Vaquero windage

F

Fatelvis

New member
I just bought my second Vaquero, and the windage is off on both revolvers. Would it be wise to send them back to Ruger for tweaking, or is there a better place/person to send it to, for the work? Thanks guys-
 
Big E, are you absolutely sure the windage is off on both revolvers? How far off is it and how did you do the testing (distance, bench rest type, etc.)? Inquiring (read: nosey) minds want to know. :)
 
Mal, I`m sure they are off on windage. I tested them off a bench, (sitting, with my wrists supported, and very carefully aligning the sights.) I used a couple different loads of mine, and both guns are shooting to the left, one 3", the other about 4" from center, at 25 yds. My latest Vaquero is a stainless, 4 5/8", 45 LC/45 ACP convertable, and I can actually see the front blade listing to the right (while aiming). Can I tighten the barrel, like a Colt SAA, to bring my poi to the right? In the Smithy section I got a yes, do you agree? Thanx-
 
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3" to 4" is quite a bit off at 25 yds. Now I see why you want them fixed. If you have the right tools, tightening the barrels should work (good thing they are off to the left). Ruger should be able to fix 'em right, if you decide to send them in.
 
Yeah, I hate holding off the target to hit center! I believe that`s called Kentucky Windage? I dont know if I want to risk trying it myself, without knowing for sure if it`ll work! Thanks for your input.
 
Just crankin the barrel down tighter can be a disaster if you luck isn't runnin well. Overtorque on barrel, specially soft stainless, often stretches the barrel leaving a noticible ring in the bore even with the barrel/frame interface. Then we can get into the likelyhood of closing the cylinder/barrel gap when it is screwed in.

Best left to a GOOD smith.

Sam
 
I also have a 4 5/8" Vaquero that shot to the left. Rather than creating the problem that Sam mentioned I decided to widen the rear sight channel with a file. I took the file with me to the shooting bench and carefully removed material on the right side of the channel between test groups. It now shoots exactly where it should if I do my part. You can easily buff the affected area back to match the original finish. If I had a blue gun I'd do the same thing and touch it up with "cold blue". I can't stand to have a revolver that won't shoot to the POA. regards, birdman
 
Sam, you're right as rain, as usual. My thinking on the matter was that he wouldn't have to tighten the barrel more than 5° which shouldn't cause any stretching. And because it sounds like the barrel wasn't in alignment anyway from the description of the front blade, it may actually be a little loose, so to speak. Personally, I would still send them to Ruger.

As the clothier said to Msr. Loutrec as he was fitting the trousers, "Too tight, Toulouse?"
 
Mal, I agree with you. We are dealin with probabilities and possibilities here. Gonna take a pro to determine what is goin on. Not doable over the net.

Sam
 
Birdman, good idea! Although, I`m sending it back to Ruger. They said it`s no big deal for them to fix it. I just hating the 30-? days to get it back!! Thanks for your imput guys. And Mal, who is Msr. Loutrec?
 
Ruger told me a month to get it back when i sent mine in, and i got it back in 16 days including the shipping, hopefully they will do better on yours.

I've used Birdman's trick on a Jager colt clone, works well but didn't want to do it to the vaquero, having it factory repaired is a better fix
 
Oops! I see I spelled his name wrong, it's Toulouse Lautrec. Just word play on his first name. (If you're serious, he is a famous French painter - Moulin Rouge era.)
 
I agree that sending it back to Ruger is probably the best option. The only problem is that Ruger has the bad habit of changing some of the "shall we say adjustments" I have made to the revolver. My Vaquero's trigger breaks at 2 3/4# with no creep; replaced base pin and shortened for more complete ejection; reduced and replaced various springs. And I don't want them back "stock" again. regards, birdman
 
I had the same problem. The front sight was tilted to the left. Sent it back to Ruger, they fixed it pretty fast. They just had to adjust the barrel. Never had that problem with a Colt or Smith.
 
Just got my Vaquero back from Ruger. They fixed it, and had it back to me in 11 days, from the day I sent it next day air! JJ, it looks like they`re getting faster. No charge. That IS SERVICE, if I ever saw it!! My hat`s off to Ruger! (Just dont look at my bald spot) :D
 
Now remember, this is a brand new revolver, shot about 36 times. They stated in thier paperwork, barrel-repaired, internal components as needed-repaired, headspace-repaired. The front blade has not been bent, so I assume they turned the barrel, but what internal components could they have repaired, and why? By the way the B/C gap came back at .006". They test fired it, and sent a new safety lock with it too. I cant wait to see if it hits POA now!
 
mine also came back with some "internal parts repaired/replaced" also a new cylinder, i had opened the cylinder throats up to .4525, took a good eye for them to catch that.
 
JJ, what were the throats at before you opened them up? Did it improve accuracy? Did you open up the new cylinder`s throats?
 
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