Vaquero questions

[EdF702]

I recently picked up a "new to me" .45 LC Vaquero made in 1993 I believe. It's a very well preserved piece and it's been a hoot to shoot!

It's my first single action and I've got a couple of "newbie" questions... First, when I shoot the Vaquero, I get a fair amount of residue on my trigger finger. It's not uncomfortable or anything like that, but none of my double action revolvers do this. Is this "normal"?

Secondly, the Vaquero shoots @2 inches left. I thought it may have been me not being "used to" the grip and fit of the single action, so I got out the rest and sure enough, it's consistently 2 inches left. Does it need to go to a gunsmith for adjustment? Is the platform "inaccurate"?

I love the gun, and don't mind spending a bit of time or money on "straightening it out".... Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

 

[contender]

Congrats on your first (of most likely many) single-actions.
I'm not sure why you get residue on your trigger finger. I get residue all over my hands when I shoot a lot. Never gave it a thought. However, it could be how you position your hands, your finger or whatever between shots. Maybe rub-off as you handle it? I get residue when I shoot my 1911's too. I just assume it's from handling.

As for shooting left. Well, it could be how you are holding it. If you try & "tame" the recoil too much by not allowing the gun to roll a little in the hand, it may be why.
Or, the ammo. Sometimes the ammo used isn't matched to the gun as good as other ammo.
But lastly, since it's a Vaquero, it doesn't have adjustable sights, and the sight alignment might be just a smidgen off to where it shoots a little bit left. THe remedy is to either have the barrel turned SLIGHTLY, or to file a SMALL amount out of the rear sight channel, or some folks try & bend the front blade SLIGHTLY.
All those remedys should be done by someone who knows how & what to do.

 

[stantheman86]

I have yet to see a Ruger that isn't properly regulated from the factory but I'm sure they exist

When I got back into handgun shooting after a few years away from it, I often would "pull" my shots to the right or "push" to the left from my trigger pull. I would often have trouble adjusting the sights on adjustable guns, since my trigger pull would keep changing. On fixed sight guns I would think some of them were "off" but it was just me, shifting the gun at the last split second before firing from my trigger pull.

 

[rugerguy]

as Stan, notes, a LOT is the location of and how YOU hold (grip) and the trigger finger is placed....short fingers, LONG fingers, can and will "make a difference", then worry about the gun.........

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Vaquero in Spanish means " Shoots Low to The Left"
Seems the EARLY 45s are worse than others. Yea I got a few and shoot Left and Right handed. Alan Harton a world class G'Smith fixed a bunch of them for CAS shooters. How you might ask :lol: By BENDING THE Barrels a wee bit :wink:
Trying to turn the barrel doesn't always work goes the wrong way. I have already tried it Filing the right side of the notch maybe.
Jiim

 

[stantheman86]

I guess the early Vaqueros were more like Colt Peacemakers in that respect, the Colt Model P's were notorious for being far off the POA vs. POI, most notably low and left.

I don't have a Peacemaker but I have a Colt Police Positive that shoots way left, even from a sandbag rest.

 

[jeffnles1]

Yep, bent the front sight blade on mine, shoots pretty much POA now. Just have to use a little bit of Kentucky Windage to get it spot on.

Fun gun to shoot.

Jeff

 

[Hondo44]

It's possible that it shoots that way. But 1st I would carefully 'eyeball' the front sight and make sure it is perfectly vertical. If it is, make sure you're pulling the trigger straight back with only the ball of your fingertip and not wrapping your finger around the trigger which will make it shoot to the left. Also let someone else shoot your gun and see how it shoots for them. If it still shoots left for you and others only then would I think about modifying the gun. And if you do, I would file the rear sight notch slightly wider on the RIGHT side.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Without directly addressing IF the sights need correctiong , SAs are MUCH more sensitive to variations in gripping than DAs. Placement of trigger finger , placement of fingers on grip, and particularily how tightly you grip with gunhand.

Perfect and standardize your grip before considering any sight changes.

 

[Hammerdown77]

You guys that bend the front sight and still have a front sight attached to the barrel afterwards.....what's your technique?

 

[EdF702]

Thanks for the tips guys... Sorry I'm slow to respond, but I've been traveling and no internet.

I don't doubt that my grip for SA could use some work.... I'm not the best pistol shot anyway, but this Vaquero is hurting my feelings! I generally shoot my revolvers better than my semi autos though and I guess I expected too much too soon.... That's cool, what else is more fun to "work on" than shooting?

I reload, and I just got 3 different bullets to load for the .45LC, maybe one of them will be the ticket.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed