Next Gun: Ruger New Vaquero (finish question)

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AraneaeFatalis

New member
So my uncle has been hounding me because I mentioned selling my Glock 22 and getting a SA Revolver and just recently he told me he would help me get one of my choice if I sold him the glock.

I've done a good bit of research and decided on the New Vaquero in .357 MAG with 5.5" barrel (over the Cimarron Model P for numerous reasons). But I just cannot figure out which of the finishes I'd prefer.. I've never been one for 'shiny' guns, but from what I've read the Stainless Steel is a much better finish than the blued. Plus, I just don't like the solid black look of the blued.

Is one better than the other? If the Stainless Steel was 'hands down' the better finish then I could get over its 'shininess', but I've read the newer Blued finish doesn't have the issues the first New Vaquero's had. I'd like some input (and perhaps pictures!) of those of you who have them.

EDIT: Also, I was curious as to if the .357 MAG version can handle 'hot loads', these wouldn't be for target and would only be loaded for when I go hunting/camping and would like more oomph out of my sidearm for the local wildlife that may think I'm tasty..
 
Yes the .357Mag Vaquero will handle ANY SAMMI .357 load you can stuff in it. From light to hot.... It is a .357Mag after all :) .

SS vs. Blued is always a 'hot' topic. I prefer blued myself. To me it is a personal choice. The only thing SS has over Blued is it is a bit more resistant to moisture. So if you live by the ocean or in the jungle it may be a better choice. The bright one's you can probably use as a mirror to wave down a search plane or something if your lost.... Anyway.... personal choice!

Oh, I looked at a blued .45 Colt New Vaquero recently, and the bluing looked ok to me.
 
To me it is a personal choice. The only thing SS has over Blued is it is a bit more resistant to moisture. So if you live by the ocean or in the jungle it may be a better choice.
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I agree. Another advantage s/s has over a blued finish is that it's easier to "touch-up" scratches and blemishes.
 
Well, I live in southern Louisiana, so it's humid most of the time here. Blued just looked kinda boring.. If it was Case hardened it would have been my choice. Gonna hopefully go check one out today, being able to touch up the SS is a nice thing I didn't think of. Seems as though SS is the way to go for me!
 
If you don't know yet blued is a finish applied to the gun, stainless steel is the bare metal which does not require a finish to make rust resistant. I love the look of blued guns but I absolutely hate owning them. I am a stickler for keeping the finish perfect on my guns and even if you baby your blued gun you are still going to get wear marks or light scratches in the finish. Since you do not like shiny stainless you can use an assortment of scotch-brite pads to achieve a brushed finish.
 
I guess I'll jump in here instead of making my own topic since I'm in the same boat.

I also plan to buy a Vaquero in .357, but I want a holster/rig to go with it. I think it might be fun to learn to quickdraw, so I'd like to know if I can do it with the 5 1/2" barrel, and what holster would be best. I'm leaning toward a "Spaghetti Western" holster and the #1 "Moneybelt" from El Paso Saddlery right now.

Secondly, if anyone has tips on getting proper measurements for a belt, I'd love to hear 'em.

I'm not looking to get into action shooting, this is all just for fun.
 
I would go with the stainless version for looks and durability. From what I understand the case color on the Vaquero's doesn't hold up very well but I've never heard of problems with the blued guns. The New Vaquero's are not as beefy as the old ones so their maybe some limitations on what the gun will handle. I have shot all kinds of stout loads out of mine (buffalo bore, Double Taps) and have had no problems. I think in terms of factory ammo your fine, if your a hand loader then you might want to do some more research. Either way, go for the Vaquero, you wont regret it.

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I just remembered I started a thread not to long ago asking the same question. Here is a quote from Jim March, TFL's resident Ruger expert, on the New Vaquero's durability..

"Let's put it this way. There is NO 357Mag factory ammo that you can't use lots of in a Ruger GP100 or the similar-sized S&W 686.

Now compare a NewVaq357 cylinder to a GP100 or 686 cylinder side-by-side. You'll soon learn that the NewVaq357 cylinder is beefier in all directions, and not by a little bit either!

The action strength of a NewVaq is also very high, really not much different than the 44Magnum-class Ruger SAs (SuperBlackhawk, etc.) as it is all the same parts! Same bolt stop, ratchet size, pawl, hammer, firing pin, etc. Main difference is the transfer bar, and the NewVaq transfer bars got beefed up.

