Vaquero?

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Thinking on a Ruger New Vaquero in .357.

It's got fixed sights. For a field gun and for plinking is this a deal killer?

I'm worried point of aim/impact will vary wildly from .38s to .357s etc.

Does the fixed sights cripple this handgun for any serious real world application? I like the looks and action over the other models.

Thanks!

 

[weatherby]

I wouldn't think so you learn the gun and what sight picture works.

 

[PHS327]

For what it's worth, at 25 yards, my Vaquero in 44 special is the most accurate gun I own. My 4.25" model 69 in 44 mag is a close second.

The main thing wrong, imo, with the Vaquero for practical use would be that it takes relatively forever to reload.

 

[Rpg]

I wouldn't buy a fixed sighted gun if one with adjustable sights is available.

The superior sight picture alone seals the deal.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Agree with the poster before last. A single action is too slow when the other guy is carrying a semi or DA however experienced two handed cas shooters can easily outrun a semi using light cas loads. But a self defense weapon needs to be able to be run with only one hand in case the other hand -arm is hurt, protecting a friendly or actively defending against the attacker. I have 5 .45 Vaqueros and love them [I shoot cas] but my edc is much smaller and either a DA or semi. Adjustable sights on a defensive pistol are not truly needed imo. My J Frame or Colt Mustang have fixed sights.

 

[UncleEd]

I wouldn't think so you learn the gun and what sight picture works.

This. And find a load you and the gun likes and don't worry about the lack of adjustable sights. Truth is most people who have them don't touch them very often if at all.

And you can operate SA revolvers one-handed quite quickly. That's been true for more than a hundred years.

Seems a few here see handgun shooting as solely a gun fight tool.

A lot less can go wrong with a Vaquero and take a lot more abuse than any DA revolver.

 

[MarkAlt]

New Vaquero Montado 357


I've had a Vaquero Montado in 357 for many years. Very solid SAA repro with transfer bar. Sight picture isn't the greatest, but it always worked well enough for everyday plinking or a farm gun.

Just picked up a Taurus Deputy in 45LC, (also available in 357) with a nice polished deep blue/black. The sight picture on this seems to be better because of the darker finish. The Rugers polished SS didn't give a lot of contrast in daylight. Of course, the Vaquero is available in a medium blue polish or polished SS.


All the best,
Mark

 

[UncleEd]

One other factor, the Vaquero .357 is actually built on a ..44/.45 platform so if you reload, the gun will take some really hot loads.
Don't go crazy but it'll stand up better than many DA revolvers.

 

[TJm15.38]

When I bought this Ruger Blackhawk .44 Flatop in 2019, it actually came with a Ruger Vaquero manual. Turns out it is built on a new Vaquero grip frame and must be close to identical in size to one with a 4 and 5/8" barrel. These are sturdy revolvers. I've been thinking about acquiring a Vaquero in .357 Magnum with a 5.5" barrel. Don't think you can go wrong with one. By the way, the owner's manual I have says the fixed sights are set for 15 yards, but the only way to know would be to range test it. Between .38 special and .357 Magnum, there has to be a lot of difference in POI.

 

[StrawHat]

I carry a fixed sighted revolver every day, not a Vaquero but a S&W Model 22-4. I have one load and have shot it, accurately, out past 100 yards.

Kevin

 

[BigMuddy]

OP referred to it as a "field gun". Don't think he was wanting a multi shot spray and pray battle weapon

Choosing a fixed sight SA revolver for the stated purpose is in my opinion a very practical choice. The small dished out portion at the rear of sight channel on the Vaquero gives a very good sight picture. Not as good as an adjustable but way more durable. I like knowing that if my horse decides he'd rather not have me on his back my gun will still be hitting where it points and will probably still function.

As for the different POA for different loads, sight the gun in for one load and forget about it.

Dan

 

[noonster]

I have the older (heavy) 44 mag. Got it as my plinker/Alaska bear medicine gun. Fixed sights can be fun. Know your ammo - both mag and "Special" varieties. I imagine you'd handload o won't be monkeying around with all sorts of ballistics; just mag and not-mag. Keep your life simple. Enjoy it.

