vaquero 44 40 ?

[44-357]

I found a SS ruger vaquero in 44 40 for $325 is that a good price on one?

 

[BlkHawk73]

It all bpils down to if it's a good price for you. Could be good and be something you don't really want and you pass. Could be a bit high and still be worth the price for you. All personal.
That said...on the whole, yes it's a decent price.

 

[Terry T]

You didn't mention barrel length or grip material. Some combinations are very low production. Even so, it is estimated that only about 10% of Vaquero production was in 44/40.

That being said, there was some trouble with the size of the forcing cone since Ruger used 44mag barrels. Some of the 44/40s shoot just fine and some do not. I think there are some threads on this forum about solutions if it doesn't shoot as well as it should.

It's a good price on a robust gun in a classic cal.
Terry T

 

[Glupy]

I am with you folks on the price being acceptable. It may be worth a lot more if it was one of the odd configurations too.

ANY Ruger Vaquero is a an excellent revolver at that price.

Dave

 

[44-357]

it has the 5 inch barrel and wood grips

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

That being said, there was some trouble with the size of the forcing cone since Ruger used 44mag barrels.

Howdy

It was not the forcing cone that was the issue.

Nominal rifling groove diameter for 44-40 was .427. Nominal rifling groove diameter for 44 Special and 44 Mag is .429. However to keep their inventory costs down Ruger used their standard .429 barrels for their 44-40 revolvers.

The issue was chamber throat size. Some of the early guns had chamber throats much too small, down around .425 or so. Couple that with the fact that most commercial 44-40 ammo was using bullets sized for a .427 barrel, and you had bullets being squeezed down as they emerged from the chamber throat to about .425. Then they would not properly engage the .429 rifling. Accuracy was terrible. Once these guns had their chamber throats reamed out to .429 or so they shot fine. Later in production Ruger managed to cut the chamber throats correctly for their .429 barrels.

The only way to know what you have is to either measure the chamber throats, or try dropping some test bullets of known diameter through.

 

[Terry T]

Thanks for the correction Driftwood. I was going by my (not like it used to be ) memory.
Terry T

 

[44-357]

the ssn to this gun is 55-53768 is that in the range where they fixed the cylinder issue

 

[SimplyRugged]

cylindersmith.com cas is a good guy & can solve throat problems.
But heck yeah if you want/need a 44/40, grab it at that price.
You might be able to cast around for a 44 mag cylinder as well.

 

[Rainman]

Cylindersmith fixed mine (a 7.5" stainless) and it shoots like a rifle! One of the best shooting Rugers I own. I load .427 cast and jacketed (W-W) bullets in it and the .429 barrel does just fine.

I would buy that gun in a heartbeat at that price!


Dan

 

[44-357]

thanks for the info guys.me and my friend are looking hard at it.

 

[Rainman]

44-357:

I noticed you're in NC. I'm close to Murphy. If you decide not to take it, PM me where if is if it's close to me.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[CraigC]

$325 is a fine price for any Vaquero in good condition. Regardless of the throats. That's an easy fix.

 

[44-357]

I think ill wait and get the 45 colt vaquero I found at another store.

 

[sdoyl123]

Very good price. I have 2 of the 44-40's with another on the way from GB's this week. So far no problems.