Vaquero

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:44 pm

I wouldn't mind having a gun like this in 45colt.
I have never even held one, but it looks pretty cool,
and I like the old fashioned style. One question:
Does this have a rear sight that is not visible in the photo?

http://ruger.com/products/vaqueroBisley/models.html
or the Bird's head style.
Haka

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:10 pm

The rear sight is there. It's the little bump that barely shows.....

greener · Post by **greener** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:12 pm

I've shot a couple. Very nice shooters. One was loaded with 325gr bear load. The gun handled the big bang pretty well. I think you need one.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:36 pm

The gun handled the big bang pretty well. I think you need one.

I'm beginning to think so too. I think I'm heading out to the LGS this saturday. Wonder if I'll bring something home? We'll see.

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:24 am

The Vaquero has sights like a lot of snubnose revolvers-a groove milled in the topstrap. While you can't break them, they are not adjustable. Many folks swear by them, but these sights "disappear" with my old far-sighted eyes (I see fine-my arms are too short). If you want adjustable (and better) sights, look at the Blackhawk. I've been eyeing one for several months as I do not own a single action revolver. Can't figure out for the life of me why. I need one.

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:02 pm

I have several revolvers with the fixed sights. Learned to shoot handguns on an S&W M&P .38 special with those sights. Not bad until your eyes suffer from MBS. My S&W M65 with those sights has been very accurate.

I have a Uberti Cattleman, which is a truer copy of the 1873 Colt than the Vaquero. It also won't take as hot a load as the Vaq. I suppose if I hadn't fell in love with the Uberti, I'd have bought a Vaquero.

Comparable shooting to the Blackhawk without the ability to adjust POI by adjusting the sights. Cooler looking and a nice addition if you like SA revolvers.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:35 pm

Is a 230gr RN often used for LC loads?

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:05 pm

Most of my .45 Colt loads have been 250gr lfp. Started with them and they shot well. In the Blackhawk with the .45 ACP cylinder, I've shot mostly 200gr LSWC. I think any of the .45 loads would work very well.

bgreenea3 · Post by **bgreenea3** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:33 pm

with the fixed sights you have to either tailor your load to the point of aim or file on your front sight.... I think for me plaing with the load is the best idea. i'm also willlng to bet the Vaqero's sights are regulated to a 250gr bullet at about 800-900 fps, being the classic 45 colt loading.

my model 10 and my 442 fixed sight 38 spl's both shoot to Point of ain with 158gr bullet at 800-900 fps.... similar reasons i would suspect

Medicine Hat · Post by **Medicine Hat** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:32 pm

bgreenea3 wrote:with the fixed sights you have to either tailor your load to the point of aim or file on your front sight.... I think for me plaing with the load is the best idea. i'm also willlng to bet the Vaqero's sights are regulated to a 250gr bullet at about 800-900 fps, being the classic 45 colt loading.

my model 10 and my 442 fixed sight 38 spl's both shoot to Point of ain with 158gr bullet at 800-900 fps.... similar reasons i would suspect

This has been my experience also. I have 2 Vaqueros in .45 Colt. They both have several thousand rounds through them, and do best with a 250 gr. lead flat point. I handload to about 850 fps. They are more accurate than I can usually hold offhand. But even offhand, I can usually hold 3-4 in groups at 15 yds. The recoil is actually pretty mild. About the same as my S&W 38-44 N frame 38spcl with +P loads, and it is heavier than the vaqueros.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:41 pm

Well, I switched gears a little, I got the Vaq/Bisley in .357mag. I thought this
would compliment my S&W 357mag pretty well. The Smith is a DA and the Ruger is a SA.
I like loading 38/357, and thought it would be cheaper come retirement days.
I love the feel of this gun with the Bisley style grip, and I also think it is one of my
neatest looking hg's. Can't wait to shoot it, maybe not til next weekend. It will be
tough waiting that long. Maybe I'll post a picture or two in the mean time.
Haka

greener · Post by **greener** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:03 am

Good choice. Everything you are loading for your 686 can be fired in the Vaquero.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:48 am

Good choice. Everything you are loading for your 686 can be fired in the Vaquero.

That's pretty much what went through my mind when I made the choice.
I really like this revolver, it has a look that is unique, and has that Ruger "solidness" feel to it. The grip feels good in when handled. Here is a photo:
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bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:05 am

Haka I got one a few years back, a 50th Anny Blackhawk in .38/.357

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:13 am

Haka I got one a few years back, a 50th Anny Blackhawk in .38/.357

Sounds like a beauty OM, maybe a collector's piece. I bet she's very photogenic .
Haka