Who else wants the old Vaqueros to come back out?

[weiss27md]

I have a old Vaquero in .45 Colt and it is such a great gun. I wish I could get like 2 more of them. They must be hard to find.

 

[c.r.]

especially in the bisley configuration

 

[Dale53]

I am not big on fixed sighted sixguns (they never seem to shoot to the sights with loads I want to use).

However, when I was shooting BPCR Silhouette, there were several venues that offered "side matches" with revolvers. The rules stated "fixed sights" and black powder (or substitute).

I bought a 4 5/8" Vaquero. With Lyman's 452644 250 gr cast Cowboy Bullet, mine shot perfect windage right out of the box. It shot a bit low but the front sight was plenty high to file down so the POA and POI coincided. I spread the sight regulation over three range sessions to make sure I didn't over do it. After I had it regulated, I decided I wanted a 5½" Bisley Vaquero. I sold my Vaquero (got more than I paid for it from a Dealer because he had seen me shoot it and knew it had a trigger job and was properly regulated).

I immediately bought a new Ruger Bisley Vaquero 5½. Right out of the box, it shot to the sights at 25 yards. Amazing. The sight picture with a Vaquero and Bisley Vaquero is quite good for a fixed sighted gun and for once my plan worked. I won quite a few matches with that gun and it is a keeper (in SPITE of it's fixed sights :wink: ).

So, you can say I am a fan of the original Vaquero.

Dale53

 

[Hondo44]

I have a old Vaquero in .45 Colt and it is such a great gun. I wish I could get like 2 more of them. They must be hard to find.

What barrel length do you want and blue or SS? I have searches on all the auctions and anything you want will turn up. Prices can be from wild to mild, but anything you want comes along in time.

Here's a 4 5/8" blue one, slightly used $440.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/949670484/Guns/Pistols/Ruger-Single-Action-Revolvers/Cowboy-Action/Ruger_Old_Vaquero_45_Colt_6_Shot_Rev_4_62_Bl_20037.htm?wl=1

Here's a blue 5 1/2" $475
http://www.gunsamerica.com/992620507/Guns/Pistols/Ruger-Single-Action-Revolvers/Cowboy-Action/Ruger_Old_Vaquero_45LC_5_1_2_blue_Faux_Ivory_Gri.htm?wl=1

 

[BlkHawk73]

There's a LOT pf them out there. Just gotta look. My usual haunt always has at least one or two of the Vaqueros.

 

[chet15]

Well, kinda surprised me that Ruger would drop the .44 Mag. Vaquero since that was a pretty popular model...2nd in popularity to the .45 Colt.
I think Ruger could still sell pretty good quanties in .44 Mag.
Chet15

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have always liked the Vaquero better. I thought the grip was a better fit for me than the New Vaquero. That is until I started shooting the Lipsey's 44 SP Blackhawks. Maybe there is something to those smaller grips...hmmmmm.

I already had quite a few Vaqs before they were discontinued but picked up a 5 1/2" blue/case 44 Mag and a Matt Dillon style 7 1/2" SS 45 Colt (just had to have one of those even though I prefer the shorter barrels) not too long ago. Ever notice that guys like Matt and Paladin liked the longer barrels? That 7 1/2" one is a great companion piece for "protection" when watching old westerns, dontcha know :wink:

There are still many used Vaqs that show up in my area, particularly now that even non-gamer CAS shooters seem to be moving away from 45 Colt to 38 SP since loaded ammo & bullets have become so expensive recently. One of the things I didn't see happen that I expected right after the New Vaqs hit the market is a bunch of used Vaqs showing up as trade ins. I guess folks just liked them and kept them! If you get one that shoots to POA for your particular favorite load, you have a real classic. My 44 Mag one does with a 240 LSWC running about 1150fps. It'll easily keep them in the black of a B-8 shooting offhand at 50 yds on a good day for me. What more could you ask of one? If there is any Vaq that definately needs to be brought back, the 44 Mag is one.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

It's a funny thing, back before the New Vaquero came out there were plenty of folks clamoring for a Vaquero more the size of a Colt. I remember this well. So as soon as the New Vaquero came out and Ruger stopped production of the 'original model' Vaquero, folks started clamoring for the old version.

I suppose in a perfect world, Ruger would have continued production of both models, but it was quite clear at the time the New Vaquero came out that Ruger was on a quest to lower the different SKU numbers they had to inventory. That is why they stopped production of the Old Army recently.

There are plenty of used 'original model' Vaqueros in shops in my area, although they don't go for $250 anymore like they used to. Most that I see are 45 Colt. Probably bought by guys who wanted to shoot cowboy but later discovered that they did not want to shoot 45s. Probably traded in for 38s.

Around these parts, plenty of "non-gamer" CAS shooters still shoot 45s. I do. And most reload their own ammo, so they don't have to pay today's prices for loaded ammo. Reloading components are expensive enough. Same with 38s, most shooters that I know load their own.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Howdy

It's a funny thing, back before the New Vaquero came out there were plenty of folks clamoring for a Vaquero more the size of a Colt. I remember this well. So as soon as the New Vaquero came out and Ruger stopped production of the 'original model' Vaquero, folks started clamoring for the old version.

I suppose in a perfect world, Ruger would have continued production of both models, but it was quite clear at the time the New Vaquero came out that Ruger was on a quest to lower the different SKU numbers they had to inventory. That is why they stopped production of the Old Army recently.

There are plenty of used 'original model' Vaqueros in shops in my area, although they don't go for $250 anymore like they used to. Most that I see are 45 Colt. Probably bought by guys who wanted to shoot cowboy but later discovered that they did not want to shoot 45s. Probably traded in for 38s.

