Vaquero shoots WAY left...

[atarian]

Went to the range today - .45 Colt Vaquero shoots left a huge amount - about 9" at 15 yards. Had somone else fire it and same thing.

What to do now as obviously the sights are not adjustable. Fixed sights always kinda make me wonder the first time I got to shoot, but my S&W 3" .357 shoots dead on. Heck even my Taurus .44 special does.

Time to cut my losses and trade for a GP100 or Redhawk? What would the factory charge to fix this? I am not the original buyer...

Thanks all.

 

[mrbumps]

I would send it back to Ruger. The barrel was probably turned too much when installed, so the front sight is not centered. They can turn the barrel and get the gun shooting straight for you.

 

[flatgate]

I'd take a close look at the "angle" of the front sight. It's hard to believe Ruger would install one "out of plumb", but, stuff happens.

Sometimes one can fix it at home, as well. Bowen has addressed the issue and developed a "method"...... LINK

flatgate

PS I can't imagine Ruger would install a front sight prior to seating the barrel within the receiver. :shock: The barrels are "set" with a predetermined torque THEN the sight slots are milled and the ejector housing screw holes are drilled and tapped.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I had this issue with a Cimarron Model P in .45 Colt. Upon inspection, I could see the front sight tilting left from the centerline of the top strap. Sent it back to Cimarron to have the barrel turned. No charge. It was dead plumb when it came back.

 

[Old Judge Creek]

A buncha years ago my brand new 44 mag Bisley Vaquero was printing a full 18" left of aim at (IIRC) 8 yards! An examination of the front sight showed why.

I called Ruger, sent it back and 10 days later it was delivered to my door.

I had a SASS match the following day and decided to chance it.

Good ol' Ruger... It printed dead on! And has ever since... LOL.

I suggest you send it back.

 

[Yermo]

I have the same issue with a Birdshead New Vaquero (3.75'' barrel) I bought brand new in January.
Shoots to the left, and if you look down the sights the front sight appears to be tilting to the right. I showed the gun to a lot of friends here, and let some of them shoot it. Everyone had the same impression and similar results with target practice.
I understand two inches of windage is not a big deal, but I couldn't help but being irritated by that. While shooting this gun I ended guessing and thinking about how much mental adjustment to make instead of concentrating on improving my technique.
In my limited experience, most fixed sight single action guns shoot low if you aim at 6 o'clock like you're supposed to. However, somehow I found elevation problem easier to adjust mentally. I usually aim at 12 o'clock with my other .45 LC Vaquero (old model 5.5'' barrel) and it hits dead center. Aiming higher than 6 o'clock doesn't bother me, I even set my adjustable sights Rugers to shoot a little higher than factory settings - all to satisfactory results.

I called Ruger, and they told me to ship the Birdshead back to them with a letter of explanation. The guy sounded friendly, but I got the impression they get a lot of similar complaint from inexperienced shooters. He said something about shooting low and left being a common problem. I thought it would be better to send them a sample target.

Yesterday I took the gun to the range. I was shooting off-hand from 10 yards out, which is closer than my usual distance with short barreled single actions.
First shot I aimed at the right edge of the paper. It hit at the edge of the largest circle right at 3 o'clock. That's two inches.
Then I aimed at the hole and fired three shots. They hit exactly two inches to the left toward the center, touching the black and making a rugged hole, Aiming at that hole I was finally able to hit the bullseye.
The next shot aimed at the bullseye landed once again two inches to the left. I thought the pattern was obvious.
Later last night I packed the gun, put my target in the box and took it to FedEx.

My question is, will they be willing/able to fix it, and was it worth my spending a hundred dollars to ship it?
The Ruger guy said I had to pay for the shipping to them, but they will pay for the return.

 

[DanChamberlain]

For two inches, I'd fix it myself. You can open up the rear notch a smidgen in the direction you want the bullet to go. 2 inches shouldn't require but a ghosting of metal removal.

Dan

 

[tek4260]

Several of my revolvers shot to the left. As I learned proper grip and lightened the trigger pull, they all shot closer to center. Actually, my sights are all centered now. Tight grip, without wrapping your off hand finger around the trigger guard. Press the trigger with the tip of your finger rather than pulling with the trigger resting in the first joint.

 

[Yermo]

Dan,

You're probably right. I could have done it myself. Now I feel like I'm out $100 just to see how Ruger will deal with that.

 

[Rclark]

about 9" at 15 yards.

That is way too much to be corrected with a file. Need to send back, or have a gunsmith turn the barrel.

Several of my revolvers shot to the left. I learned....

All depends if you are left handed or right handed on which way it may tend to shoot :) .... My Vaquero shot to the left too, and I am left handed. Had to file a bit on my rear sight to bring it in.