Custom adjustable sights on a Vaquero?

oldcars · March 15, 2010, 10:33 PM

Has anyone ever owned/built a Ruger Vaquero (or other single action) with an adjustable rear sight? Yes, I realize that I could just buy a Blachawk, but I like the look of the rounder frame and front sight much better on a "traditional" looking single action (and I like custom guns). Plus, I have a couple gunsmith freinds with lots of expensive macines! mabe a S&W rear sight milled into the top strap? I know that a few comanies made lots of money doing Colt conversions many years ago......anyone got any pictures? Or how about pictures of a Blackhawk with the frame rounded?

hickstick_10 · March 15, 2010, 10:47 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmm you need to google Elmer Keiths pistols.

He had some neat looking colts done up with better sights that would be right up your alley

Pathfinder45 · March 16, 2010, 02:34 AM

The Vaquero has a perfect rear sight already. Don't mess with it. On the other hand, the front sight demands a bit of alteration. Nothing that can't be handled with a good file and some sight-paint, though.

Pathfinder45 · March 16, 2010, 02:36 AM

The Vaquero has a perfect rear sight already. Don't mess with it. On the other hand, the front sight demands a bit of alteration. Nothing that can't be handled with a good file and some sight-paint, though.

oldcars · March 16, 2010, 10:14 AM

Ah yes, re-inventing the wheel! Nothing wrong with that! I like custom stuff! I was looking at all the pistols in my safe and I think a slim little S&W J frame adjustable sight would work well if the slot was milled correctly into the top of a Vaquero, but I would most likely need to raise the front sight a little as well.

Malamute · March 16, 2010, 03:27 PM

I've been thinking about doing a K frame Smith rear sight on a Ruger Vaquero, with a Colt Flat Top Target type front. I don't share the opinion that fixed sights are perfect.

I've also done a couple Blackhawks into flat tops. I like them better than the ears around the rear sight. I don't care at all for the huge wing of a front sight that Ruger uses on adjustable sight guns. I had one front sight made similar to the Colt Flat Top Target, tho the guy didnt follow my instructions when he made it (why is that so common with 'Smiths?). Another 'Smith is going to make me a few proper fronts, so I can replace the factory sights.

Rear sight detail on the 44. Has a steel rear sight also. I ground the top of the sight base to fit the frame when it was sighted in.

On the 45, (with the Rosewood grips) I used a steel rear sight, and filed the blade a little lower. Also filed the frame notch a little deeper, then ran the sight up a few clicks off bottom, and sighted in by filing the front to size. Close as I can tell, the front sight base size of the Colt Flat Top Targets is about:

Width .300"
Blade thickness .100"
Length .600"
Base height .250"
Overall height .500"

That's the numbers I'm giving my 'Smith to use anyway They work for Rugers.

Jim March · March 16, 2010, 04:14 PM

Did somebody say "Vaquero with weird sights"?

aarondhgraham · March 16, 2010, 04:19 PM

The Vaquero was designed with the cowboys (SASS & CAS) in mind,,,
The SAA's didn't have adjustable sights so they can't use sights in regular CAS matches.

But Ruger has the Blackhawk that always comes with adjustable sights,,,
I know they are not the "exact" same gun but they are sure close.

Then I remember I like custom leather,,,
Off the shelf leather is absolutely fine for performance,,,
So why do I insist on custom rigs for all of my stock fieryarms?

'Cause I want it,,,
That's why.

Answered my own question I did.

Have at it my friend,,,
Do what makes ya smile.

Pathfinder45 · March 17, 2010, 12:21 AM

Jim, I gotta hand it to ya. You must be immune to ridicule. If that were my gun I'd be embarrassed. Still, I bet it shoots real well. If you can see the target through that tube, you can't miss, right? Fellas, I'm sorry about the accidental double-post. I tried to delete it but couldn't figure it out. Now the whole reason I prefer the smooth fixed rear sight of the Vaquero and SAA is their handling qualities: You can wrap your thumb around the top strap and as the gun is rotated or rolled forward the thumb slides right into and cocks the hammer in a fluid motion. Adjustable sights gouge and hang up on your thumb when you try this.

mega twin · March 17, 2010, 06:29 AM

I have to go with 'form follows function'.

Fixed sights are fine if you go with one load that shoots to point of aim,but on some guns,if you don't reload,can be very expensive to find that one.
Rear adjustable sights,if being custom,can be smaller than the norm for easy single action cocking,and can also be de-horned.

I like Jims' ideas also.

