Ruger sa revolvers

[degasam]

OK tell me the difference in Blackhawk and Vaquero? also why doesn't Ruger offer a 6.5 barrel in 45 lc/45acp?

 

[BlkHawk73]

Just take a took at them and it's kinda clear - one has fixed sights, the other adjustable. There's a slight difference in the hammers which can be seen in pictures too. Of course you didn't specify if you mean the original large frame models or the medium frame models. Regardless the BIGG difference is the sights.

Why is a _________ model offered? As with any item, market demand. ;)

 

[schloss]

if you do a search on this subject, you'll get a lot quicker response, not to mention the people that don't want to see this again, but...

the blackhawk has adjustable sights and a frame and cylinder strong enough for the Ruger only loads

the Vaquero is basically the same as the Blackhawk, but with fixed sights, just styled different. The New Vaquero is smaller and lighter, mainly intended for the CAS crowd, not as strong as the Vaquero, so no Ruger only loads.

Some people refer to the original Vaquero as an "Old" Vaquero for some reason. It's not an old model. There are only 2: the Vaquero and the New Vaquero. Both are new models.

I don't have an answer on the barrel length. You might have to look on the used market for the 6.5" barrel. Bottom line, though, is that making guns is a business, and Ruger has to do whatever is most profitable. Also, if a manufacturer discontinues a feature for a while, people start desiring it, and it can be brought back out again at a later date for better sales, and simplifies tooling at the manufacturing facility for some things.

I'm sure there's a few othe differences between those guns that I haven't stated, but I'm definitely no expert. Probably more reasons on the barrel length, too.

 

[M'BOGO]

Welcome,

Blackhawk, blued models have an alloy gripfame (except Super Blackhawk and Bisley), and adjustable sights. The .44 Spc Blackhawk is on the medium frame ( the same size as the New Vaquero, think SAA and replicas), the rest are the same size, on the .44 Mag size frame. The standard Blackhawk (not the limited run Flattop's which are medium frames) are safe with the "Ruger Only" .45, 32,00 psi loads.

The Vaqueros ( New Vaquero's, introduced around 2005) are all steel, always have been, and have fixed sights. They are on the medium frame, and the .45 model can handle loads to around 21-23,000 psi (which will do a lot with a 250-270 gr slug at up to around 1,100 fps.

The original Vaqueros were built on the .44 Mag sized frame, and .44 Mag was a caliber option, from time to time some are produced.

As for the 6.5" barrel, who knows.

Edited to add, I'm not fast on the keyboard.

 

[DeletedMember275]

If you really, really want a 6.5" model, but a 7.5" and have a gunsmith chop an inch off and remount the front sight. Probably cost $125 or higher (probably higher), but you'll have exactly what you want.

 

[gak]

Also, on the Vaquero/New Vaquero lines barrel length is a marketing thing. Anything marked Vaquero whether the original large frame or the midframe New (note capital N) Vaquero, no 6.5s have been offered in any caliber because 6.5 was never an original/traditional Colt SAA offering--the "Old West" image of which the Vaquero line(s) have sought to emulate and portray to the buying public. Because of the adjustable sights and squared off topstrap styling of the Blackhawk line, not so much of an "exact SAA image" concern there, so some calibers have been available in 6.5--in fact a length ubiquitous with the standard (large frame) .357 Blackhawk for many years.

Note also, for reasons only known to Ruger, a few years ago they (and their distributors) took to calling all the smaller mid-frame New Vaqueros just "Vaquero" in their literature and ads though they are still New Vaqueros and say so on the frames. One anomaly however, also a puzzlement, is that the .44 Special New Vaqueros--which are truly midframes only--are labeled just Vaquero on the frames. A midframe, fixed sight Ruger is a New Vaquero regardless of that it says on the frame. OTOH, ALL large frame fixed sight are "Vaquero," period.

Also, New Vaquero (and Flattop) .357s (and .44 Specials for the most part) can safely fire virtually any load you can think of--not "just for CAS." The .45, because of critical space limitations of the smaller midframe cylinder--is the only one with any concern as to load, as others have described.

 

[chet15]

Ruger did make 550 of the model BNV-406 for the Friends of NRA events around the country in 1996. These were the only 6-1/2" barreled Vaqueros made, and they were in .44-40 so they are doubly interesting.
I imagine the barrel lengths marketed by Ruger (4-5/8", 5-1/2" and 7-1/2") have had more to do with the lengths of barrel stock obtained by Ruger.
Chet15

 

[EDK]

Original Size VAQUEROS were made with standard grip frames in traditional (or RUGER's approximation) single action barrel lengths of 4-5/8, 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 inch. The BISLEYs were 4 5/8 and 5 1/2. I am not aware of any 357 Original Size VAQUEROS made in 7 1/2 length. The market target was Cowboy Action Shooting and the change to the New VAQUERO was in response to complaints of "too big" and "too heavy."

I'm always on the scout for Original Size VAQUEROS in 357 and 44 magnum.

 

[street]

Also, on the Vaquero/New Vaquero lines barrel length is a marketing thing. Anything marked Vaquero whether the original large frame or the midframe New (note capital N) Vaquero, no 6.5s have been offered in any caliber because 6.5 was never an original/traditional Colt SAA offering--the "Old West" image of which the Vaquero line(s) have sought to emulate and portray to the buying public. Because of the adjustable sights and squared off topstrap styling of the Blackhawk line, not so much of an "exact SAA image" concern there, so some calibers have been available in 6.5--in fact a length ubiquitous with the standard (large frame) .357 Blackhawk for many years.

Note also, for reasons only known to Ruger, a few years ago they (and their distributors) took to calling all the smaller mid-frame New Vaqueros just "Vaquero" in their literature and ads though they are still New Vaqueros and say so on the frames. One anomaly however, also a puzzlement, is that the .44 Special New Vaqueros--which are truly midframes only--are labeled just Vaquero on the frames. A midframe, fixed sight Ruger is a New Vaquero regardless of that it says on the frame. OTOH, ALL large frame fixed sight are "Vaquero," period.

Also, New Vaquero (and Flattop) .357s (and .44 Specials for the most part) can safely fire virtually any load you can think of--not "just for CAS." The .45, because of critical space limitations of the smaller midframe cylinder--is the only one with any concern as to load, as others have described.

This is easier to understand:

ALL VAQUERO ARE NEW MODELS. Even the Old Model Vaqueros are "NEW MODELS" :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Olsherm]

My "original" Vaquero is and "old Model" I have had it for several years. AYUK<AYUK<AYUK LOL
Gotta have a little fun.