Hey guys just picked up a ruger vaquero. 44 mag yesterday and have a few questions. First off this is not the new vaquero its the older models which i hear are better. Basically whats the major difference between them and the blackhawks? Will they handle the same "hotloads" and are they the same well built gun? The only real difference i can see is a mine has a fixed sights where the blackhawk has adjustable sights. For the records its the ruger vaquero. 44 magnum 5.5 inch barrel with the case hardened frame. Thanks again.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
ruger vaquero .44 magnum
- Thread starter fast18
- Start date
newfrontier45
Moderator
The original Vaquero was made on the large frame, same as the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk from 1993-2005. Strength is identical. The New Vaquero is built on a slightly smaller Colt SAA-sized frame and is of similar strength. As for which is "better", that depends solely upon the individual. To me, the New Vaquero is better because if I want to use heavy hunting loads, I want an adjustable sighted Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk. Not a fixed sight Vaquero.
What newfrontier45 said. That said, I have and enjoy two of your (OP) model..as well as a trio of New Vaqueros. No, bigger/heavier in the case of the old/original Vaquero doesn't equate to "better" just different in most areas--"better" obviously in its magnum capability--IF you "need" it--and "worse" in others, chiefly the aforementioned heft. In addition to the newer model's more compact SAA-like size/weight, the smaller NV/midframe flattops also have a "reverse indexing pawl" that stops each cylinder chamber (charge hole) precisely for loading/ejecting. Also, the newer, smaller model is built with a cylinder boring process that insures more precise alignment of the boring(s) and greater/more consistent shot accuracy.
More subjective are the two grip styles--your larger "XR3-Red" grip frame versus the newer gun's slimmer and differently contoured "XR3" gripframe, closer in overall profile (viewed from the side) to that of the Colt SAA. I do ok with both. Even though I'm small of hand--especially compared to the rest of me!--and generally find the newer model's gripframe more my liking, the factory grips are a little slim and uncontoured for my tastes...but the old Vaquero's XR3-Red a bit chunky (unless equipped with slimmer panels). So, my ideal is somewhere inbetween the two, like a Colt factory set up. In othr words, selection of grip panels on either frame cures most issues.
More subjective are the two grip styles--your larger "XR3-Red" grip frame versus the newer gun's slimmer and differently contoured "XR3" gripframe, closer in overall profile (viewed from the side) to that of the Colt SAA. I do ok with both. Even though I'm small of hand--especially compared to the rest of me!--and generally find the newer model's gripframe more my liking, the factory grips are a little slim and uncontoured for my tastes...but the old Vaquero's XR3-Red a bit chunky (unless equipped with slimmer panels). So, my ideal is somewhere inbetween the two, like a Colt factory set up. In othr words, selection of grip panels on either frame cures most issues.