Ruger Vaquero & NM Vaquero Birdsheads Same Grips- Need n

[Cherokee Slim]

I took delivery today of a new, test shell 12/8/2011, Ruger New Model Vaquero .45lc with the birdshead frame. I was surprised to see grips from my OM Vaquero were an exact fit.

Moulded into the frame in the curve is "MR00307" with an "A" in a square box on both guns. The NMV has an additional "C" in a circle moulded in.

My OMV has Ajax #33 stag grips on it and I'd like to get another pair but Ajax is out of business. Anybody know another source?

The hammer spur on the new NMV is almost 3 times as wide as the OMV and it is very easy to cock. I don't normally have a problem with slip hammering but I think this new wide spur would really help someone who has problems like that in a match. It's a really nice gun and now I'll be shooting SASS with two of the same guns again. You can't look at them and see a difference.
Cherokee Slim

 

[eric conrad]

Go to the auction links section here and look for stickey by sack peterson. He has nice grips. Eric

 

[flatgate]

CS, they ALL are New Models. Old Models have 3 screws. New Models have two pins. (Bearcats and New Bearcats not included.)

Vaqueros have larger cylinder frames and cylinders than do the New Vaqueros no matter which grip frame assembly is utilized. Vaqueros used standard Blackhawk hammers. Your New Vaquero evidently is fitted with a Montado hammer. It also has a much softer mainspring than does the Vaquero.

Vaquero and New Vaquero. Now, I'm not really "up to date" on all the versions so, perhaps, I just don't know what the heck I'm talking about here.

Pictures! We need pictures! :D

flatgate

 

[gak]

Sounds like what you've got is the new limited distribution (Davidsons? Lipseys?) .45 Birdshead, which, yes, would be the New Vaquero cylinder frame vs the large Vaquero. Also sounds like, from a grip panel standpoint, they've stayed with the former large frame Vaquero (and Single Six for that matter) birdshead grip, in which case panels would be interchangeable between the older/large and newer/mid-frame guns.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I think he has a Montado, not a birdshead.

 

[Cherokee Slim]

My old birdshead is marked Vaquero and I have had it for years. The new one is a NMV not a Montado. I bought it here and was hugely pleased with the seller ;

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=135339&highlight=

This birdshead makes my 10th Ruger sa revolver. I have 5 sets my grandkids and I shoot SASS with so I know the models. I am so surprised, and pleased, with the new one that I think I'll post pictures & measurements comparing them, probably on Monday. The stock number I bought from Mike Reber I don't see on the Ruger website. There aren't any non Ruger markings on it. Pictures on Monday.
Cherokee Slim

 

[Hondo44]

REVISED: I take it all back, I did not realize the Talo Birdshead came with the SBH wide target hammer.
Wide spur Montado target hammer, virtually the same as the SBH except for the checkering:

 

[gak]

Aren't we just talking about this recent Lipsey's/Talo .45 - complete with Montado-profile hammer (Cherokee Slim's "wide spur")??
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=130699

 

[protoolman]

Yes but they are just Super Blackhawk hammers on the new Vaquero Bird's Heads not Montado hammers.

 

[gak]

Yes but they are just Super Blackhawk hammers on the new Vaquero Bird's Heads not Montado hammers.

...thus my "Montado-profile" description--same same, but you are more correct. I was oggling my Sheriff (with transplanted Montado hammer) at the time :). I also have the SBH on a 4-5/8" .44--like 'em both equally.

 

[Olsherm]

I just looked at two in GS today.One was 45 colt and the other was 45ACP cal.Both had either Montado or Super Blackhawk hammers.Grips were of a tapered design kinda like "gunfighter style". I really wanted the 45ACP model.But I haven't traded for it yet.Fella offered me a pretty good trade on a 50th anniversary .357 flattop I have but I just couldn't turn loose of the money today.HA

 

[Terry T]

This is interesting. I have a couple of extra grip panels for the original Vaquero Bird's Head and I like the feel of them better than the slimmer 'gunfighter' grips on the New Vaquero. The New Vaquero 45 ACP is still at the shop 'cooling off' for 10 days so I can't verify the fit but this sounds great! :D
Terry T

 

[Hondo44]

I took delivery today of a new, test shell 12/8/2011, Ruger New Model [New] Vaquero .45lc with the birdshead frame. I was surprised to see grips from my [original NM]Vaquero [Birdshead] were an exact fit.

My [original NM]V has Ajax #33 stag grips on it and I'd like to get another pair but Ajax is out of business. Anybody know another source?

The hammer spur on the NM [New] Vaq. is almost 3 times as wide as the OMV and it is very easy to cock. I don't normally have a problem with slip hammering but I think this new wide spur would really help someone who has problems like that in a match. It's a really nice gun and now I'll be shooting SASS with two of the same guns again. You can't look at them and see a difference.
Cherokee Slim

Pls note: I have added correct terms in brackets in your quote above just to eliminate confusion.

Here's a list of stag grip suppliers to match what you have:
http://www.google.com/search?q=stag+grips&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF_en

The hammers in the two guns you have are not the same height although they will interchange.
From Ruger or Brownell's you can purchase a NM Flat Top Blackhawk hammer that will fit your New Vaq. MID-SIZE frame and match your original Vaq. Or you can purchase a FULL-SIZE frame SBH hammer for your original Vaq. to match your NV.

Recognize you will notice the different weigts of the original Vaq. and New Vaq. when shooting. I prefer a pair of matching weight guns for SASS.

 

[Cherokee Slim]

My original is not New Model Vaquero unless Ruger forgot to mark it so. It says Vaquero, as does the paperwork. All my New Model Vaqueros are marked New Model Vaquero. I'm starting another thread with pictures comparing the two.
Cherokee Slim

 

[gak]

My original is not New Model Vaquero unless Ruger forgot to mark it so. It says Vaquero, as does the paperwork. All my New Model Vaqueros are marked New Model Vaquero. I'm starting another thread with pictures comparing the two.
Cherokee Slim

I believe you mean "...marked New Vaquero," and NOT "marked New Model Vaquero.".

All models with the word Vaquero in it--original large and newer, mid-frame alike--are New Model Rugers, signifying post 73 manufacture, just like all Ruger revolvers since that date, IIRC. The use of the word "Model" (especially capitalized) combined with the word Vaquero is at the same time both redundant--as to the Ruger era part since all of the Vaquero line of single actions of the fixed sight, smooth topstrap design are New Model Rugers--and confusing, because of the existence of the New Vaquero. There is no "Old Model Vaquero" (with capitalized O and M), only old (lower case o), large, large-frame, or original Vaquero.*

In short (?), all the Vaqueros I've ever seen say either Vaquero or New Vaquero, no mention of "Model." Someone correct me.

* One anomaly: Ruger is labeling the small(er) mid-frame New Vaquero .44 Special just "Vaquero" on the frame (rest assured, all .44 Special "Vaqueros" are New Vaqueros),...and adding to the confusion in recent years by calling all New Vaqueros just "Vaqueros" in their (and most distributors') ads and literature.