Ruger Vaquero

L

Low Key

New member
I'm considering buying a Vaquero (brand new, .45 colt, 4 5/8 barrel) and I'd like some opinions about the gun. Which version is best, the new style or older?
How accurate is it? Does it shoot to POA out of the box?
Any design problems with the Vaquero?
What do you experienced Vaquero owners think about the gun in general?

Thanks for any info :)

____________________

"Grab your gun and bring in the cat!!"
 
I've got new and old versions

They are both wonderful, but the new Vaquero is built very closely to the original Colt SAA design. the older version is much beefier and a lot of cowboy shooters didn't like the fit. Can't go wrong with either. Great guns, great customer service (which you probably won't need). And don't listen to all the rumors. That's all they are. :)
 
I agree with everything news shooter said. Except I have the old Vaquero and it drives me crazy the way the cylinder lines up for loading and unloading. :mad: Maybe you have more patience than me. I'm waiting for the New SS Vaquero to become available, then it's good bye Old Vaquero.

But it is still a great gun. :)
 
I'm leaning toward the new Vaquero, especially since News Shooter say's its close to the SAA. I've heard about the cylinder not lining up properly for reloading on the Vaqueros, but I didn't know if people were talking about the old or new versions. I've always liked Ruger pistols...wish I hadn't sold that .22 I had a few years back, but thats another story. :( Thanks much for the info! When I buy, I'll post a picture. :D BTW, anybody got any good pics or your pistol?
 
BTW, anybody got any good pics or your pistol?
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I never thought you'd ask.... :D :D :D
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I have one of the older Vaquero stanless

Great gun, built like a tank never failed and couldnt hit the right side of a barn from the inside.
I have never seen a gun that hit off point of aim as this gun. It shot 6 inches right of target at 15 FEET!
Had a gun smith friend bend the front sight for me. I just found it annoying.
Would I recomend another, yes,
 
I've got a blued .45 Colt Vaq. with a 4 5/8" bbl. My hands are sort of on the large side and I prefer the older (original) Vaq. for that reason. Like Bullrock says, though, the way the old model indexes for loading/unloading can be very irritating, especially if you're in a hurry. However, I understand there is an after-market "fix" addressing this quirk.

My revolver shoots pretty much to the point of aim with most ammunition, though it tends to group lower with lighter bullets. The Vaq. wouldn't be the last gun from my collection that I'd keep (the crude fixed sights limit its versatility) but I don't see getting rid of it any time soon.
 
Bullrock, that is an awesome looking pistol! :D :D
As far as accuracy goes, I want to make sure that the Vaq. doesn't inherently shoot 12 inches high or something like that, as the old blackpowder colts did. I can shoot by ky windage, :barf: but I prefer not to if I can avoid it.
I have a .22 revolver with a 2 in bbl that shoots high above POA at all ranges (5 yards to 20) and I don't really shoot it that much just for that reason. Mainly keep it loaded with shot shells for snakes when I mow grass. I think that you can get some lemons with any make of handgun though, but from my experience with Ruger in the past I'm guessing that they don't turn out very many.
 
I'm a newb here and right off noticed this thread.

I've got a Ruger New Vaquero, 4 5/8", .45 Colt. I LOVE this gun! It fits my hands better than any glove I've ever owned and shoots well with everything I've thrown in it so far - including dual round ball & black powder loads! My first 6 shots, standing and off hand, clustered into a bunch smaller than my palm at 25 yds. The loading has been greatly improved with the "reverse indexing pawl". The chambers are throated better than before, being slightly larger and slicker than before - as well as all being the same size. The barrel is smoother too. Heck, the entire gun is smoother than before!

Two things: First, it does have a key lock. But it is so well designed that you can simply ignore it if you wish. I drilled my grip panel to make it more simple to use according to Ruger's instructions. (I've got three wee ones in the house and this is my carry weapon. Can't be too careful!) Second, you have to remember this isn't as strong an action as the older Vaquero. I imagine there will be several cases of guys blowing up their guns or themselves using loads for the stronger weapons. My loads are all within SAAMI pressure specs in order to avoid such issues. I'm using 255gr. Beartooth Bullets at the moment with great success and am working on load development with the Beartooth 280gr pill with that HUGE meplat. Should be awesome in the Ruger and a crushing deer & hog load from the Winchester "Trapper". :D

If you are happy with loads not much over the Colt SAA levels, then you're gonna love it. If you want a tank-buster, get the old model while you can. I'm hoping to see the New Vaquero offered in the bird's head grip before I buy my second. With a stainless bird's head rip in my Tombstone Speed rig and my blued version crossdraw on my belt, methinks I'll be well armed for SASS shoots anywhere!
 
They're good solid guns. Only advice I have is to get the stainless. I had a very bad experience with Ruger's false color case finish. It rusted in several places in spite of the fact that I wiped it down regularly. Didn't pit, but the darker colors in finish had surface rust on more than one occasion when I took it out of the safe. I had the whole gun redone in regular blue (Bowen does real color case on these guns, but it's $200). I'd also add that this gun sat upright in a rack inside the safe right next to two older S&W guns with high luster blue finish which have never seen any rust.

Mine is accurate and shot to the point of aim, the few times I shot it. But most fixed sighted guns seem to do that for me.
 
Does the New Vaquero line up the charge holes properly for loading and ejection once the cylinder has clicked into place?
 
Yes, if you rotate it through both clicks. It has two per chamber, if you rotate it just past the first one the cylinder won't index with the loading gate cutout.
Denis
 
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