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June 15, 2012, 08:46 PM | #1 |
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Vaquero on a single six frame?
I can't be sure, but I think I heard someone tell me once that Ruger made their Vaquero models on a Single Six frame. Is this true?
I have small hands, and I was considering getting the Bisley Vaquero, but if I can get a smaller gun for the same or cheaper price, Who wouldn't prefer that!? Thanks in advance! |
June 15, 2012, 10:50 PM | #2 |
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Never, old frames were "full sized"- i.e. "Ruger Only" load capable.My "Old" style Vaquero .45 Colt was too big for my hands until I switched out to slimmer grips. The new Vaqueros are built on a medimum size frame and fits my hand perfectly right out of the box. Good to about 20k psi in .45 Colt. No
.44 mag like Ruger had in the "Old" style. |
June 16, 2012, 04:21 AM | #3 |
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I don't know why it never occurred to me to consider changing grips!
Thanks! I'll consider that when I make my purchase. Now here's where I really look dumb, but I have to ask: how do you if it's a "New Vaquero" or and "Old Vaquero"? Is it inscribed on the firearm, or are there distinctive traits, or do you just have to ask? |
June 16, 2012, 12:38 PM | #4 |
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If you at a gun store, compare the size of the frame to a blawkhawk, if the frame is same as blackhawk, you have Old Vaquero. If it's slightly smaller it's a new Vaquero. In this case, size is everything. Or you compare it with any other Peacemaker clone. The old Vaquero is going to be noticebly larger in most, if not all demensions. For instance, the cylinder will be at least 1/4 inch longer on old vaquero. Or just ask the guy. The old Vaquero is obviously larger than other peacemaker clones.
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June 16, 2012, 05:20 PM | #5 |
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The "New Vaquero's" say "New Vaquero" on the frame (exception being the 44 Special) If it says just "Vaquero" and isn't a 44 Special, then it's the large frame. There is no Large Frame Vaquero in 44 Special. If it's a 44Magnum it's a large frame.
Ruger seems to like to make things a bit confusing. There are also mid frame Blackhawks, so comparing to a Blackhawk isn't really a safe bet either. |
June 17, 2012, 04:01 AM | #6 |
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Thanks. I guess I'll restrict my shopping to the New Vaquero from now on. I'm not, however, interested in the Blackhawk model because I prefer fixed sights, personally.
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June 17, 2012, 08:54 AM | #7 |
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You will be very happy with the new Vaqueros. Tolerances are much better than the old Vaqueros. Really, they are built on .357 mag size frames so if you go with the .45 Colt you will be limited to 20k psi and around 270 to 280 grain bullets (shorter cylinder). For what you intend to use it for, a 255 grain SWC at around 950 fps will do just about anything a gun can do anyway. I have had both new and old Vaqueros and the new ones are fantastic.
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June 17, 2012, 10:00 AM | #8 |
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vaquero
JM, I'm not trying to start an arguement but I thought the tolerances on the old Vaquero were pretty good to start with. I own an old one in .45 colt, and it seems pretty tight despite hundreds of rounds thru it. Maybe I should consider a new one as well, only this time blued instead of polished stainless.
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June 17, 2012, 11:43 AM | #9 |
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Here is link to Handloader magazine article from Brian Pearce discussing specifics. Fantastic article and the editor's notes on the article at the beginning of the PDF are interesting as well.
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...34_preview.pdf "Over the years I have measured the throats of dozens of older Vaqueros and Blackhawks chambered in .45 Colt. Virtually all guns built in the last 15 years have throats that measure .448 to .450 inch, with .449 inch being most common. Combined with a groove diameter of .452 inch, accuracy was not up to its full potential until the throats were opened to .452 to .453 inch, depending on bullet size. (This is a simple job and most gunsmiths charge around $40 to $50 for the work and only require the cylinder be sent.) In measuring the throats of the New Vaquero, I found they measured .452 inch – right on the money for best accuracy." |
June 17, 2012, 12:10 PM | #10 |
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Well JM, you certainly have the statistics to back up what you're saying, but those tolerances could easily vary gun to gun. I'm not a accuracy shooter as such, I bought my guns to have fun with, and if I can put it on paper close enough to cover with a dollar bill, I,m having fun. I gonna assume my gun has a .450 throat and consider it good. They're still fine guns, new or old!!
