Comparing the Birdsheads - Picture Heavy

[Cherokee Slim]

This is the original sale picture of the New Model Vaquero in .45lv.

My Old Model Vaquero and the New Model are shown together. The Old Model front sight is just a little higher than the new one. Old model has all the warnings on the side of the barrel, the new ones are somewhat hidden on the bottom of the barrel. The pictures of the hammer spur are really interesting. It measures double the width of the older gun. Closeups show the difference in the spurs. I really like the new one better. Closeups show the frame numbers are the same. There is a big difference in the full cock positions of the revolvers. Grips are interchangeable. Cylinder pins are different but interchangeable.

I really like the feel of the new gun. I don't "aim" at Cowboy steel, I point and shoot at pistol distances. I think this will be really fun to add to the SASS mix if you like to shoot birdsheads as my grandaughter & I do.
Cherokee Slim

 

[chappy]

Thanks, this actually answers a question I posted a while ago. I just got a New Birdshead in 45acp and now know that any of the "bridshead" grips will fit. Thanks for your photo's...I also like the wider hammer better.

 

[JWhitmore44]

The rear sight notch on the New Vaquero looks wider, is the front blade wider? Doesn't look like a lot a difference in the frame and cylinder sizes though, maybe a bit. Does the New Vaquero feel lighter than the Vaquero?

 

[Hondo44]

There is a big difference in the full cock positions of the revolvers. Grips are interchangeable. Cherokee Slim

Cherokee Slim,

Nice pair of Rugers and nice photos!

You'll find the people of this forum helpful and not here just to criticize or annoy you. So after two different people clearly helped you properly identify your two Rugers in your other thread and not confuse others, I'm baffled by your obturation in your continued improper identification. It just excasperates the already encumbered clarity of written communications.

Both of your Vaqueros are of the "NEW MODEL" design which refers to the safety transfer bar engineered action. The larger gun (as marked) is a Vaquero and the smaller gun (also as marked) is the New Vaquero denoting the different size.

Also, there's no difference in full cock positions, it's just an illusion due to the wide spur hammer having a lower, target style spur. You'll find their full cock positions the same if you measure the opening at the top of the hammer to the frame, give or take a little due to the slight difference in hammer heights.

Hope this helps,

 

[Knuckles]

The 'Talo' BirdsHead is built on the mid-size frame, has a super Blackhawk Hammer, and the cylinder is rounded at the front with less steel in the chambers, oh' and it uses a newer reverse-indexing action design to lock in-line the ejector rod with the loading gate.

The first gen Vaqueros however, can blast just about anything in .45Colt through them!

Well' other than that, they're about the same... you know I Luv-um!! 8)

 

[Cherokee Slim]

I guess I didn’t think these threads would generate so many comments online and in PMs and emails.

Here are some more answers;

Old gun front sight - .37” high, .64” long, .12” wide
New gun front sight- .32” high, .62” long, .16”wide

Length of the top of the frame of the old gun is 2.9” while the new one is 2.75.

Bottom of the frame, measured from the back of the hammer down to the front of the ejector rod is 3.62” on the old gun and 3.22” on the new one.

So the frame is smaller with the grip portion being the same.

Weight is another surprise. If you hold my 5.5” Vaquero in .45 in one hand and my 5.5” New Vaquero in .45 in the other you will immediately notice a big difference. Not so with the birdsheads.

With eyes closed I have yet to find anyone who can tell a weight difference. For all intents and purposes they are the same. I realize some OCD will come along and say that the older one is .268 ounces heavier or something, but any normal person wanting to shoot and not argue wont see any difference.

Finally, I’ve gotten several PMs & emails advising me to not worry about criticism on the forum. As long as we have an anonymous internet we will always have mall ninja experts beating on their chest, jumping up and down and yelling “I’m important; Pay attention to me, I’m an expert.” I only encounter them in forums, never at a SASS match or on the range. I’m just an old cowboy with a colorful, event filled life. I’ve been criticized and attacked, literally, by the best and worse the world can throw and have learned the ninjas only have as much power over you as you let them. So I completely ignore them and let them howl at the moon.
Cherokee Slim

 

[JWhitmore44]

When I hefted one at the gun shop I was surprised at the weight. I didn't have my Birds Head Vaquero to compare but I thought it felt about the same. The weight difference is what I probably notice the most when carrying my Vaquero compared to my 32 mag single six. This includes carrying it IWB for concealed carry. I'm sure I'd probably notice the size some, but I think the weight makes the biggest difference. Thanks for the comparison it's nice info.

 

[Hondo44]

I’ve been criticized and attacked, literally,..... So I completely ignore them and let them howl at the moon.
Cherokee Slim

I believe that you have and you do, if you want to act like the "moon" it's no surprise that you're being howled at. You come here with a question then you whine and complain because you don't like the answer, find out you're wrong or don't get the answer in the regular way as your normal pablum.

Since you mentioned SASS, most people in the SASS clubs appreciate help so they can learn and do things correctly. Those that don't, cry victim, call it criticism, insult them with their lack of acknowledgement for the help and learn nothing. Eventually when they continue to mis-inform others and especially when they become dangerous to other members, they are invited to leave. Fortunately, you can't be too dangerous here on the forum, only perpetrate bad information which people will realize.

PMs I've received say don't waste time trying to help those that want to ignore the facts, other forum members will become wise to them. The PMs are right and I thank them for their help.

 

[OD#3]

I'm getting about tired of the nit-picky insistence by some that we never refer to the original large-frame Vaqueros as "Old Vaqueros". Regardless of the fact that the new Vaqueros are marked "New Vaquero", many new owners of "New Vaqueros" will nevertheless ask questions about their new "Vaqueros". Rather that insisting that the only dinstinction should be "Vaquero" vs. "New Vaquero", I actually appreciate it when someone just says "Old Vaquero" or "Old Model Vaquero" when asking a question about his original non-"New Vaquero". Since there were no Vaqueros built utilizing the old three-screw lockwork, why do some seem to fear that the term "Old Vaquero" would conjure up an image of a Vaquero with three-screw lockwork? Why all the fuss? "Old Vaquero" isn't confusing in the least. It conveys exactly the distinction posters expect it to.

 

[Knuckles]

I'm getting about tired of the nit-picky insistence by some that we never refer to the original large-frame Vaqueros as "Old Vaqueros". Regardless of the fact that the new Vaqueros are marked "New Vaquero", many new owners of "New Vaqueros" will nevertheless ask questions about their new "Vaqueros". Rather that insisting that the only dinstinction should be "Vaquero" vs. "New Vaquero", I actually appreciate it when someone just says "Old Vaquero" or "Old Model Vaquero" when asking a question about his original non-"New Vaquero". Since there were no Vaqueros built utilizing the old three-screw lockwork, why do some seem to fear that the term "Old Vaquero" would conjure up an image of a Vaquero with three-screw lockwork? Why all the fuss? "Old Vaquero" isn't confusing in the least. It conveys exactly the distinction posters expect it to.

Because some folks like the feeling they get when they denigrate others. and they will make a case every time about the safety issues of using improper gun names......... HOG-WASH!!

I'm with you!