 

[S&W629]

I "aim" with my revolvers with adjustable sights.....the ones with fixed sights.....are "reflex" shooting....without aiming.....

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

One other factor, the Vaquero .357 is actually built on a ..44/.45 platform so if you reload, the gun will take some really hot loads.
Don't go crazy but it'll stand up better than many DA revolvers.

ONLY the older ones.......The newer ones are built on the smaller frame.

 

[Puller]

Fixed sight .38/357 is certainly not a deal breaker or me, actually I prefer it for a carry or even plinking gun. I have a 3 inch S&W 13 that is one of my favorite fixed sight revolvers.

 

[Pisgah]

Whether or not you will find fixed sights satisfactory rests largely on two factors. The first is the inherent accuracy of your gun. In my experience of Ruger single actions, this is rarely a problem. The second factor is the shooter. If you can learn where those sights are pointing with X, Y or Z load you can enjoy the experience of sights that can never get out of adjustment. If you've ever had a brother-in-law borrow your revolver and set the sights to his liking without telling you, you'll understand how nice that feature is...

 

[UncleEd]

ONLY the older ones.......The newer ones are built on the smaller frame.

True but the frame/cylinder still capable of .44/.45 calibers (not hot loads or magnum necessarily) but in .357, more than enough extra steel for top loaded ammo.

 

[Rudi]

To me, fixed sights are OK, unless you are a target shooter. A friend of mine has a Vaquero in .45lc, a great piece.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm down to 2 pair of Old Model Vaqueros, all in 45 Colt. The New Model weigh less, but the balance still isn't a SAA!

All Rugar steel revolvers are built like tanks! Old models are like Abrams and New Models are like M-60's! If you stay within any loading manual, you will be safe.

One routine maintenance Item is , check the retaining screw on the ejector rod housing. (or blue Loctite it.) They have been known to vibrate loose every so often.

You will be perfectly safe loading and catting 6 rounds. If you plan on doing any Cowboy Action Shooting, go ahead and get used to loading 5 and carrying on an empty chamber. Ron Powers makes "The Power Paw" which allows you to rotate the cylinder backwards. This lets you speedily load a sixth round. I have one pair with the Power Paw and one without.

Ivan

 

[BigMuddy]

Ivan,

I like the Power free spin pawl and have them on several of my Rugers. The New Vaquero has the indexing pawl that properly aligns the chambers in the cylinder with the loading gate. If a "free spin" is desired in these guns that indexing plunger can be removed and the cylinder free spins both ways. I have heard this doesn't always work but it has on the few I have tried.

Dan

 

[James K]

Have several Rugers and the Vaquero Bisley may be my favorite.

 

[GypsmJim]

My Vaquero is a .45 Colt. It is a high polish SS Ruger 60 Year Commemorative. It is awesomely fun to shoot and shoots to point of aim. I couldn't be happier.

I never realized it was hard to reload. It's a single action. If it takes too long to reload then maybe a hand ejector would be more suitable.

The sight picture is quite acceptable.

 

[PHS327]

My Vaquero is a .45 Colt. It is a high polish SS Ruger 60 Year Commemorative. It is awesomely fun to shoot and shoots to point of aim. I couldn't be happier.

I never realized it was hard to reload. It's a single action. If it takes too long to reload then maybe a hand ejector would be more suitable.

The sight picture is quite acceptable.

It's not hard to reload, just takes awhile. For most situations, six shots would be plenty. If not, the faster the reload, the better.

 

[GypsmJim]

It's not hard to reload, just takes awhile. For most situations, six shots would be plenty. If not, the faster the reload, the better.

I guess I just never thought about speed being necessary. But I guess it might be in a tactical situation.

I used to carry a Blackhawk deer hunting, but then switched to a TC Encore single shot. Longer range and never needed a second shot anyway.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I never realized it was hard to reload. It's a single action. If it takes too long to reload then maybe a hand ejector would be more suitable.

