Long barreled Vaquero

David LaPell · May 5, 2011

I found this long barreled early Vaquero in .45 Colt and just couldn't pass it up. I canned the cheap polymer grips that came with the gun since one was cracked and the grip screw was missing. These grips on it have an interesting story behind them. You might notice that they don't quite fit the gun. Back in 1995 when I got my first handgun which was a .357 Blackhawk my uncle told me about a guy he worked with who did some work with wood but had never done anything with pistol grips. The guy was a gun collector but had sold all of his handguns when his son committed suicide with one of his guns. After that he never touched another handgun or had anything to do with them, until he did these grips out of birdseye maple. So while they might not look like they fit the gun, they fit my hand perfectly, they are slightly contoured in a few different spots. I normally don't put these grips on anything, I have them in my safe due to sentimental reasons, but for now until I can get something I am not afraid of damaging I'll keep these on.

flatgate · May 5, 2011

Looks Great! I like 7-1/2" barreled revolvers. A lot.

flatgate

EDK · May 6, 2011

I've got Original Size 44 VAQUEROS in 5.5 and 7.5 inch lengths. I changed the grip frames to either a DRAGOON or HUNTER, and the latest acquisitions also have Super Black Hawk hammers. The longer barrels are better shooters...especially after they get an ALPHA PRECISION trigger/action job.

John Taffin estimated that only about 5% of the Original Size VAQUEROS had 7.5 inch barrels...in 44/40, 44 magnum and 45 Colt; no 357s.

VAdoublegunner · May 13, 2011

Great looking revolver! They really point nicely. I have a high polished SS version in a 7 1/2" barrel and it has become a much used shooter, even moreso than the comparable Blackhawk. Even better, the front sight is dead on for windage (with most loads). I normally like shorter barrels, but there is just something about that 'Matt Dillon' look.

I would gladly pick up another long barreled Vaquero (not the New Vaq) if it floats through a local store reasonably priced. I had no idea the long barrel Vaqueros comprised only about 5% of manufacture. One of my CAS friends who has a pair of 7 1/2" 44 Mag SS Vaqs claimed it took him a long time to find the second one. Now I can see why.