Jim March · March 17, 2010, 07:18 AM

I did all my own leatherwork of course to cope with that sight...came out pretty decent, esp. the holster.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/...d54a6d6680.jpg

The sight is a homebrew clone of:

http://www.goshen-hexsite.com/pdf/Handguns_2008June.pdf

...and by God it works. Target-focus instead of front-sight-focus changes *everything*. Best "iron" sights on the planet, bar none.

zippy13 · March 17, 2010, 11:28 AM

Jim,
It's an interesting concept. Is your hex an aperture or the length of the tube?

Pathfinder45 · March 17, 2010, 01:25 PM

Jim, are you holdin' over to hit the power-lines? Maybe into the wind a little so's to take out the transformer? Nice to see some home-made leather work there. I dabble with that too. When I get my camera back I'll see if I can't post some pix of my Vaquero and holster too.

L_Killkenny · March 17, 2010, 01:41 PM

I've thought about having a rear sight milled in on my fixed sight Single Six. Basically they hog out the existing rear sight area and drill and tap the top strap for installation. If done right the only visible part of the sight when veiwed from the side is the very back part.

Personally I wish Ruger would make a blackhawk with an adjustable rear and blade from. The front sight on adjustable blackhawks is butt ugly.

LK

mk70ss · March 18, 2010, 07:50 PM

Vaquero with adjustable sights= Blackhawk in my book.

Jim March · March 18, 2010, 08:30 PM

Zippy, the rear aperture is a 1/4" long section of 7mm socket. As an aside, I found a 7mm hex key a few days after taking that picture and was able to re-mount the aperture dead even rather than just slightly crooked as in that shot.

When sighting it I can't see the inside of the tube. The hex aperture forms a barrier that blocks it as long as I'm anywhere near dead on, and it's not AT ALL hard to hold it in line accurately even while focusing on the front sight.

Y'all can laugh but this is the best gunsight I've ever used.

If it's not clear yet: the reason for the full-length tube is to put both front and rear sights into shadow to get a "dead black" effect that's part of the Hexsite recipe. In a real Hexsite front'n'rear setup, he gets there with high-tech polymer coatings that don't glint. Lacking such, I used the tube both to get a shadow and to protect my front, which is a steel core originally from a fiber optic front sight layered in putty epoxy.

Funny thing is, I actually had to find a socket with the right OUTSIDE diameter (to fit inside the tube) and like an idiot didn't actually look at which actual socket it turned out to be prior to installation. So I had to check a bunch of different hex keys

.

March 15, 2010, 10:33 PM	#1
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	Custom adjustable sights on a Vaquero? Has anyone ever owned/built a Ruger Vaquero (or other single action) with an adjustable rear sight? Yes, I realize that I could just buy a Blachawk, but I like the look of the rounder frame and front sight much better on a "traditional" looking single action (and I like custom guns). Plus, I have a couple gunsmith freinds with lots of expensive macines! mabe a S&W rear sight milled into the top strap? I know that a few comanies made lots of money doing Colt conversions many years ago......anyone got any pictures? Or how about pictures of a Blackhawk with the frame rounded?

March 16, 2010, 02:34 AM	#3
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Always trying to re-invent the wheel....... The Vaquero has a perfect rear sight already. Don't mess with it. On the other hand, the front sight demands a bit of alteration. Nothing that can't be handled with a good file and some sight-paint, though.

March 16, 2010, 02:36 AM	#4
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Always tying to re-invent the wheel...... The Vaquero has a perfect rear sight already. Don't mess with it. On the other hand, the front sight demands a bit of alteration. Nothing that can't be handled with a good file and some sight-paint, though.

March 16, 2010, 03:27 PM	#6
Malamute Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Rocky Mts Posts: 859	I've been thinking about doing a K frame Smith rear sight on a Ruger Vaquero, with a Colt Flat Top Target type front. I don't share the opinion that fixed sights are perfect. I've also done a couple Blackhawks into flat tops. I like them better than the ears around the rear sight. I don't care at all for the huge wing of a front sight that Ruger uses on adjustable sight guns. I had one front sight made similar to the Colt Flat Top Target, tho the guy didnt follow my instructions when he made it (why is that so common with 'Smiths?). Another 'Smith is going to make me a few proper fronts, so I can replace the factory sights. Rear sight detail on the 44. Has a steel rear sight also. I ground the top of the sight base to fit the frame when it was sighted in. On the 45, (with the Rosewood grips) I used a steel rear sight, and filed the blade a little lower. Also filed the frame notch a little deeper, then ran the sight up a few clicks off bottom, and sighted in by filing the front to size. Close as I can tell, the front sight base size of the Colt Flat Top Targets is about: Width .300" Blade thickness .100" Length .600" Base height .250" Overall height .500" That's the numbers I'm giving my 'Smith to use anyway They work for Rugers. __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt- Last edited by Malamute; March 16, 2010 at 03:42 PM.