Around these parts, plenty of "non-gamer" CAS shooters still shoot 45s. I do. And most reload their own ammo, so they don't have to pay today's prices for loaded ammo. Reloading components are expensive enough. Same with 38s, most shooters that I know load their own.

Yep all I heard from the guys was Geeeeeee I wish these were the size of Colts. Well now there are close.

Hey Driftwood check your PM,
Jim

 

[sdoyl123]

Just picked up one on an auction today for $300 in very good condition with box. Will see in a few days.
There out there. Watch the auctions as alot of people just listed them as Vaquero's.

 

[gunman42782]

I wish they would. I like em better than the New ones.

 

[BlackEagle]

Here's my favorite pair of .44 magnums.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Yep look good with the gunfighter grips.\
Jim

 

[BlackEagle]

Thanks Jim, I got them from Eagle Grips. And those are New Vaquero hammers. Other than those two changes and a "Poor Boy Trigger Job" they are as they came from the factory and work GREAT!

 

[kooz]

Well, I guess I'll be the minority here and say that I never liked them and thought they were to big. I think bringing them back would be a mistake

 

[BlackEagle]

I think these are about as small and handy as I would want in a .44 magnum.

 

[Hondo44]

I always thought my Vaq 44 Mags were two heavy; they are safe queens and just sit there. I like my NV 45 much more. But I wish Ruger still made them so everyone could have what they want.

 

[BlackEagle]

I always thought my Vaq 44 Mags were two heavy; they are safe queens and just sit there. I like my NV 45 much more. But I wish Ruger still made them so everyone could have what they want.

Are they blue or stainless? What barrel length? Consecutive numbers? I might have a buyer if you want to sell them.

 

[chet15]

Well, I guess I'll be the minority here and say that I never liked them and thought they were to big. I think bringing them back would be a mistake

Unless you wanted one in .44 Mag. :)
Chet15

 

[Hondo44]

I always thought my Vaq 44 Mags were two heavy; they are safe queens and just sit there. I like my NV 45 much more. But I wish Ruger still made them so everyone could have what they want.

Are they blue or stainless? What barrel length? Consecutive numbers? I might have a buyer if you want to sell them.

Hi BkackEagle, they are blue, 4 5/8 and not consecutive but 42 numbers apart. I had three and let go of one to get the NV Montado. I'll probably let them go at some point but it'll take something I need to have, to brake the emotional bond, if you know what I mean.

 

[DCRuger]

I wish Ruger would re-do the Birdsheads in the New Vaquero size!
Also, figure out how to do a decent Case Hardening copy and start using that again. I just don't like the Vaqs with all black. The Italians have darn nice CH looks.
D.

 

[edorfox]

Hi,

I got a Vaquero in 44mag just this July, NIB, from the "Genie"...
BNV475-C RUG VAQUERO 44M SA 5.5B 1 $511.74 $511.74
Actually, it turned out to be the last one they had. It may very well turn out to be a safe queen. I think it's "special" because the warning rollmark is on the bottom of the barrel, well out of sight. It is pictured here with it's little brother...

Ed

 

[ar15ed]

i fell in love with the original vaquero when they came out. i have had several, but i kinda held out on the "new" vaquero, when it came along. then, i finally found a deal on a "new" 4 5/8 45, and i will have to honestly admit that is is one of my all-time favorite guns. i have since purchased a few more "new"s as well as a few more originals. i like them both, but don't necessarily think ruger ought to re-release the originals. i say let them become part of ruger's rich history, and keep them viable on the used market. i do agree that they need to come up with a substantial case-color process, and start that up again. i guess the solid blue is interesting once in a while, but the case color just screams "cowboy gun"!

 

[jrod]

I wish they still made the .44 magnum Vaquero in stainless with 4 5/8" bbl. It's a great outdoors/survival Revolver.

 

[Dave T]

I want what Ruger will never make...a 3-screw Vaquero in either size, although personally I like the feel of the NV. Bet they don't even have the master moulds for the old 3-screw frames and if they did they'd have to modify them to a fixed sight configuration. Oh well, it's Flat-tops and OMs for me.

Dave

 

[TRanger]

Not me. I much prefer the New Vaquero. Didn't they make about 700,000 of the original Vaquero? They should be very easy to find if anyone wants one.

 

[c.r.]

I want what Ruger will never make...a 3-screw Vaquero in either size, although personally I like the feel of the NV. Bet they don't even have the master moulds for the old 3-screw frames and if they did they'd have to modify them to a fixed sight configuration. Oh well, it's Flat-tops and OMs for me.

Dave

Dave, don't let that stop you. Take a look at what bowen did here
http://bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/RugerBest_r1_c1.htm

There's also a real nice fella running around the boards that had an OM blacktop welded up and an OM Single Six dovetail rear sight made. probably one of the slickest set-ups i've seen.

~c.r.

 

[Dale53]

You have to have DEEP pockets for that kind of work...

Me, I'll take a 50th Anniversary Flattop or a .44 Lipsey Special. Not only GREAT revolvers by most ANY standard but a heck of a value, also.

My hat's off the Ruger for these great pieces for the outdoors.

Dale53

 

[BlackEagle]

Very nice Ed. Great picture.

 

[Dave T]

c.r. I would have to go with Dale. Sure someone can build a 3-screw Vaquero if I have enough money. If Ruger would make one it would be reasonably priced and readily available. Well, maybe not (LOL). There would probably be a waiting list made up of old geezers like me who live in the past. (smile)

Dave