What's stronger? GP100 or New Vaquero?

S

Super Sneaky Steve

New member
I saw a thread not long ago where a guy blew up his GP100 and it got me thinking, what's stronger? My GP or my New Vaquero (both chambered in .357)? I took some measurements to find out. (winners in bold)

Cylinder Overall
GP 1.547 V 1.672

Cylinder front chamber to chamber
GP 0.143 V 0.165

Cylinder back chamber to chamber
GP 0.124 V 0.145

Cylinder front chamber to outside
GP 0.086 V 0.128

Barrel overall
GP 0.743 V 0.723

Backstrap
GP 0.256 V 0.243

You also have to think that the GP has a three point lock up while the Vaquero has a pin. Advantage Vaquero.

So if I had to guess I'd say my old school cowboy gun is stronger, just from all the extra meat.
 
Each of them is what it is, and both will hold modern ammo fine.

So I'm not sure there's anything to argue or discuss on this one.

Daryl
 
So I'm not sure there's anything to argue or discuss on this one.
Click to expand...

Argue no. Discuss yes. But if you think this is pointless just look for a thread about what's better a 9mm or a .45ACP. I'm sure you can really make a difference in the world there.

Everybody knows that the Blackhawk is the strongest...
Click to expand...

I can't disagree with that.
 
So I'm not sure there's anything to argue or discuss on this one.
Click to expand...


How about the difference between a forged frame and a cast frame? Not that I don't like Rugers, I have four. An old Standard 22, a MK11, a Super Single Six and a something Six 357 with a cast frame. I'll probably keep the hot 357s out of the ___ Six (Service Six maybe) not because I think it'll blow up but to not beat it up. These guns were the Volkswagen of 357s when they came out. Are them Vaqueros cast?
 
The thickness is only one part of the equation. What steel is used for the cylinder?

Cast steel or forged steel? A part made to the same dimensions will be stronger made of machined forged steel than cast steel.
 
I would tend to agree on your Vaquero being stronger. My New Model Blackhawk is a lot stronger than my GP100.
Regards,
Howard
 
Ruger doesn't tend to change their metallurgy very often. Odds are the carbon and stainless steel grades and heat-treats between the GP100 and the NewVaq357 are the same. All else being equal carbon steel will be a hair stronger in either. So a blued NewVaq will be the strongest variant possible.

Cylinder beef matters for strength. So in terms of blowup resistance, the NewVaq357 is a very, very strong gun. And the action parts (cylinder stop bolt, pawl, hammer, etc.) are all taken right off the large-frame SAs so they're damn near bulletproof. The NewVaq even has a beefed-up transfer bar over the previous large-frame SAs.

The NewVaq's only possible weak spot is the possibility that the base pin can jump out under big recoil. There's two possible fixes: a Belt Mountain or other replacement pin with a set-screw, or a heavier cross-latch spring for the base pin retainer. The latter comes free with most spring kits or it's less than $5 on it's own.

Does this really matter? Probably not. A really high-volume shooter might care, or somebody who is a beginner handloader and wants something extra-tough when starting out.

But as a practical matter, the GP100 is a fine, strong gun in it's own right.
 
I do have to wonder, why it would matter.....

You can blow up any gun, if you are an idiot.

If you are planning on running .357 balls to the wall, the New Vaquero isn't the best gun to do it in. Not that it isn't strong enough to take any sane load, (and probably some insane ones), but overall, I would choose a Blackhawk, if you are into single actions.

Mostly, because they have adjustable sights. I have several Blackhawks and Vaqueros (mostly in .45 Colt, but I do have a Blackhawk in .357, and a Super in .44Mag). I also have a New Vaquero in .45 Colt.

In .45 Colt, I shoot one of two loads, one load at standard power, which shoots to the sights of the fixed sight guns, and one a ..bit warmer, for the 7.5" Blackhawk. I could shoot the warm load in the Vaqueros, but I prefer a gun that shoots to its sights.

And I have been shooting .357 a long time, including HOT handloads that match the original ballistics of the .357 Magnum, (or maybe a bit better), not the "watered-down" industry standard loads of today. These loads are fired out of a S&W M28 or the Blackhawk, only. They are simply too much for smaller, lighter guns. And since that power is only useful when you actually hit your target, adjustable sights are, in my opinion, a must.

Its also very nice to be able to change your sights with a screwdriver to shoot .38s with the greatest accuracy, or be able to be "on" with 125s, and then 158s with just a few clicks.

I'm quite capable of holding off to get fixed sight guns to hit where I want with what ever ammo I use in them, once I have fired enough to tell how much to hold off. Since the Vaquero/new Vaquero have fixed sights, for me, they are not the most useful for top end loads, even though they are strong enough in .357 Mag.
 
I`m another that misses the point if you want to shoot 357`s weekly for the rest of your life both will do it:confused:

But then again if you want to shoot out of your shoes with monster handloads then there are better guns for that...and if that doesn`t work then there is always rhe 44 mag. to "geterdun":D
 
I own both guns too. All I have to add is anyone blowing up a Ruger is shooting some ridiculously hot ammo.
 
Everybody here is correct, and you have to ask yourself what do you want to use the gun for? First, your measurments don't mean squat when it comes to how big a load the gun will shoot. It has more to do with the material than the thickness.

Virtually all guns will shoot standard loads no problem. It's when you start trying to shoot monster loads, and you may get away with it for awhile, but over time the frame will weaken and BOOM, your new name is stumpy. Hey, the .357 is a hell of a round by itself.

AFAIK, Rugers are stronger than most other makes, and will shoot +P's no problem, but some prefer other brands that are closer to actual colts in the way they operate.

That's my two cents.
 
I have no intention of blowing up either gun. I just want to know for my own knowledge, but if Ruger ever made another .357 Max revolver I'd be all over that.
 
I just want to know for my own knowledge, but if Ruger ever made another .357 Max revolver I'd be all over that.
Click to expand...

Well they kinda do - and it's fairly cheap, too.

The recipe goes like so:

* Buy the basic model 357Mag Blackhawk large-frame "convertible" with a second cylinder in 9mm.

* Ship the 9mm cylinder off to Gary Reeder along with (about) $300.

* It comes back as a "356GNR", which is a 41Mag shell necked down to .357. That costs $200, plus $100 for his loading dies and data.

Net energy is very, VERY similar to the 357Mag but on a standard-length frame. The resulting gun is still a normal 357Mag with that cylinder in, or a total beast with the modified cylinder.
 
Having owned a few of each I'd lean towards the GP-100, yet if you brought the OM Vaquero into the picture I'm not too sure my answer would be the same as they were bigger (vs. the new model) in all respects. Smithy.
 
Everybody knows that the Blackhawk is the strongest...
Click to expand...

Nah, That would be the Redhawk. ;)

Anyhoo, between the GP100 and New Vaquero in .357 I figure either will stand up to all the SAAMI max loads I'd want to shoot.

Whichever one has the longest cylinder will allow reloaders to get the most velocity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top