Upshot: there is NO 357Magnum factory loads you have to be wary of, period, end of discussion. It's still among the strongest 357Magnum wheelguns ever made, possibly topping the vintage S&W N-frames (which had slightly stronger cylinders but weaker action parts by far).

The NewVaq357 is not a weak gun at all."
 
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Even if you baby your blued gun you are still going to get wear marks or light scratches in the finish.
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Of course... that is what gives a gun 'character'. It is called 'using' the gun for more than a BBQ gun :) . When I was a youngster, my BH went camping, fishing, and hiking with me. Got a lot of holster time. Not fancy, just a blued BH with rosewood grips... So it has a nick here, and there, and finish is partly gone. But all part of using a gun for what it is made for in the first place. "All that matters is it is kept clean and it shoots straight" :cool: ... a useful tool in time of trouble and a comfort in the night under the wide open skys..... Now-a-days, my guns spend more time at the range than in the hills... but I still stuff 'em in a holster to take to the range. Baby them? No... Abuse them? No... Use them? Yes :) . After all it is just a chunk of metal that shoots a chunk of lead.

humid most of the time here. Blued just looked kinda boring..
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Being humid sounds like a reasonable reason to go stainless. Pssss... I like a gun to look 'boring' ... until it is unlimbered :) .... Flashy is for tin... naw I won't say it ;) .

[added] BTW, my case colored Vaquero still looks good. It's 'dimmed' a bit but just adds to it's character. Wish Ruger would have continued with the process or made the process better after the shooters that have the rust problem complained rather than cut off completely.... I agree that a case colored frame does look better (to me) than an all blued gun which in turn looks better than a SS gun.
 
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I Have to agree with Shadi. The original Vaquero (full blackhawk frame IIRC?) was slightly heftier than the "new model" Vaquero. This was only an issue in .45 caliber with the published .45 Long Colt loads, aka Ruger blackhawk T/C contender only, that are rather "stought" and not recommended for the slightly trimmed newer Vaquero. The .357 mag chambering was not affected as far as I recall.
:cool:
 
Have owned both a Blue and a SS 'old' vaquero. Sold the SS version after two range trips because I could not get a good sight picture, as I encountered too much glare on the sights. Tried to blacken the sights but no real success. Had no issue with the blue one. Both 45 Colt. see ya, Bill
 
I agree with RClark.

While a stainless SA will always look new or could be buffed out, it will never over time gain the "character" that a worn blue gun can attain.
Scratches, worn spots from holster wear, dings are all part of the history.
When that gun finally looks like a well worn pair of jeans, it will be part of you.

Unless you are the type of fella that likes to iron his jeans after a long ride!:D

And besides, they didn't have stainless steel in the old days, did they?
BLUE STEEL and leather, not stainless and kydex!
 
Shadi beat me to it as far as strength goes. In 357 these are extremely tough guns.

About the only possible weak spot is that under heavy recoil the base pin (the cylinder's "axle") can bump loose. This is rare with the NewVaqs but it can happen. If you do a spring kit, most will come with a stronger base pin latch spring - that's one of the simplest cures. Most of the spring kits on Brownell's are about $20 bucks or you can buy the heavier base pin latch spring separately for a couple of bucks.

The other cure (even better perhaps) is an oversize Belt Mountain base pin with a lock-set screw. That will NOT come out, no way no how. $25 or so, and *might* improve accuracy a bit as well.

Again: with the NewVaqs we've seen less need for these tweaks. I did a spring kit on mine almost immediately, no regrets...and yeah, I installed the stronger latch spring.

As to "which finish": it IS possible to blacken the sights on stainless. Several layers of "cold blue" pen will do it, as will black fingernail polish. At the front you may have to roughen up the finish with a diamond-grit nail file or the like to make the black stick.

One major reason to do blue is in case you ever want to re-barrel it, such as a conversion to 41Magnum, 40S&W, 38-40 or something else Ruger doesn't support. In that case stainless threads can mess up when you try and unscrewed 'em (galling).

When I bought mine, knowing I was likely gonna mod the hell out of it, I went blue :). It remains a 357 and with the latest plans that's unlikely to change. I may build a 9mm cylinder for it out of a Bowen blank if I get the cash together but there's no barrel swap involved.
 
