Quick question on "Old" and "New" Vaquero

B

bedbugbilly

New member
Probably a stupid question but I need to ask it anyway. I have a "New Vaquero" - 357 (I shoot 38s) - 5 1/2" barrel. I'm getting ready to make a "West Texas" style loop holster for it from one of Will Ghormley's patterns and in the listing of the pistols for which the pattern will work it just lists "Ruger Vaquero 5 1/2" barrel". Before I go to all the work of making a transfer pattern and cutting leather - I need to know if there is a size difference between the "old" Vaqueros and the "New Vaqueros". I know that in looking at grips, there seems to be a difference. Is there a difference in size - frame wise or overall size - between the "old" and the "new" models? I dont have access to an "old" Vaquero to sit it next to my "new" Vaquero to compare. I'm hoping that someone out there can set me straight on this? Many thanks! It's greatly appreciated! :)
 
The New Vaquero is smaller. I have had both new and old Vaqueros the the new ones are smaller - it is built around the .357 mid-size frame and the old Vaquero was built around a .44 mag size frame. Here is some specific information from Rifle Magazine and includes an article by Brian Pearce dated April 2005 originally published in Handloader magazine # 234 http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL_234_preview.pdf
The new Vaquero fits my hand perfectly.
 
38s

Hey Ranger
I guess cousin Hawg helped on that one.
Are you carrying a 10 Gauge with them 38s. ?

00 Hagen
 
Ahhhhh! I knew I could find out if I only asked! I was thinking the "New" was smaller than the "Old" but couldn't come up with it when I searched! Thank you both very much . . . . the link and Hawgs remarks were very helpful and answered what I need to know! Just another reminder of what great and knowledgeable folks there are on this forum! Thanks again and have a great holiday weekend! :)
 
BODAME - I knew a girl once that carried a nice pair of 38s but mine can't compare to hers! :D No - I haven't got a 10 ga. to carry. It's funny - I've shot black powder for over 45 years - rifle, smoothbore, rifled muskets, full size cannons - flinters, percussion and BP revolvers. For some odd reason - maybe becaquse I'm in the SW in the winter in AZ - I seemed to have taken an interest in those "new fangled cartridge guns". :D I don't shoot competition but have a lot of fun killing paper plates and empty pop cans - and a woodchuck once in a while back on the farm in MI. I'm lovin' this SA New Vaquero and am thinking about adding a brother to it but with a shorter barrel. I'd like to get a rifle that is 357/38 spl. so I can use the same cartridges. I'm looking at the Henry and the Marlin - will wait until I can actually handle both of them before I make up my mind. I have a feeling that a "re-loading outfit" is in the near future for me - possibly next spring. I haven't had the opportunity to attend a CAS event yet but am looking forward to that when I can work it it. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Hope you had a good holiday Brother . . . . again, my thanks for the help - is greatly appreciated! :)
 
I have a Triple K holster that holds both my New Vaquero and Blackhawk. The NV is a perfect fit, the BH is a little more snug but very doable.
 
I used to have an "Old" Vaquero and a Colt when I started CASS. I made my own holsters and belts for me and my son who was using Uburti Colt clones and I found that the way that I got the best fit was to trace the outline of the gun on a pattern with a pencil and adjust the original pattern to fit the outline of the gun. The holsters for the original Vaqueros just needed to be a little larger mainly due to the larger cylinder which mad the gun wider.
 
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