GunTalk-Online.com

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is a 230gr RN often used for LC loads?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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:
]

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

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