vaquero

[J. Yuma]

two questions
1. is the Vaquero as sturdy as a Super Blackhawk
2. is there a Vaquero chambered in .44 magnum?
thanks

 

[budhartrampf]

Depends on the Vaquaro, the old model, is built on the sbh frame and is as strong as a sbh and has been chambered in 44mag.

The newer Vaquaro is made with a smaller lighter frame, made for cowboy action shooters and is not as strong. I don't believe it is chambered in 44mag.

 

[Timbo23]

As mentioned, the older version of the Vaquero was built on the large frame that was also used for the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk and was chambered in 44 magnum. You can identify them by their serial numbers. The large frame Vaquero has a serial number with a TWO number prefix followed by a dash and five numbers. The mid-sized frame New Vaquero has a serial number with a THREE number prefix followed by a dash and five additional numbers.
Two versions of the Vaquero in 44 magnum are currently listed on Ruger's website.

 

[LDB]

I just got an original Vaquero at the gun show last weekend and it is HEAVY. Mine is .357 so I don't think there's any loading it won't shoot ok. Two pics as I got it and one after a swap to Altamont Santos Rosewood grips.

One with it and its cousin that also got grips.

 

[sharpblade7777]

two questions
1. is the Vaquero as sturdy as a Super Blackhawk
2. is there a Vaquero chambered in .44 magnum?
thanks

I own this new vaquero in 44mag.

 

[LDB]

two questions
1. is the Vaquero as sturdy as a Super Blackhawk
2. is there a Vaquero chambered in .44 magnum?
thanks

1. Certainly the original is as they used the same frame. The new smaller frame Vaquero? Can't personally say.
2. https://ruger.com

 

[J. Yuma]

I own this new vaquero in 44mag.View attachment 102383

I'm thinking I need to get another Ruger in case they change hands.
I want another single action with a short barrel, in .44.
A SBH would be preferred, I like the adjustable sight, but I now know that a Vaquero is a possibility.

Now I know what to look for.

thanks for the replies by all

 

[KRuger]

There is a version out there marked "new vaquero in" 44 mag. It is a large frame 2 digit prefix. There is/was a mid frame 3 digit prefix 44 special marked "vaquero." I'll let someone else tell the story of the whys behind both namings.
KR

 

[sharpblade7777]

1. Certainly the original is as they used the same frame. The new smaller frame Vaquero? Can't personally say.
2. https://ruger.com

I read somewhere the 44mag new vaquero actually had the same size frame as the original vaquero. I own the 44 mag and a 45acp new vaquero. I can tell the 44mag frame is bigger. Was just looking on ruger's website and they have my 44mag at 39oz and the 45acp at 37oz.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I'm thinking I need to get another Ruger in case they change hands.
I want another single action with a short barrel, in .44.
A SBH would be preferred, I like the adjustable sight, but I now know that a Vaquero is a possibility.

Now I know what to look for.

thanks for the replies by all

You may like this one.

 

[arcticruger]

two questions
1. is the Vaquero as sturdy as a Super Blackhawk
2. is there a Vaquero chambered in .44 magnum?
thanks

They’re out there, but getting harder to come by, and when you do find a nice used one they do command a premium.

 

[Hondo44]

two questions
1. is the Vaquero as sturdy as a Super Blackhawk
2. is there a Vaquero chambered in .44 magnum?
thanks

All Original Vaqueros, the New Vaquero .44 Mag and the NM Flattop Blackhawk 44 Mag are all made on the Super Blackhawk size frame.

But only all of the New Vaqueros and the NM Flattop Blackhawks have an additional advantage that none of other New Models have including the SBH!

The advantage is they have the RIPS feature, "Reverse Indexing Pawl System" which aligns the chambers properly with the loading gate for loading and unloading. That may help you decide which 44 Mag to buy.

 

[seasterl]

I bought a “New Vaquero” birdshead in 2020 in 44Mag. I think the biggest concern is to avoid Ruger-only 45Colt loads in the “New Vaquero”. Looks like we’re good with pics! LOL!

 

[s4s4u]

If a platform is safe to shoot 44 Magnum, it oughta be able to handle hot 45 Colt

 

[J. Yuma]

All Original Vaqueros, the New Vaquero .44 Mag and the NM Flattop Blackhawk 44 Mag are all made on the Super Blackhawk size frame.

But only all of the New Vaqueros and the NM Flattop Blackhawks have an additional advantage that none of other New Models have including the SBH!

The advantage is they have the RIPS feature, "Reverse Indexing Pawl System" which aligns the chambers properly with the loading gate for loading and unloading. That may help you decide which 44 Mag to buy.

I will have to check that out.
RIPS? Seems like a pun.

every time I load single action I wonder what it would be like if someone was returning fire?

I saw a youtube about Doc Holliday. It said that he hip holstered his SA, and kept a rare (for that era?) DA in a cross draw shoulder rig. Might be BS, but it sounds like something that a fella who got shot at a lot might do.

Thanks to some of y'all's coaching, I feel much better about DA.

In any event I really like shooting revolvers in either action. My Glock serves as home defense only, with an occasional outing to the range about every 4-6 months just to make sure I remember how to run it.

RIPS, sounds good.

 

[Hondo44]

If a platform is safe to shoot 44 Magnum, it oughta be able to handle hot 45 Colt

But the 45 colt is built on two different platforms, the mid frame and the large frame.

The New Vaqueros and NM Flattop Blackhawks are built on the mid-frame except in 44 mag which are built on the large SBH frame.

Therefore if one wants a 45 Ruger that's safe to shoots Ruger only loads, buy the standard Blackhawk which are all built on the large frame regardless of caliber.

If you want a 45 New Vaquero that's safe with 45 Ruger only loads, buy a 44 mag, and rechamber and re-barrel it to 45 Colt.
Or get an original Vaquero in 45, all original Vaqueros are built on the large frame.

 

[Hondo44]

I will have to check that out.
RIPS? Seems like a pun.

every time I load single action I wonder what it would be like if someone was returning fire?

I saw a youtube about Doc Holliday. It said that he hip holstered his SA, and kept a rare (for that era?) DA in a cross draw shoulder rig. Might be BS, but it sounds like something that a fella who got shot at a lot might do.

Just by removing one screw, spring and plunger in the hammer channel, Rugers with the RIPS design can be made to have a free spin cylinder (spins in both directions when loading gate is open).

A cylinder swap is the fastest way to reload a Single Action.

True, DAs (Colt 38 Lightning or Colt 41 Thunderer were also used by Billy the kid, Pat Garrett and John Wesley Hardin.

 

[s4s4u]

The New Vaqueros and NM Flattop Blackhawks are built on the mid-frame except in 44 mag which are built on the large SBH frame.

As I said...if the platform is capable of handling 44 Magnum, it should be able to handle hot 45 Colt

 

[Hondo44]

And still irrelevant; not the platform for 45 that's in question.

[B]seasterl[/B];
"I think the biggest concern is to avoid Ruger-only 45 Colt loads in the “New Vaquero”."

 

[gnappi]

As I said...if the platform is capable of handling 44 Magnum, it should be able to handle hot 45 Colt

+1!

My older model (2 digit prefix) 3.75" Vaquero in .45 Colt handles anything I stoke it with but I can't :-) Without adjustable sights it's persnickety about bullet weights and accuracy but I don't shoot it at distances where it would matter anyway.