March 16, 2010, 04:14 PM	#7
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	Did somebody say "Vaquero with weird sights"? __________________ Jim March

March 15, 2010, 10:47 PM	#2
hickstick_10 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 477	hmmmmmmmmmmm you need to google Elmer Keiths pistols. He had some neat looking colts done up with better sights that would be right up your alley

March 16, 2010, 10:14 AM	#5
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	Ah yes, re-inventing the wheel! Nothing wrong with that! I like custom stuff! I was looking at all the pistols in my safe and I think a slim little S&W J frame adjustable sight would work well if the slot was milled correctly into the top of a Vaquero, but I would most likely need to raise the front sight a little as well.

March 16, 2010, 04:19 PM	#8
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I'm just wondering why,,, The Vaquero was designed with the cowboys (SASS & CAS) in mind,,, The SAA's didn't have adjustable sights so they can't use sights in regular CAS matches. But Ruger has the Blackhawk that always comes with adjustable sights,,, I know they are not the "exact" same gun but they are sure close. Then I remember I like custom leather,,, Off the shelf leather is absolutely fine for performance,,, So why do I insist on custom rigs for all of my stock fieryarms? 'Cause I want it,,, That's why. Answered my own question I did. Have at it my friend,,, Do what makes ya smile. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

March 17, 2010, 12:21 AM	#9
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Jim's gun Jim, I gotta hand it to ya. You must be immune to ridicule. If that were my gun I'd be embarrassed. Still, I bet it shoots real well. If you can see the target through that tube, you can't miss, right? Fellas, I'm sorry about the accidental double-post. I tried to delete it but couldn't figure it out. Now the whole reason I prefer the smooth fixed rear sight of the Vaquero and SAA is their handling qualities: You can wrap your thumb around the top strap and as the gun is rotated or rolled forward the thumb slides right into and cocks the hammer in a fluid motion. Adjustable sights gouge and hang up on your thumb when you try this.

March 17, 2010, 06:29 AM	#10
mega twin Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2006 Posts: 434	I have to go with 'form follows function'. Fixed sights are fine if you go with one load that shoots to point of aim,but on some guns,if you don't reload,can be very expensive to find that one. Rear adjustable sights,if being custom,can be smaller than the norm for easy single action cocking,and can also be de-horned. I like Jims' ideas also.

March 17, 2010, 07:18 AM	#11
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	I did all my own leatherwork of course to cope with that sight...came out pretty decent, esp. the holster. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/...d54a6d6680.jpg The sight is a homebrew clone of: http://www.goshen-hexsite.com/pdf/Handguns_2008June.pdf ...and by God it works. Target-focus instead of front-sight-focus changes everything. Best "iron" sights on the planet, bar none. __________________ Jim March

March 17, 2010, 11:28 AM	#12
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Jim, It's an interesting concept. Is your hex an aperture or the length of the tube?

March 17, 2010, 01:25 PM	#13
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Tranformer? Jim, are you holdin' over to hit the power-lines? Maybe into the wind a little so's to take out the transformer? Nice to see some home-made leather work there. I dabble with that too. When I get my camera back I'll see if I can't post some pix of my Vaquero and holster too.

March 17, 2010, 01:41 PM	#14
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	I've thought about having a rear sight milled in on my fixed sight Single Six. Basically they hog out the existing rear sight area and drill and tap the top strap for installation. If done right the only visible part of the sight when veiwed from the side is the very back part. Personally I wish Ruger would make a blackhawk with an adjustable rear and blade from. The front sight on adjustable blackhawks is butt ugly. LK

March 18, 2010, 07:50 PM	#15
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Vaquero with adjustable sights= Blackhawk in my book.

March 18, 2010, 08:30 PM	#16
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	Zippy, the rear aperture is a 1/4" long section of 7mm socket. As an aside, I found a 7mm hex key a few days after taking that picture and was able to re-mount the aperture dead even rather than just slightly crooked as in that shot. When sighting it I can't see the inside of the tube. The hex aperture forms a barrier that blocks it as long as I'm anywhere near dead on, and it's not AT ALL hard to hold it in line accurately even while focusing on the front sight. Y'all can laugh but this is the best gunsight I've ever used. If it's not clear yet: the reason for the full-length tube is to put both front and rear sights into shadow to get a "dead black" effect that's part of the Hexsite recipe. In a real Hexsite front'n'rear setup, he gets there with high-tech polymer coatings that don't glint. Lacking such, I used the tube both to get a shadow and to protect my front, which is a steel core originally from a fiber optic front sight layered in putty epoxy. Funny thing is, I actually had to find a socket with the right OUTSIDE diameter (to fit inside the tube) and like an idiot didn't actually look at which actual socket it turned out to be prior to installation. So I had to check a bunch of different hex keys . __________________ Jim March