New Vaquero-Who's Lying

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Bullrock

New member
I recently purchased a slightly used Vaquero, and found it awkward to load, and unload during my first shoot with it. I posted about it, but didn't find an answer, until I found the following posted on another thread.
Besides the new smaller frame of the New Vaquero, there are a couple of other improvements that make this sixgun better than the original. Unlike any other Ruger Blackhawks, Single-Sixes, or Vaqueros built since 1973, the new Vaquero has chambers that align properly with the loading gate for easier loading and unloading of the cylinder. On the other sixguns, when the cylinder was rotated until it "clicked", it had turned too far, and had to be rotated completely around to align the chamber with the loading gate. In the New Vaquero, Ruger has incorporated a cylinder hand that retracts, and added a cylinder index button that is spring loaded. It works to perfectly align the chambers with the loading gate, just like on the Old Model Rugers that were built before 1973.
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So now I want a new Vaquero. My dealer tells me he has been trying every month since January to get one for another customer, and the SS's are still not available .... :confused:

I called Ruger. They told me they were making SS Vaquero's like crazy, and they are readily available everywhere. :confused:

So who's giving me a snow job, and does anyone know where I can find one of these beautiful action guns??? :confused:
 
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Don't be afraid to buy online. There are several good auction sites and that also list dealers that will accept delivery of the firearm and do the necessary paper work for a fee. Most are charging $20.00. I have saved a few dollars on several purchases and would do it again.
Nighthunter
 
There's no real trick to loading and unloading the older models. It's really quite easy especially if you have a fluted cylinder because the flutes will help you align the chambers with the ejector rod. It's certainly not worth the expense in going out and getting another revolver. Just learn to use what you already have.
 
I dare say your dealer cannot find a distributor that stocks the new Vaqueros. The secondary issue is that the new Vaqueros were produced with defective firing parts in part of their initial run. Ruger rounded them up and replaced the defective parts. That created a temporary shortage some months ago. I tend to believe your dealer is not looking in the right places. www.galleryofguns.com
 
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The new 50th Anniversary Blackhawks work the same way. It is pretty darn nice in actual use. It was _so_ easy with the older models to go just a _little_ too far and then "click" you have to go all the way around again! My new 50th is the nicest Ruger I have ever bought and that goes back to 1982.

Just make the darn things in .41 and .44 Special and I'll line up to buy more!!!

Gregg
 
Have been hearing RUMORS and that only, of people blowing up the newer Vaqueros using the same high loads they shot in the older ones.Just wonder if any truth to it??????????
 
You're in Maine

Haven't you gone to Kittery Trading Post? They had them months ago.
We had none in MA until this week and they are starting to "flood" in.
Two dealers I'm aware of received four on Tuesday. They are coming.
 
They are out there, you just have to do a little digging.
I agree withy Majic. It's your money to toss around as you please, but I'd be learnin' my firearm with more than one shooting. Use those flutes and notches instead of looking at that big black hole. You also have the option of Power Customizing it.
 
Whoaa..friends!

Rumors about Rugers blowing up are a bad thing. I really think it ought to be substantiated don't you? If you have direct examples and evidence please post.
Otherwise........
 
Rumors about Rugers blowing up are a bad thing. I really think it ought to be substantiated don't you? If you have direct examples and evidence please post.
Otherwise........
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Well, it's obvious the guns have been substantially changed. It's probably a good thing for people to talk about it. The original New Models in .45 Colt are "chubby" around the cylinder and frame. The good news was that it helped to make them hell for strong. But it made them feel "wrong" in a hand that really wanted a Colt SAA. So people pestered Ruger for years to make them more "Colt like" in feel. To do that they had to use less steel. Probably doesn't make any difference in .357 Magnum but the chamber walls are getting fairly thin in .45 Colt. I think the reloading manuals are going to have to put in more warnings. The "old" New Models (Blackhawks, Vaqueros, Bisley Vaqueros, etc.) will be the ones for the hot "Ruger Only" loads. The newer Rugers aren't unsafe or anything but they should be used with "Colt SAA and replicas" type of loads. If the load is safe to shoot in a modern replica, it will be perfectly safe in the new Rugers. They just aren't the "closet Magnums" they used to be!

