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02-19-2020, 07:05 PM
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Been wanting something in 45 colt for a long time.
The guy handling it when I saw it wasn't into impulse buys I heard him say.
I was !!!!
Oh well I can shoot 45 colt now.
I'm back in the single action arena.
This even came double boxed for 424. OTD
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02-19-2020, 07:54 PM
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I had one of the early stainless 45LC Vaqueros years ago and sold it. I got the desire again last year and bought myself a new Blackhawk in 45LC. Love it! I really do like adjustable sights.
My Blackhawk didn’t totally satisfy and added a Henry Big Boy carbine in 45LC. I’m delighted with both! They go very well together.
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02-19-2020, 08:05 PM
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Congratulations, the Ruger Vaquero is an excellent first choice for a .45 Long Colt, mirroring the classic lines of the Colt Single Action Army, which was the original firearm chambered for .45LC.
A word of warning though: DO NOT SHOOT RUGER ONLY/+P LOADS THROUGH IT. They are referring to the Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk which have much beefier frames and cylinder walls to withstand the higher pressure loads. The Vaquero has more or less equal dimensions to the Colt SAA and was designed for Standard Pressure loads. There is some confusion over the fact that allegedly older Vaqueros could handle Overpressure Loads, but that's complete misinformation, no model of Vaquero was built to handle anything over Standard Pressure 14,000psi loads.
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02-19-2020, 08:13 PM
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The .45 Colt’s is a great stopper at close range.
YOU ARE NOT UNARMED WITH THAT PISTOL.
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02-19-2020, 08:56 PM
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I'd say you did yourself proud,congrats!
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02-19-2020, 11:46 PM
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I've been shooting "Ruger Only" loads through my older model Vaquero without problem. It is just as beefy as my Blackhawk. Yes, the newer Vaqueros are sized similar to the SAA, but mine is a massive hunk of steel, with the exact same cylinder dimensions as the Blackhawk.
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02-19-2020, 11:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirty Harry Callahan
Congratulations, the Ruger Vaquero is an excellent first choice for a .45 Long Colt, mirroring the classic lines of the Colt Single Action Army, which was the original firearm chambered for .45LC.
A word of warning though: DO NOT SHOOT RUGER ONLY/+P LOADS THROUGH IT. They are referring to the Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk which have much beefier frames and cylinder walls to withstand the higher pressure loads. The Vaquero has more or less equal dimensions to the Colt SAA and was designed for Standard Pressure loads. There is some confusion over the fact that allegedly older Vaqueros could handle Overpressure Loads, but that's complete misinformation, no model of Vaquero was built to handle anything over Standard Pressure 14,000psi loads.
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The old Vaqueros were offered in .44 Magnum as well. That is what I started in SASS with. The old Vaqueros, like what the poster bought, are on the same frame, same sized cylinder as the .44 mag ones. They can handle the heavy loads.
The New Vaquero is as you say, on a smaller frame / smaller cylinder and should not be hot rodded. I've owned both and there is clearly a difference in size.
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02-20-2020, 01:07 AM
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What they said. My original Vaquero handles the big Grizzly 335gr +P loads fine. Better than my hand does.
Last edited by hyena; 02-20-2020 at 09:47 AM.
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02-20-2020, 01:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dusty3030
The old Vaqueros were offered in .44 Magnum as well. That is what I started in SASS with. The old Vaqueros, like what the poster bought, are on the same frame, same sized cylinder as the .44 mag ones. They can handle the heavy loads.
The New Vaquero is as you say, on a smaller frame / smaller cylinder and should not be hot rodded. I've owned both and there is clearly a difference in size.
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.44 Magnum is dimensionally smaller than .45 Long Colt, (.429 vs .452) ergo the cyliner walls are thicker when chembered in .44 Magnum, thick enough to handle the additional pressure.
Also, look again at the picture of the Vaquero he posted, take note of the top strap in particular, and compare that to your Blackhawk. Are they the same? Because it looks to me like his Vaquero has the same top strap dimensions as a Colt SAA whereas a standard model flat top Blackhawk ought to have a substantially thicker top strap.
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02-20-2020, 05:08 AM
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I appreciate all the comments and don't plan on getting too extreme on loads for it.
I guess I'd like to know now though is this a beefier one ?
The gun dates to 1995
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02-20-2020, 05:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weatherby
I appreciate all the comments and don't plan on getting too extreme on loads for it.