Since I'm in Aridzona, the finish choice to me is mostly a personal one versus function (bright sights and detail about cleaning up and marring touch-up etc aside). I used to be a "just blued" guy but after several of the glossy stainless Vaqueros/NVs/Single Sixes it struck me what a nice imitation job Ruger does of a nickel SAA. The older I get, the more I've come to terms with and even "appreciate" the glitz of the SS finish...and it can always be toned down if the brightness ultimately bothers. So now I'm 50-50 (in ownership) but still favor the blued. I agree with the CCH comments and wish the blued NVs still had it--with an improved formula ideally, but I haven't had the issues (rusting etc) some have had - on an early NV I've had since new (as well as an original Vaquero)

Regarding the 5.5" and fast draw--and speaking of Spaghetti rigs--that length was Clint's choice for his SAA in the first two Spaghettis (and most of his SAAs over the years when that gun was chosen)...if that helps :) Though I don't do fast draw, the 5.5" has been my fave for overall carrying, shooting and admiring for 30+ years, though I now have a few 4"+ guns and a 3.75" Sheriff I'm also very fond of for the reasons those are popular.
 
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i have the 45/8 bl with the case harden blueing, quick out of the holster and i really like the look of the case harden. plus it will shoot anything you feed it.:)
 
I forgot to post about my purchase. I ended up going to a Gun Show a few weekends back initially looking for a Blued 5.5" New Vaquero in .357 Mag. There was none available at any of the vendors, but I did find one in Stainless Steel and decided to get it. Love it so far, though due to recent trips and various other things, I haven't been able to shoot it yet.
 
I've got a pair of
"old model" Vaquero's in .44-40. The color "cashardening" is some type of blueing and not a true casehardening. It does wear off, maybe that was the issue you were thinking of. Coogs
 
AraneaeFatalis said:
"I forgot to post about my purchase. I ended up going to a Gun Show a few weekends back initially looking for a Blued 5.5" New Vaquero in .357 Mag. There was none available at any of the vendors, but I did find one in Stainless Steel and decided to get it. Love it so far, though due to recent trips and various other things, I haven't been able to shoot it yet."

Although I have not done it, IIRC the bright/glossy finish can be Scotch'd down to flatten it a bit if ultimately bothers, or more extreme can be bead blasted to a satin finish. Although I appreciate the ones I have for what they are and likely will not mess with, I'd like a "spare" or have a custom Bowen (etc) done to try that on - just because. You will love your New Vaquero. You may have said but I did not see: Did you ever get your Spaghetti holster - and if so did you go with the matching cartridge belt with fancy loop "gunfighter" stitching--which I love--or the moneybelt?
 
I haven't gotten a holster yet. I have a cheap $12 nylon one for it now. Haven't decided on which rig I want. I can get a basic looking Oklahoma Leather Drop Holster w/ belt for about $80 or go the Triple K way for $130. I'm trying to get away with as cheap as possible. Was really hoping to find something I could just attach to my current tactical belt that would allow it to hang mid-thigh, but I've found nothing.

I prefer not to have the fancy stitching, I just want something real plain.
 
Odd thing with the stainless guns: the extreme high gloss finish Ruger does is actually the easiest to maintain. If it gets scratched/dinged/etc, any such stuff will just buff out with enough work, without having to re-buff the whole gun. Use the same sort of stuff the car guys use on aluminum rims. Bead-blast and such finishes are much more annoying to repair if need be.
 
I have the New Vaquero in 357 - 5.5 inch barrel - blued finish. I just don't like shiny guns - just a personal thing. If you're worried about it being "all blue" - dress it up with a pair of after market grips - there are lot's of them available - faux ivory, various exotic woods, etc.

As far as the revolver goes - mine shot great right out of the box. Fit and finish is typical Ruger quality (I own six Ruger handguns and love them all). I have pretty much shot SA for 50 years. I wouldn't trade my NV for anything. It shoots well, is dependable and rugged. I've put probably close to 800 or 900 rounds through it and it just gets better. I will mention that I primarily shoot 38 spl. out of it as most of my shooting is plinking and targets. You should be able to shoot any 357s out of it that are within specs. If you're going to hand load something extra special hot - well - as with any handgun, the results will be on you - not the gun or the manufacturer. If you don't know for sure about the loads, contact Ruger.

Good luck in your new adventure - if you get a NV you are going to love it! :)
 
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