I EDC a 5 shot J-Frame 38, carrying a 45 Colt Vaquero is a Luxury! A Vaquero and a Lever Gun is awesome firepower.

Carrying two guns is now called a New York Reload. Carrying two SA six shooters was pretty powerful stuff in the Cowboy Days!

My wife's grandfather came off the range in the late 20's. He had a small and not very profitable ranch in Navada. To supplement his cash flow, as he called it, "He Hunted Men", for that he carried twin Colt 45's, a large rifle, and a Marlin 25-20 (for getting food). His name really was Bart, but nobody called him "Bad Bart", at least not to his face!

Ivan

 

[GypsmJim]

Carrying two guns is now called a New York Reload. Carrying two SA six shooters was pretty powerful stuff in the Cowboy Days!



Ivan

Hay wait! I resemble that remark.

In my youth I carried two nickle plated singles in a Roy Rogers double holster. When I got my my Rifleman Winchester I was the unbeatable kid on the block.

I still have a Fanner Fifty and the Rifleman hangs in my garage.

Those were much better days....

 

[Fishinfool]

I like the clean lines and durability of a fixed sight SA. But they are NOT my first choice for a woods / hunting revolver.

Your odds of finding a SA with fixed sights that shoots exactly to point of aim with your favorite load is small. And POA grouping is important in a field gun.

Unlike a paper target at the range, where multiple shots are being fired, and bullet impact can be judged on paper, then compinsated for via Kentucky Windage, grip adjustment, etc., its different in the woods. At least when shooting at game, your first shot is usually going to be your only, and best shot. You don't need to be trying to figure 4 inches to the left and 2 inches low, at 45 yards, while trying to nail a nervous cottontail. And I for one appreciate being to use different loads depending on the purpose. Seldom will they all shoot to the same point of aim.

Actually, probably, most shooters would be well served with a fixed sight SA that was reasonably close to POA. General plinking, rolling a few tin cans, or an unlucky squirrel. But when you say field gun, I think hunting as well. A serious guy who hunts and wants to be able to hit at a variety of ranges will apricate not having to apply Kentucky Windage on an already difficult shot at a potentially small kill zone.

For what its worth, I have been a pretty serious handgun hunter for almost 50 years, and all my Ruger SA's I hunt with are adj. sights. The one exception is a fixed sight Bearcat that shoots exactly to the sights at 25 yards with CCI HV HP's. Just my view, anyway.

Larry

 

[StrawHat]

… And POA grouping is important in a field gun.
… A serious guy who hunts and wants to be able to hit at a variety of ranges will apricate not having to apply Kentucky Windage on an already difficult shot at a potentially small kill zone.
…

Larry

Larry,

I agree about windage but even with adjustable sight you need to compensate for elevation. And when I hunted, you needed to take into consideration winds and elevation or declination. Bottom line, depending on sights without a lot of shooting from field positions, good luck!

Kevin

 

[GypsmJim]

I started handgun hunting the first year after handguns were made legal for deer. My recollection is that was about 30 years ago. Prior to that it was 12 ga. slugs.

Our camp is fully wooded. As such, a 50 yard shot is about all we have. I'm good, but not that good, so my handgun range has always been limited to about 25 yards. I was always comfortable with a .45 Colt at that range, and I have the trophies to show for it. In my case a Vaquero works just fine.

In recent years, as the trees grow taller, low brush has been eliminated. Now, I have a sight picture that goes out as far as 100 yards. Nevertheless, am I competent enough at that range?

An Encore in 0.308 Winchester fits the bill. The first time out I brought home the biggest deer of my life.

Regardless, handgun hunting means a shorter range. Those that try further "may" not be good sportsmen. I have taken deer for 60 years. Never did it require a second shot. (Dirty Harry quote is appropriate here)

 

[diyj98]

The only gun I want fixed sights on is a pocket revolver. I much prefer adjustable sights on anything I'd going to be target shooting or hunting with.