I guess I'd like to know now though is this a beefier one ?
The gun dates to 1995
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Yes, That is the original model Vaquero! I currently own 2 pairs in 45 Colt, one pair in 4" Bright Stainless and one pair in 5.5" Blue. I used to own a pair in 4" Stainless in 44-40 also. The truth is these guns will handle the massive loads, but why would you want to! The 255 grain bullet at 810fps has killed everything on this continent at least a dozen times over. For a slightly more potent SD round, Winchester makes the 225 grain STHP at 1025fps.
For a nice "mild" Cowboy load I use 6.7 grains of WW231 with any lead bullet (It works very well) but usually 220 or 230 RNFP. This light duty, target, sissy load is roughly equal to 45ACP. (I can no longer get Starr of Indianapolis 200 grain SWC/HP, that bullet on soft breathing targets (in my case ground hogs, raccoons, and opossums) would reach 5/8" Before exiting. On steel plates (slightly angled) they would flatten to 1.5 to 1.75". I have fired this load about 7,000 times each in 5.5" pair and about 3500 in the stainless pair, and 3000 times for the 44-40 of a similar load. Never needed a single repair! My Italian Colt clones, need rebuilt about every 5000 rounds of this light ammo!
Load up your favorite ammo and try wearing out. You will die trying, and enjoy every minute of that task!
Ivan
Last edited by Ivan the Butcher; 02-20-2020 at 05:49 AM.
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02-20-2020, 06:12 AM
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Thanks Ivan
I may be able to find something to try....lol
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02-20-2020, 07:23 AM
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My .45 is a Cimarron Gen. Custer. You can't go wrong with that caliber.
Curl
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02-20-2020, 07:57 AM
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I pack'd this'n for a spell..........It's now in the custody of a close personal friend.
Colt SAA 3rd gen. 45 Long Colt & 45 ACP.
Now, ya got me to wanting a 45 LC Vaquero !!!
.
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02-20-2020, 08:36 AM
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By the guns I've seen from you it will be bigger stronger faster.
Glad to see you post
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02-20-2020, 08:43 AM
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Great gun. Great cartridge. Congrats on your purchase.
I had a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible in 45 Colt/45acp - regrettably sold or traded it. All I have left in .45 Colt is a 625-6 MG and 25-9.
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02-20-2020, 09:41 AM
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Four twenty four out the door not only rhymes but is a smoking deal!!
Enjoy!
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02-20-2020, 10:34 AM
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Absent Comrade
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"I always wanted something shooting in .45 Colt"
So did I. And took care of that some time ago.
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02-20-2020, 12:11 PM
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That's a great find Paul. I've been getting the itch for a SBH in 44 mag (who woulda guessed ) lately but just haven't jumped yet. I shot my first SBH Hunter last fall and it took some serious rethinking on how to grip it. I missed on the first 5 shots at 50 yards but regrouped, got a better grip and hit 4 out of 5. And so started that itch. Have fun with your new one when it thaws out!!
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02-20-2020, 12:28 PM
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Will do buddy.
Another new gets picked up today.
If you can call 80 years old new ?
Got "stuff" laying around for it too.
Really looking forward to working with it.
Have a bunch of kids that may like some reactive targets.
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02-20-2020, 01:04 PM
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Paul,
Great single action Ruger in my favorite caliber . . . congratulations!
Russ
Quote:
Originally Posted by CH4
. . . I had a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible in 45 Colt/45acp - regrettably sold or traded it . . .
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One of my favorites . . .
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02-20-2020, 01:19 PM
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The 2 digit prefix on your serial number indicates it is the older heavy frame. I found this gun in a pawn shop a while back. I believe it is a special run for Lipseys and has both a .45 Colt cylinder and a .45 ACP cylinder. It has the old frame, too.
Last edited by Shark Bait; 02-20-2020 at 08:45 PM.
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02-20-2020, 02:02 PM
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Glad I didn't see one like that also.
I can only explain/get away with so much.
There was an early 41 2 high standards and some others I just had to say no to.
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02-20-2020, 03:09 PM
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Since everyone is showing off their .45s, here's mine...
The Taurus Judge Magnum with Altamont Super Rosewood Grips. Chambered in .45 Long Colt and .410 Bore 3" Shells.
