Blackhawk vs Vaquero
- Thread starter jlb43
- Start date
street
Hunter
You didn't say if you had a Vaquero, or New Vaquero. If you have a Vaquero then the Blackhawk has adjustible sights and the Vaquero doesn't. If you have a New Vaquero then the frame is smaller then the Blackhawk and the grip frame is the XR3 while the Blackhawk has the XR3-RED grip frame.
COLT_45
Single-Sixer
Yes-My guess is you have a Vaquero not the New Vaquero as
you would notice the difference in over all size. One way to
check is to pull your cylinders out and compare in size. If
it is New Vaquero it will be noticeably smaller with thinner
cylinder walls than the BH.....
you would notice the difference in over all size. One way to
check is to pull your cylinders out and compare in size. If
it is New Vaquero it will be noticeably smaller with thinner
cylinder walls than the BH.....
Here is more info I what you are looking for (maybe more info than you are looking for) :
Gun Blast New Vaquero article and comparisons old vs new
Gun Blast New Vaquero article and comparisons old vs new
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
The Blackhawk is the gun Colt should have made back in the day. 
There are some other differences.
Generally speaking, the stainless Blackhawks came with a brushed finish, while the stainless Vaqueros (and New Vaqueros) were polished.
Up until a few years ago, blued Vaqueros had a simulated case haredened finish on the cylinder frames; Blackhawks are entirely blued. (Vaqueros are now entirely blued, too.)
Blued Blackhawks generally had aluminum alloy grip frames (with some exceptions), while Vaqueros had steel grip frames.
With the exception of some special, relatively low production models, Vaqueros have been offered in three barrel lengths: 4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2. The Blackhawk models had a larger variation over the years (the sizes listed above plus 6 1/2, 10, and I don't know what else.)
The cowboy style sights vs. adjustable, target style sights are the biggest difference.
Generally speaking, the stainless Blackhawks came with a brushed finish, while the stainless Vaqueros (and New Vaqueros) were polished.
Up until a few years ago, blued Vaqueros had a simulated case haredened finish on the cylinder frames; Blackhawks are entirely blued. (Vaqueros are now entirely blued, too.)
Blued Blackhawks generally had aluminum alloy grip frames (with some exceptions), while Vaqueros had steel grip frames.
With the exception of some special, relatively low production models, Vaqueros have been offered in three barrel lengths: 4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2. The Blackhawk models had a larger variation over the years (the sizes listed above plus 6 1/2, 10, and I don't know what else.)
The cowboy style sights vs. adjustable, target style sights are the biggest difference.
Glupy
Blackhawk
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It also seems to me that both Vaquero and New vaquero have nicer triggers than Blackhawks. It may be my perception, but the Blackhawk triggers seem rougher and don't break as cleanly.
Glupy Dave
Glupy Dave
Regarding determining whether you have a New Vaquero or the old larger frame "Vaquero," in addition to other aspects noted, it's easy right off--to date--to just look at the frame. All .45s NVs will say "New Vaquero" on the frame. Of the midframe NVs, only the .44 Specials are the anomaly--again to date--stating just "Vaquero" on the frame.
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