Out with the old, in with the New Vaquero...

B

Bob Wright

New member
I've been trying to move a Smith & Wesson Model 25 in .45 Colt, 6" barrel, for over a year now. Listed it three times on GunBroker with nary a bid. So......

Happened to have it in the Jeep today as I visited a seldom frequented (by me) gunshop. There was this Ruger New Vaquero, .45 Colt, with handsome stag grips. Well, we dickered a littler, and I made my pitch, and he said "I can do that." So this came home with me today:



Its the New Vaquero, the previous owner had had the face of the cylinder chamfered and the base pin shortened. I like the shorter base pin and it can be removed with the ejector assembassembly in place.

I'm happy with my trade!

Bob Wright
 
Its the New Vaquero, the previous owner had had the face of the cylinder chamfered and the base pin shortened. I like the shorter base pin and it can be removed with the ejector assembassembly in place.
Click to expand...
FYI, in New Vaqueros and medium flattops, the base pin can be removed without removing the housing ... Except the Sheriff of course.

Nice! Enjoy! Don't see many 7 1/2" New Vaqueros!
 
Super Sneaky Steve said:

Love the Ruger but I wouldn't have traded the Smith for it.
Click to expand...

Over the years I've used many revovlers, Colt and Ruger DA revovlers to further my handgun education/experience. The old Smith had served it purpose and now I'm concentrating on the Single Action revolver almost exclusively. I still have my 5" Full Lug Model 29, an a couple of Model 586s and Model 19s and my Model 442. Not that I might not part with one for a good Colt New Frontier, but the Single Action does what I need done.

Bob Wright
 
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No love for the Smith & Wesson Model 25 in .45 Colt, 6" barrel???

Wow.

I've opined before that the semi-auto crowd have created many deals for revolver folk (I got a cheap Blackhawk a couple years ago in part because the gun store said 'nobody's buying revolvers anymore':rolleyes:).

But I always thought Model 25 was very much sought after gun. Shows what I know.

Even though I adhere to Cheapshooters rule of guns with your collection of revolvers I'd say you had enough to trade one you don't care for to get one you think you'll like better.

Looking forward to a range report.
 
I was not aware that the New Vaquero was available in the "color case hardened" finish. Are you sure yours is a New Vaquero?

New Vaquero's have a 3 digit prefix in the serial number, whereas the originals had a 2 digit prefix in the serial number.

I have a Vaquero, the original, larger frame version in 44 Magnum. I put the blued steel ejector rod housing on it along with the Lett ivory faux grips. I love it!

I bought it new in 1994.

IMG_0189-L.jpg
 
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Well, yes, I'm as sure as I can be. It has the "longhorn steer" hammer spur, small frame, and lock, plus the narrow grip frame, and says "New Vaquero" on the frame.

And the early New Vaqueros were color case finished.

Bob Wright
 
As much as I love my big Vaquero in 45 Colt I'd have a real tough time trading in a 25 in 45 Colt to get one.
My 25-2 is the handgun I shoot best. It'll ring the 10" 50 yard gong tirelessly. I'd love to have on in the big 45.

I didn't think those guns were even in the same price range. I hope he slid some money your way.
 
As to selling/trading my Model 25, note it was a 6" barrel. My 4" went muy rapido and I've had offers for some of my 2 1/2" guns. But seems you can't give away a 6".

I listed it on GunBroker three times, starting at $650 and had no bids. Carried it around gun shows for about a year and a half, drew plenty of interested looks, but no offers.

The Ruger Vaquero was priced at $799, of which I figured about $225 was for the stag grips. My Model 25 was valued at $699 in trade in, so I got what I wanted, and got rid of one I no longer wanted.

Bob Wright
 
@bobwright: Thanks for sharing the picture. That's a beautiful new vaquero.

In later years, I've become more of a disciple of "cheapshooter's rule", but you best know your wants and needs, and if the trade met them, then it was a righteous acquisition. You can never have too many single actions, and, like you, I find single actions meet most of my field/target/hunting needs better than a double action revolver. For home defense, it is usually a 9mm of .45 acp, although, several times a single action .44 WCF has sat on the nightstand, and I didn't feel in the least bit helpless and slept soundly.

I've heard that real mother of pearl can break or crack under heavy recoil and consequently mother of pearl grips should be swapped out while shooting. Is the same thing true of elk or sambar stag? Can stag crack with heavy loads, and should they be changed for shooting? I don't have a clue about the answer. Just asking and want to learn.
 
As far as the durability of stag, it is fine with most ammunition. I don't intend to use them for heavy loads, will keep wood on my magnums and heavy .45 Colt loads.

I don't plan on babying them.

Bob Wright
 
Wow Bob, who ya gonna call to get permission for the next trade?;)

I think ya did real good! Something ya wanted for something ya didn't!! Works for me!!!

Mike
 
I wish I would have known you had a model 25 S&W in 45 Colt caliber that you wanted to trade.
If the condition of your S&W was acceptable I would have purchased and traded you most any model of a Ruger SA revolver, factory new.

Been looking for a S&W 25 in 45 Colt for quite some time, however I will not pay the inflated prices that most seem to want when I can purchase a new S&W 25 for less money.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
I figure anytime you get something you want, and the other feller gets something he wants, it was a good trade.

Nice Ruger Bob. Enjoy it.
 
Maurice started life as a New Vaquero in blue and fake-color-case, 357Mag, 4.68" barrel, bought mid-2005 brand new, serial number about halfway through the 5000 range. It's now...well, true 9mmPara conversion (barrel and cylinder), 4" or so barrel including the gas-trap, gas-powered automatic shell ejector (firing round's gas ejects the previously fired shell), magazine feeding, up to 14rd capacity with no reloads :), seriously funky sights.

"Maurice" because Some People Call It "The Space Cowboy"...

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/03/maurice-frankenruger-magazine-fed-revolver/
 
Howdy

Me too. I would have grabbed that Model 25 in a New York minute at $650. They are quite rare around here, I know one dealer who is asking $1500 for one. Oh well, as long as you're happy.
 
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