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02-20-2020, 04:03 PM
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Nice Ruger great caliber.
Mine got scratched up over the years ...
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02-21-2020, 04:59 PM
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I was hoping to get it out this weekend so pulled out what I had for ammo.
Anyone know when domed primers were phased out.
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02-21-2020, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weatherby
Anyone know when domed primers were phased out.
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I think they were done by the late 50's.
Ivan
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02-26-2020, 11:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xfuzz
Nice Ruger great caliber.
Mine got scratched up over the years ...
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I had double cap guns that looked just like that. I was the badest cowboy on the street!
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02-27-2020, 10:03 AM
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I bought an old model vaquero yrs ago . It came in the original box . I bought it from a buddy . After shooting it , when I saw him I told him I had a complaint ? He asked what was wrong with it ? I told him , " what's a fella to do when he has a gun that shoots more accurately than he does " ? Mine has the 4 5/8" barrel and is very very accurate shooting with any load I feed it , and lead free barrel . Using my pin gauges I determined that the cylinder throats were the correct size and there were no tight spots in the barrel . Ruger had done a fine job putting this one together . Regards, Paul
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02-27-2020, 10:14 AM
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Love the SAA's, my two so far are an "Old" Vaquero in bright and the one I'm picking up on Saturday, Barretta Stampede (which is made by the Barretta owned Uberti) in 7.5" in smoked nickel. All 45LC, but my next will be in 44/40. Great find and price by the way!
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02-27-2020, 10:34 AM
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I have a Ruger Blackhawk 7-1/2" in 45 Colt with the interchangeable cylinder for 45 ACP I have had since '74, but I also have this oddball. My only Taurus, a 450T in full titanium, 45 Colt 5 shot double action. It is a hoot.
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02-27-2020, 11:05 AM
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I've been a fan of .45 Colts for a long time now. Here is one of mine from 1920...
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02-27-2020, 11:20 AM
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The older .45 Colt new model (and old model) Rugers were constructed on the Super Blackhawk-size frame and were built like tanks. Here are two of my Vaqueros, both modified to allow half-cock loading and unloading identical to the old models.
I have shot really souped-up handloads in both of these that rival .44 Magnum pressures. These guns do just fine, and with their bulk and weight, they soak up the heavy recoil quite well.
This old model .45 Colt / .45 ACP convertible takes those loads as well - no problem. Just don't try to shoot magnum loads in the newer Ruger .45 Colt Vaqueros and Blackhawks.
John
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02-27-2020, 12:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEO918
I've been a fan of .45 Colts for a long time now. Here is one of mine from 1920...
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Please understand I was limited to just the one like.
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02-27-2020, 01:58 PM
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Congratulations. Glad you like it!
My most recent is a couple of years old and I got a screaming deal because, although unfired, it had been handled by neck-bearded mouth breathers who scored a ring on the cylinder.
No matter, at 36 oz. it's quite svelte, will run a heavy cast SWC just south of 1,000 fps and group them incredibly well.
308S
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02-27-2020, 02:50 PM
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45 Long Colt is my all time favorite.
I have a Blackhawk, a Redhawk, a Vaquero and of course an 8 3/8" 25-5.
The Smith is the most accurate, even with its wide throats. Switching to 255 grain 0.454's made it a tack driver.
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02-27-2020, 05:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PALADIN85020
This old model .45 Colt / .45 ACP convertible takes those loads as well - no problem. Just don't try to shoot magnum loads in the newer Ruger .45 Colt Vaqueros and Blackhawks.
John
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Wish I never looked at this one....very nice.
The search begins.
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02-27-2020, 05:47 PM
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The Flat Top Blackhawk and New Vaqueros are OK with loads up to about 23K psi.
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02-27-2020, 05:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sistema1927
I've been shooting "Ruger Only" loads through my older model Vaquero without problem. It is just as beefy as my Blackhawk. Yes, the newer Vaqueros are sized similar to the SAA, but mine is a massive hunk of steel, with the exact same cylinder dimensions as the Blackhawk.
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Ditto...
I put plenty of hot loads through my Old Vaquero with no problems at all. Ruger changed to the smaller frame in 2005. Not misinformation.
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02-27-2020, 09:01 PM
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The recent .44 Magnum New Vaqueros are in the larger frame. They also use a 2 digit prefix instead of 3 digits.
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