Anyone knowledgeable on the Ruger Vaquero?

[G-Mac]

I bought a "Special Edition Ruger Vaquero" at a gun show on Sunday. I had been looking for a .45 Colt/.45ACP Blackhawk Convertible and came across the Vaquero. It's a .45 Convertible with two cylinders just like I wanted. 4-5/8" barrel length which is fine with me. It is supposedly new in box. It looks it.

I ran the serial number, on the Ruger site, and it comes up as 1999 manufacture. My question is....were there different frame sizes on the Vaquero? I found a Vaquero that seems identical to mine with the same model number but it's a 2002 gun. It is identified as an "original large frame" Vaquero.

I have some .45ACP ammo that is marked +P. I am wondering if I should shoot these in my Vaquero. Also, not sure why this is a "Special Edition". It says this on top of the plastic case. Distributor gun from Davidson's or similar? Thanks.

 

[BigMuddy]

There are two different frame sizes in Vaquero’s.

The medium frame guns in 45 Colt will have a 3 digit prefix in the serial number. They will be roll marked “New Vaquero”. The large frame guns have a two digit prefix and are marked “Vaquero”.

The large frame guns are the same size and strength as the large frame Blackhawk and can handle the “Ruger Only” loads found in loading manuals. They can easily handle +P acp loads.

The medium frame guns are also safe with 45 acp +P which do not exceed 23,000 psi.

Ruger has done a great job making this all as confusing as possible. Why they didn’t use a different name for the medium frame guns when they were introduced is beyond me. Hope this helps.

Dan

 

[Gunhacker]

Ruger has done a great job making this all as confusing as possible. Why they didn’t use a different name for the medium frame guns when they were introduced is beyond me. Hope this helps.

Dan

That's a peeve of mine with Ruger too, they also did not do us any favors either in determining what has what grip frame size, when you want to get a nicer set of aftermarket grips...

 

[Ruger 13]

The smaller framed guns will be marked New Vaquero!

 

[03hemi]

The "New Vaquero" is dimensionally closer to an original Colt SAA too.

 

[BigMuddy]

The smaller framed guns will be marked New Vaquero!

Unless they’re 44 Special. Now tell me THAT isn’t confusing.

Dan

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

If you have full sized man hands the New Vaqueros will rap your knuckles bad [bought one for my DIL]. If you have smaller hands you might get away with shooting them. I have long fingers and a couple fat arthritic knuckles but shoot the original Vaquero ok.

 

[gwpercle]

I bought a "Special Edition Ruger Vaquero" at a gun show on Sunday. I had been looking for a .45 Colt/.45ACP Blackhawk Convertible and came across the Vaquero. It's a .45 Convertible with two cylinders just like I wanted. 4-5/8" barrel length which is fine with me. It is supposedly new in box. It looks it.

I ran the serial number, on the Ruger site, and it comes up as 1999 manufacture. My question is....were there different frame sizes on the Vaquero? I found a Vaquero that seems identical to mine with the same model number but it's a 2002 gun. It is identified as an "original large frame" Vaquero.

I have some .45ACP ammo that is marked +P. I am wondering if I should shoot these in my Vaquero. Also, not sure why this is a "Special Edition". It says this on top of the plastic case. Distributor gun from Davidson's or similar? Thanks.

You are opening up a Can-O-Worms ...get ready to go fishing .
To answer your question ... YES , you can fire +P 45 acp ammo in the Vaquero ... Old Vaquero or New Vaquero or
Large -Medium -Small frame ... they are all hell for stout ...
Bill Ruger made sure he built em' Tough .
I've been into Blackhawks since 1971 and I'm still confused by it all ...
Gary

 

[Ruger 13]

Unless they’re 44 Special. Now tell me THAT isn’t confusing.

Dan

I’ve owned 44 magnums and 45colt in both the New Vaquero and the Vaquero.

 

[pharmer]

........Also, not sure why this is a "Special Edition". It says this on top of the plastic case. Distributor gun from Davidson's or similar? Thanks.

I do believe you're right, or one of the other larger distributors. Joe

 

[jcs266]

I love my old Vaquero. Got it in August 1994 brand new. Sent it off to Hamilton Bowen for a good quality re-blue and true color case hardening of the frame and hammer. Also chamfered the cylinder edge. It's among my all-time favorites.

 

[G-Mac]

I do believe you're right, or one of the other larger distributors. Joe

This looks exactly like the one I bought.