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Jim March · January 7, 2013, 02:45 AM

The NewVaq357 is not at ALL weak. It still rates as one of the strongest 357s made. The action parts (bolt, pawl, cylinder ratchet, base pin, hammer, etc.) are the same strength as the large-frame Ruger SAs. The transfer bar is actually beefed up for the high round counts the SASS/CAS guys were doing.

The cylinder is beefier in all directions over a GP100 or S&W L-frame, neither of which are wimps.

Some people have successfully re-chambered the NewVaq357s to 41Magnum six-shooters just by reaming the factory 357 cylinder and swapping barrels. There are also functional 44Magnum conversions out there with custom 5-shot cylinders and they hold up just fine.

January 7, 2013, 02:45 AM	#8
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	The NewVaq357 is not at ALL weak. It still rates as one of the strongest 357s made. The action parts (bolt, pawl, cylinder ratchet, base pin, hammer, etc.) are the same strength as the large-frame Ruger SAs. The transfer bar is actually beefed up for the high round counts the SASS/CAS guys were doing. The cylinder is beefier in all directions over a GP100 or S&W L-frame, neither of which are wimps. Some people have successfully re-chambered the NewVaq357s to 41Magnum six-shooters just by reaming the factory 357 cylinder and swapping barrels. There are also functional 44Magnum conversions out there with custom 5-shot cylinders and they hold up just fine. __________________ Jim March