New Birdshead Vaquero 45 with 3.75 inch barrel

finesse_r · Jul 13, 2013

I just picked up my new SS Birdshead Vaquero 45 with 3.75 inch barrel and it is sweet. This has become my favorite handgun by far. It is just pure fun to shoot and handle.

Not only is it a real beauty with the rounded edges and polished SS finish, it is solid as a rock. It feels great and shoots even better than it looks. This gun looks like it will be still shooting great two or three centuries from now.

The only place I have seen these is on Gun Broker where there are a few of listed most of the time. Mine is in ACP, but I am thinking that the ones in Colt would be just as good and maybe even better.

Anyone else shooting one of these?

LoadEmUp · Jul 13, 2013

Don't have one, but would like one in 45 Colt. Wishing you many happy years of shooting yours

diamonback68 · Jul 13, 2013

Pictures, it didn't happen without pictures. I'd love one in 45 Colt though.

finesse_r · Jul 13, 2013

diamonback68 said:
Pictures, it didn't happen without pictures. I'd love one in 45 Colt though.

I think there is one listed on Gun Broker right now in Colt. I want to enjoy this one in .45ACP for a while before I try one in Colt. Besides I have a lot of .45 ACP ammo.

redlevel · Jul 13, 2013

Here is a thread about my adventures sighting in my BH VAQ in .45ACP. I love mine. For a while, it was the one I took when I had a few minutes to shoot. I need to dig it out and shoot it some more. As you say, it is solid as a rock. Mine could use a reduced power hammer spring. It wears my poor arthritic thumb out in about 100 rounds of shooting. I would be interested to know if yours shoots to point of aim without fooling with the front sight. I believe the sights are regulated for 250 grain .45 Colt, with the expectation that someone ordering an ACP model will file down the sights.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/231512-sighting-birdshead-acp-need-file.html

finesse_r · Jul 13, 2013

As to How Mine Shoots.......

My 45 ACP shoots about 2 inches low at 12 yards. For my purposes that is nothing to worry about right now. I will shoot it for a while before I even think about messing with the sights. I was shooting WWB 230 grain FMJ practice ammo.

Years ago I was a fan of 1911's and I have a pretty good supply of 45 ACP. I lost interest in 1911's, due to an incredible number of FTF and jams and other problems mostly with a new Colt. I have sold all but one of my 1911's but I have gotten interested in .45 ACP revolvers as I really like the .45 ACP round. It makes a big hole, is low pressure, and just gets the job done.

In traditional double action I have a three and a five inch 625. In single action only I have a Blackhawk convertible and now this Birdshead Vaquero. To me there is no comparison in the enjoyment I get between the fine .45 ACP revolvers I now have and the 1911's I used to shoot. I just really enjoy these revolvers and lately, I am leaning toward the Ruger single action only revolvers. If I were not such a poor shot I would take up SASS shooting.

I also have one of the Ruger Single Ten 22LR revolvers and the fiber optics sights on that are the best I have ever used. At dusk they literally glow giving a perfect three dot sight pattern. My 617 is slowly getting pushed to the back of the safe.

GF · Jul 13, 2013

I don't have one in 45 but do in 357 ...

... and it's a fine shooter.

You'll like yours I'm sure.

GF

J. R. WEEMS · Jul 13, 2013

Checked with a dealer the other day, seems they run about 6 bills-- will be looking for one in 45ACP, just because.

Lee Barner · Jul 13, 2013

do they make them in .44 special? that would be the cat's meow for me. lee

mickeyblueyes · Jul 13, 2013

They do make them in 44 mag which I am sure shoots the 44 special.

Erich · Jul 18, 2013

I love my .45 ACP version.

While I could be wrong, I'm pretty sure these smaller-framed New Vaqueros were never made in .44 Magnum.

do they make them in .44 special?

They do make the New Vaquero in a short-barreled .44 Special configuration, but I'm not sure they were ever made with the birdshead gripframe in that set-up.

Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger Vaquero 44 Special Sheriff’s Model

Xfuzz · Jul 18, 2013

Thanks Erich....now I know what my next handgun is going to be.

Erich · Jul 18, 2013

Oh man, and you're going to love it.

Blue New Vaquero birdshead .45 ACP - Ruger Forum

GKC · Jul 18, 2013

finesse_r said:
I just picked up my new SS Birdshead Vaquero 45 with 3.75 inch barrel and it is sweet. This has become my favorite handgun by far. It is just pure fun to shoot and handle.

Not only is it a real beauty with the rounded edges and polished SS finish, it is solid as a rock. It feels great and shoots even better than it looks. This gun looks like it will be still shooting great two or three centuries from now.

The only place I have seen these is on Gun Broker where there are a few of listed most of the time. Mine is in ACP, but I am thinking that the ones in Colt would be just as good and maybe even better.

Anyone else shooting one of these?

I've had two, one in .45 LC and one in .357 Mag. I've never seen one in .45 ACP, but sure would like to have one. Does it use moon clips? seems like that would be tough to do in a SA revolver. How is the ACP round retained in the cylinder?

Mickey D · Jul 18, 2013

Hard to beat a Ruger. Nice find, though I prefer .45Colt or .44 spl.

redlevel · Jul 18, 2013

GKC said:
How is the ACP round retained in the cylinder?

Same way it is retained in the barrel of a 1911 . . . . it headspaces on the case mouth.

GKC · Jul 18, 2013

redlevel said:
Same way it is retained in the barrel of a 1911 . . . . it headspaces on the case mouth.

Thanks!

If I'd stopped to think before asking, I'd probably have realized that.

Erich · Jul 19, 2013

Man, and the ACP is such a great round for a single-action revolver: they feed into the loading gate like jelly beans (I use a 1911 magazine to carry spare ammo - lies flat in my pocket for carry and will feed them right into the gate) and the ejector rod stroke always pops the cases right out the back. Plus, it hits respectably hard. I'm happy with this gun on hikes up Bear Canyon with hardcast handloads on board, or in town with Winchester +P 230-gr SXTs.

And this short barrel gun is easy to carry/conceal.

GKC · Jul 19, 2013

Erich said:
(I use a 1911 magazine to carry spare ammo - lies flat in my pocket for carry and will feed them right into the gate)

That's a great idea! Plus, if you have 1911s, you already have a supply.

palmetto99 · Jul 19, 2013

My brother has one in 45 Colt. I love that gun. It's a pretty sweet shooter with cowboy loads. Told my brother that it's the only thing that I want him to leave me in his will.

New Birdshead Vaquero 45 with 3.75 inch barrel

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