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June 17, 2012, 01:31 PM | #11 |
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Ruger made fixed sight versions of the Single Six in .22 and in .32 caliber; these are sometimes called "Baby Vaqueros" and they've been out of production for some time. Here's a link to a GunBlast article on the subject: http://www.gunblast.com/Baby_Vaquero.htm
I've seen them with standard and birdshead grips. There was a Bisley version that I believe was a distributor exclusive. The .32s were popular in cowboy action, especially with ladies and youth, because the Baby Vaquero satisfied the minimum caliber requirement and the grip/frame size was considerably smaller than the Ruger Vaquero. I still see them for sale used from time to time. |
June 17, 2012, 01:45 PM | #12 |
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I remember those, weren't they also [ Or first offered] in .32 mag.? Is there any gun still offered in .32 mag. It was never one of my favorite calibers, so I lost tract of it over the years. But I know it approached .38 Special territory in ballistics, but that's all I remember. I don't think it took off like H+R imagined it would. It was pretty much a clone of .32-20 but in a smaller case. Having a 'Baby' Vaquero in .32 mag. would be kinda cool.
Last edited by buckhorn; June 17, 2012 at 01:51 PM. |
June 17, 2012, 06:04 PM | #13 |
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Actually, the fixed sight .32H&R's WERE built on the Single-Six frame, AND referred to as "Baby Vaquero's".
http://www.gunblast.com/Baby_Vaquero.htm Some also refer to their fixed sight .22LR Single-Six as a Baby Vaquero, too. . . |
June 17, 2012, 07:01 PM | #14 |
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These are not refered to as Vaquero's but just fixed sight 22 Caliber Single Six Convertibles (22LR/22Mag). The 4 5/8" gun has a XR3 RED Short Grip Frame and the 6 1/2" gun has a NM XR3 Frame.
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June 17, 2012, 07:16 PM | #15 |
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here's one of each
the first picture is an ''old'' model Vaquero on the bottom, with the ''new'' model Vaquero on top. The old model cylinder is a larger diameter (thicker walls), but the same length. The hammer spur on the new model is lower, making the new model much easier to cock. The frame and grip frame is slightly smaller on the new model. (Colt Peacemaker size). The second picture is the new model on the bottom, the single six .32 H&R magnum in the center and the old model on the top. This shows the relative sizes of the pistol frames and grips. The Bisley grip, even though the frame itself is smaller at the cylinder, is actually larger than the Vaqueros. The third picture is the new model on the left, the bisley in the center, and the old model on the right. I shaved the Vaquero grips (Ajax) to have a similar ''feel''. The Bisley is quite thick. The 2 Vaqueros are .45 Colt.
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June 18, 2012, 12:41 PM | #16 |
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REP1954- What kind of finish is on that 4 5/8 single six you showed. I really like it. The gun looks 100 years older than what it is. Really fine looking six-shooter.
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June 18, 2012, 04:48 PM | #17 | |
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June 19, 2012, 01:18 PM | #18 |
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I like 'antique finish revolvers' but they cost a ton more than reg. finish guns. I would like to find a project like that and make it look 100 yrs. old. I'll just keep going to gun shows, maybe something like that will be around that just needs some TLC.
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June 21, 2012, 05:45 PM | #19 | |
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Just as a side note, one other way to tell the difference between old and new Vaquero is the serial numbers. The New Vaquero will have a three digit prefix ... say 520-12345....
Quote:
As PetahW states, there were baby Vaqueros made. Someday I might run onto one.
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June 21, 2012, 10:40 PM | #20 |
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Great post as I'm looking to buy a Colt clone in .45 cal. Those specks on the throats will help me get the right gun the first time. (.452)
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June 22, 2012, 04:05 AM | #21 |
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How does the Ruger old Army frame fit into this picture, if it all?
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June 22, 2012, 04:24 AM | #22 | |
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June 22, 2012, 02:41 PM | #23 |
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RCLARK- Thanks for info. I called around to a couple gunshops here and only one knew what I was talking about! Seems were I live there are 9mm guys and some .45 auto guys. One guy even tried to sell me a gun over the phone. [ I quess no gun smith's here ]. Well, I'll go to internet like I always do . By the way, money wise, what's a ballpark figure, and can you recommend someone who knows what they're doing. I'm intriqued now.
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June 22, 2012, 05:35 PM | #24 |
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Did you call Duncan's?
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June 23, 2012, 06:17 AM | #25 |
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I know that my Blackhawk and Single Six can interchange grips. The New Vaquero will not.
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ruger , single six , vaquero |
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