also, be sure to check the front sight height (typically filed down by CAS shooters) and if the rear sight has been widened (again a typical CAS shooter thing to do).

Good advice, thank you. I'll pass it on so when he has a chance to look at them he can let me know. I just don't know how "serious" his dad was in that venue.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

It’s been years since I shot SASS. The popular caliber for the go fast boys was 357 which were shot with lighter than factory 38 loads. My personal preference was the 45 Colt, too me more period correct. Many with with Piettes do to the lighter frame gun size, and between the size and 38 caliber variants were pretty nice. The large frame guns in 38 (357) were absolutely heavy. Popularity varies by region. Goes without saying the stainless ones were more popular, because they were easier to clean and the looked more like the nickel finish. I’ve got a very clean stainless one in 4-5/8” that’s very clean and would sell easily for $700 possibly a little more up here. Assuming both guns being in similar condition I would think $500 a piece would be doable for the general user, with the nod going to the lighter models fetching a tad more.

 

[RoninPA]

Thanks for the posts, the son (in PA) is still trying to gather info from his dad (in FL)

 

[BIgMuddy]

What I have personally observed in my area, the “don’t make them anymore” factor makes these guns bring more than the New Vaquero. I don’t see these guns going to CAS shooters as much as they did when first issued. Two years ago at a gunshow I was visiting with a man selling some of his personal collection. He had two SS Vaqueros he was asking $900 each for. I didn’t tell him, but thought he was dreaming at that price. In the 15 or so minutes we were talking, each gun sold to different customers with no haggling at all. I don’t shoot CAS anymore but my 3 “original” Vaqueros will go in my estate sale.

Dan