Do the Ruger Vaquero and the Blackhawk share the same frame?

F

farmboy

New member
I'm now the owner of a New Model Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel, and I'm quite happy with it. But as I shop for holsters I find a lot of them saying that they're the right size of the Vaquero, but no mention of the Blackhawk.

Are they basically the same size, or are they completely different guns?
 
I think the old model vacquero had the same size frame as the blackhawk. The new model vacquero is definitely smaller. "New" model, when referring to the Blackhawk, means post 1973 with the transfer bar system. The current model Blackhawk and Vaquero have different frames.
 
It depends there are basicly two frame sizes most NMBHs are large frame the exceptions are the mid frame flat tops 357,44 special and 45 colt. Before 2005 Vaqueros are on the large frame and New Vaqueros are on the mid frame caution the 44 special Vaqueros aren't marked New but are still mid framed.
It'll also depend on the holster as if it's cut to fit the trough sight on the Vaquero tightly a Blackhawk's adjustable sight may be a tight fit.
 
Gets a bit confusing, doesn't it?

When the original model Vaquero came out in 1993 it was built on the same frame as the New Model Blackhawk, the only real difference being a simple blade front sight instead of a ramped front sight, the lack of the adjustable rear sight, and the top strap contoured to resemble the Colt Single Action Army.

In 2005 Ruger stopped making that model of the Vaquero and brought out the New Vaquero. About 10% smaller overall to bring it down to the same size as the SAA. There are other changes, but the New Vaquero was a bit smaller.

A few years ago Ruger offered a smaller version of the Blackhawk, specifically chambered for 44 Special and a couple of other cartridges.

To make matters worse, Ruger appears to have dropped the word 'New' from the catalog for the Vaquero, but it is still the smaller size.

To bring it to the matter of holsters, I have a holster specifically made for the older, larger style Vaquero that I wear on my gunbelt in CAS. These days a Colt sits in that holster. It sits down a little bit further in the holster, but not enough to really matter.
 
A few years ago Ruger offered a smaller version of the Blackhawk, specifically chambered for 44 Special and a couple of other cartridges.
Click to expand...
Actually the first smaller frame Blackhawk was the 50th anniversary 357 that came out the same year the New Vaquero did. The Lipsey 44 Special was a few years later.
 
The medium frame .44Spec became a cataloged flattop BH after Lipseys run. The other medium frame BH is in .45 Colt/.45 ACP from Lipseys. Like 'em very much. As Taffin said, 'Victory at Last' :) . Now all they have to do is make the medium frame .357 (original platform until the New Model introduced in early 70s) a cataloged flattop and dump the large frame 357 BH.

Original Vaquero and large frame New Model BH same frame size and cylinder.
New Vaquero and the medium frame New Model flattops same frame size and cylinder with the exception of the large frame .44Mag 50th Annivesary flattop (all .44Mags are on the large frame).
 
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