Ruger Vaquero 45acp UPDATE!

[anoblefox]

Last week I had to qualify to renew my CCW and the instructor is also a gun dealer. I asked what he had in stock; his reply was what are you looking for? I casually answered that I do not have any single action revolvers and really wanted one of the Talo exclusive, birds head vaqueros in 45acp. To my amazement he said "I have one, would you like to have a look at it ?" Well I had a blank check with me because I was planning on buying some ammo from him. Well after holding in my hand for about 60 seconds I said "I'll take it." I will pick it up on Tuesday due to the waiting period here in Calif.
Having several 1911's, I already reload the acp and that had a lot to do with my desire for this caliber.
I picked it up yesterday just before the snowfall hit. Today I shot it and what a hoot to shoot! Surprisingly accurate with my reloads and the fixed sights. I already love this gun, cannot wait until my holster arrives

 

[dmthomp32]

That looks like a near perfect package!

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[Erich]

You're going to be SO happy when you see how it shoots...and reloading just makes it better!

 

[Rudi]

That is one sweet looking piece. The .45acp rules.

 

[redlevel]

I love my BH Vaq in .45ACP.
I had to file the front sight to get it shooting to point of aim. I believe Ruger sets the front sight for .45 Colt in those frames, knowing the sight will need to be “adjusted” for ACP. Easier to take metal off than to add metal.

Here is a thread I made describing the process. I was able to achieve very satisfactory results.

Sighting in the Birdshead ACP. Need a File

 

[Sistema1927]

I have the older one in .45 Colt. I have actually carried it CCW a time or two in a cross draw holster under a jacket. I load it up with "Almost Ruger Only" hard cast loads, and figure that it would be adequate for most trouble to come my way.

Guessing the .45 ACP would do the same.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

You have a winner there- those Birdhead Vaqueros are great shooters- and very fun little revolvers! .45 ACP is great out of a single action. Cheap big bore ammo. Well.. it was. Maybe it will be again.

I have a stainless one its one of my favorite guns.

 

[ejr10mm]

Nice grab. I like the vaqueros. Got an old one in 44 mag. If my LGS had one of them 45 app's in the case, I'd have a tough time walking away.

 

[vonn]

I have an old Vaquero in high polish stainless 44 mag that is a great shooter! I mildly modified the front sight and it is hog medicine out to 50 yards with Winchester 240 grain sjfp loads. Would like a range report !

 

[.357magger]

Congratulations.

You're going to enjoy it.

I certainly do mine, also in 45 acp, but I like them "shiny ".

 

[03hemi]

Love the Birdheads!

 

[jkallner]

Beautiful gun. Well done and it's nice to luck into something you want. Congratulations.

 

[Erich]

I love my BH Vaq in .45ACP.
I had to file the front sight to get it shooting to point of aim. I believe Ruger sets the front sight for .45 Colt in those frames, knowing the sight will need to be “adjusted” for ACP. Easier to take metal off than to add metal.

Here is a thread I made describing the process. I was able to achieve very satisfactory results.

Sighting in the Birdshead ACP. Need a File

Neat! Mine was fine on the elevation, but of course things change depending on what I'm shooting. (Pen pointing to POA at 10 yards)

 

[crstrode]

That's not a Vaquero.
It is a New Vaquero - big BIG difference between the two.

 

[.357magger]

Just another aside for when you take it out to shoot...1911 magazines work really well as handy speedloaders for the 45 acp variants.

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought a convertible New Model Blackhawk back about 1995-.45 Colt/.45 ACP. I was still LE back then, my buddy was the range officer and he had tons and tons of ACP ammo. I have seldom used the Colt cylinder. It is very accurate with the ACP cylinder.

I have carried mine as my EDC as well and have never felt under armed.

 

[Erich]

That's not a Vaquero.
It is a New Vaquero - big BIG difference between the two.

Did they even make the Vaquero in a birdshead .45 ACP? I don't think so. I doubt anyone who knows Rugers was led astray by the slight terminology question.

I have probably been guilty of doing it in the past, myself, but it's probably not best to trot out the pedantry on a friendly forum where someone's just trying to show off something he's excited to have found/bought (and others are cheering him on). You're right: it's a New Vaquero. So is mine. Now tell him it's a neat gun, eh?

 

[pharmer]

Did they even make the Vaquero in a birdshead .45 ACP? I don't think so. I doubt anyone who knows Rugers was led astray by the slight terminology question.

I guess with a little imagination and a bench grinder an "Old Vaquero" could become a birdshead. Joe

 

[BigBill]

Checkout your models to see if there still available. My LGS had a trade in never shot vaquero 45 LC 7.5” barrel in polished stainless. I looked at it went home to check it out. It’s no longer offered. The next day first thing Sunday morning I bought it. It came with papers, both boxes. It’s still unfired. So many guns get traded in that are still unfired.

I’m guessing the cowboy shooters don’t like the 7.5” barrels.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I do believe that the original Vaqueros only came with standard grips, that the bird's-head style was born with the New Vaquero.

But whether "old" or "new", they're wonderful guns. You'll love it.

I shot several major cowboy matches "clean" using these .45 Colt Vaqueros. I once also hit a steel target 140 yards away up a hill on a dare at a cowboy match. One shot, one steel PING!