Driftwood Johnson
New member
There is no such thing as an old model Vaquero.
Which is exactly why I always refer to the older, larger, stronger version of the Vaquero as "original model" Vaquero. If you had read my post you might have noticed that. Ruger produced the "original model" Vaquero from 1993 until 2005. In 2005 they stopped producing the "original model" Vaquero and replaced it with the New Vaquero. Rather than using a smart way to differentiate the New Vaquero from the "original model" Vaquero, as they did with their classic 22 Semi-Auto; Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV, they decided to call it the New Vaquero, which has caused endless confusion because as you say, all Rugers with transfer bars are New Models. At the time I wondered, what are they going to call the next iteration, New and Improved? Furthermore, to further confuse things, there are a few Distributor Exclusive New Vaqueros that simply have Vaquero, not New Vaquero, stamped on the frame, despite the fact that they are clearly the smaller framed version.
the features that enhance hunting and sporting use such as adjustable sights and magnum power cartridges are not allowed in cowboy games.
I don't know how many times I have to say this, but Adjustable Sights ARE legal in SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) sponsored Cowboy Action Shooting events. Here is a quote from the Shooter's Handbook: "Original single action revolvers manufactured prior to 1899, their approved replicas, and the SASS approved single action adjustable sight revolvers are the only revolvers approved for use in SASS main match competition."
Adjustable sights put the shooter in a different category, than the fixed sight categories, but they are allowed. Being in a different category only means you are not scored with the guys shooting fixed sights. You shoot on the same posse, at the same time, the only time it matters is when the scores are tallied. Guys with Adjustable Sights are scored separately from the different fixed sight categories.
Cowboy Action shooting is a game. Like many other games that were once fun, it has been taken over by "gamers" who write rules to "enhance" the game the way they see it, not necessarily the way we would.
Rather than posting generalizations about a sport that you obviously don't care for, you might consider attending a match some time so you could get your facts straight. As I stated earlier, I have been shooting CAS for 20 years. Most of the competitors are not "gamers" they are just guys who grew up watching Westerns on TV and in the movies, and like to shoot guns typical of the Old West. CAS is not historical recreation and does not claim to be. To quote the Shooter's Handbook: "Cowboy Action Shooting is a combination of historical reenactment and Saturday morning at the matinee." Yes, Lead bullets are required and velocity is held down because we shoot at steel plates. High velocity will damage the plates, denting them, which can cause splatter to bounce back.
If you don't like CAS, that is your prerogative, but please get your facts straight.