Look at the pictures in this review to see what we are talking about: http://gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

Gregg
 
Can you get a free-spin pawl for the new Vaq yet? I know you can find them for the original Vaquero, BH, and Single-Six. Never tried one myself, but it might be something to think about.
 
Mine doesn't have the "key lock system", I don't like "extra parts" in my guns :p .

I've had no problems with mine, loading or unloading. A friend of mine did let the hammer go about halfway that lit off a round (no transfer bar) so that may have come in handy at the time.

I don't know, with the "key lock system" it takes away from the original Cowboyness IMHO.

Wayne
 
I don't know, with the "key lock system" it takes away from the original Cowboyness IMHO.
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When I first heard that Ruger was going to "a lock" I thought "That's it. No new Ruger single-actions for me." I was picturing a big hole in the side of the gun like S&W or something mounted on the hammer, etc. When I saw pictures I was very relieved. I _wish_ all the firearms makers would follow Ruger's lead. (If they HAVE to have the darn things in the first place.) The lock doesn't affect the lockwork. No new little parts in there with the hammer, sear, transfer bar, etc. That makes me feel better about the integrity of my fire control. They put a lock down at the bottom of the grip. It affects how much the mainspring can compress. If you lock the gun, the gun can't be cocked at all. The mechanical aspect is much improved IMO over a new Smith. Even better, you wouldn't even know it was there if you didn't go looking for it. Ruger put it under the grips with no holes or anything to let you know it has a lock. They make a dimple on the inside of the grips. IF you want to use the lock with the grips on, you drill in that spot and then the key can go through the hole. Otherwise you leave your grips unmarked and unmolested.

I was happy enough about the whole thing to buy a 50th Anniversary Blackhawk and it uses the same system. If S&W would do something like that I just MIGHT buy a new one one of these days!!

Gregg
 
News Shooter

Haven't you gone to Kittery Trading Post?
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I don't drive the Maine Turnpike anymore unless I have to, and I'm a bit north of Kittery. Unless I'm missing something, they don't sell new online, and I've been shopping the Internet looking for the New Vaquero in .357, Stainless. That way I can shoot clean, inexpensive .38spl ammo through it, instead of the smokey cowboy .45 Colt loads

Majic As far as learning my gun...Ruger admits the cylinders do not line up right in the Old Vaquero, which is one of the reasons for the New Vaquero. So why should I take up my valuable time learning how to use a defective gun. The more I see what is posted here on the Vaquero, the more I tend think about a new Taurus Gaucho.
 
Bullrock,
The chambers on the Vaquero lines up the same way as the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk. They have been doing that since 1973 when the new models with the transfer bar came out. There is nothing unique about your revolver and myself along with thousands of other owners have dealt with the minor annoyance of sometimes by-passing a chamber.
The revolver is not defective. The reason for the new Vaquero is so many shooters in the cowboy action games (the reason Ruger built the Vaquero in the first place) have now preferred the handling qualities and balance of the Colt SAA and it's clones over the larger Vaquero. To stay a leader in that field Ruger scaled down the size of the Vaquero to meet the wishes and needs of the shooters. The original Vaquero (like yours) was just a Super Blackhawk milled for fixed sights. This new Vaquero is the first design change in the basic revolver in 32 years. Ruger also in the redesign made it easier loading and unloading because owners have been complaining for 32 years.
The Taurus Gaucho is another new revolver on the market. It may be advisable to wait and see how they actually hold up under usage. When a maker first produces a totally new design for the company it may have a few problems that have to be tweaked out and Taurus have never made a single action revolver before.
 
It's not defective, Bullrock, which is why you should be taking the time to learn your gun. The cylinders line up differently between the old and new Vaquero, but that doesn't mean that the former is defective.
 
What Majic and Harbinger said.


It's a matter of familiarity and practice. Whether it is a Colt SAA, Ruger New Model, New Vaquero, or auto, or DA revolver, or.........









Oh, I forgot, some folks don't need to practice.

"No offense Malamute, but I was winning fast draw competitions over 40 years ago. I don't need the practice...."
 
Oh, I forgot, some folks don't need to practice.
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I don't! I shoot for fun. Now if we're talking my carry gun which is a CZ-P01 for the better part of a year, I practice...

So why don't we all move on. I don't like the Old Vaquero, I'm not Keeping the Old Vaquero, I am accepting offers on it... ;) :D :D
 
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