ace hanlon
Bearcat
Is it possible to convert a couple of 44 vaquero's to 32-20? If yes, how difficult is it to find the barrel and cylinders?
Vaquero's
- Thread starter ace hanlon
- Start date
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Finding those parts could prove to be a challenge. Lots of luck!!
Hondo44
Hawkeye
It would have to be custom parts by one of the well known Ruger smiths. But not a difficult conversion at all. I have a list of them if interested. About $500 at least.
It's just about impossible to find parts as Chuck wrote. If you mean original full size Vaq 44 Mags, the 32-20 Vaq and Buckeye Blackhawk guns are too rare so very unlikely anyone would sell the cyl/barrel or convert them to something else. Ruger won't sell any cyl/barrel even if they had them.
It is impossible for the 44 Spl New Vaq because thay are mid-frames and no 32-20 parts were made for the mid-frames.
It's just about impossible to find parts as Chuck wrote. If you mean original full size Vaq 44 Mags, the 32-20 Vaq and Buckeye Blackhawk guns are too rare so very unlikely anyone would sell the cyl/barrel or convert them to something else. Ruger won't sell any cyl/barrel even if they had them.
It is impossible for the 44 Spl New Vaq because thay are mid-frames and no 32-20 parts were made for the mid-frames.
EDK
Single-Sixer
Check out BOWEN CLASSIC ARMS. They have already done some work on NEW VAQUEROS and caliber changes, etc. Their book shows an Old Model Blackhawk 357 converted to 32/20 IIRC...same size frame.
All it takes is yankee dollars.
All it takes is yankee dollars.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
The very simplest way to have a 32-20 Vaquero is to start with a .32 H&R Mag 'Vaquerito'. This is the same size as the single six with fixed sights. Below are my two 32-20 conversions. the 1st is the adjustable sight .32 version, but either frame will work. It's actually a better size frame for the cartridge. The mid-size New Vaquero and large frame original Vaquero are way oversize for the 32-20 IMO.
The 32-20 cartridge pressure is well under the 32 H&R Mag that the Rugers were designed for so a very safe conversion. All that is required is reaming the chambers with a 32-20 finishing reamer from Brownells that I did myself by hand. You can use the original cylinder or obtain an extra cylinder on Gunbroker. They are easy to find and under $100, sometimes as low as $50. I bought an extra cylinder and made my 32 single six and Old Model 22 singles six 'convertibles'. Yes the single six cylinder is a little short. So reloading helps.
I shorten some cases and reload them or I use factory loaded rounds and simply run them into my seating die to push the bullet deep enough to fit the cylinder. The 32-20 cartridge has more case capacity than needed and actually becomes a more efficient cartridge with some of the extra, unused case capacity reduced. Both long and short versions feed well in my .32-20 Winchester '92 companion rifle.
Here's my new model .32 H&R Mag:Bisley hammer, with modified spur, Stainless Steel grip frame, steel ejector rod housing, SBH grooved trigger w/web removed, Colt ejector rod, and free-spin cylinder pawl. I reamed the original 32 cylinder to 327 Fed Mag. And a another to 32-20.
And here's my old model. After converting the frame to center fire, I reamed one 32 H&R Mag cylinder to 327 Fed Mag. And since then added another reamed to 32-20.
On both guns, the loading chute had to be enlarged slightly for the larger rim diameter of the 32-20:
The 32-20 cartridge pressure is well under the 32 H&R Mag that the Rugers were designed for so a very safe conversion. All that is required is reaming the chambers with a 32-20 finishing reamer from Brownells that I did myself by hand. You can use the original cylinder or obtain an extra cylinder on Gunbroker. They are easy to find and under $100, sometimes as low as $50. I bought an extra cylinder and made my 32 single six and Old Model 22 singles six 'convertibles'. Yes the single six cylinder is a little short. So reloading helps.
I shorten some cases and reload them or I use factory loaded rounds and simply run them into my seating die to push the bullet deep enough to fit the cylinder. The 32-20 cartridge has more case capacity than needed and actually becomes a more efficient cartridge with some of the extra, unused case capacity reduced. Both long and short versions feed well in my .32-20 Winchester '92 companion rifle.
Here's my new model .32 H&R Mag:Bisley hammer, with modified spur, Stainless Steel grip frame, steel ejector rod housing, SBH grooved trigger w/web removed, Colt ejector rod, and free-spin cylinder pawl. I reamed the original 32 cylinder to 327 Fed Mag. And a another to 32-20.
And here's my old model. After converting the frame to center fire, I reamed one 32 H&R Mag cylinder to 327 Fed Mag. And since then added another reamed to 32-20.
On both guns, the loading chute had to be enlarged slightly for the larger rim diameter of the 32-20:
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2014
- Messages
- 216
I have never heard anyone call the .32 Single Sixes "Vaqueritos" before....here is mine, it has the rounded frame and fixed sights.
Top one is the old model Vaquero in 45 Colt, bottom one is the .32 H&R Single Six
Top one is the old model Vaquero in 45 Colt, bottom one is the .32 H&R Single Six
Hondo44
Hawkeye
It was a Ruger marketing name:
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2014
- Messages
- 216
Hondo44 said:It was a Ruger marketing name:
now see that, I learned something new already!
