Ruger Vaquero Bisley .357

PatientWolf · July 28, 2019, 11:13 PM

I’m thinking about a Ruger Vaquero Bisley .357.

Anybody have one? What kind of feedback can you give?

**44 AMP** · July 29, 2019, 01:34 AM

Just to be clear, are you talking about the Vaquero, or the New Vaquero??

They are NOT the same guns.

PatientWolf · July 29, 2019, 04:45 AM

Im looking at the New Vaquero Bisley in SS.

Pahoo · July 29, 2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Anybody have one? What kind of feedback can you give?

Not only do they look great but in my look sharp. I did a trigger job on a buddies .357 and "sweet" it is. You really need to hold and if possible, shoot one. There are some physical advantages to this design. …….

Be Safe !!!

BBarn · July 29, 2019, 04:00 PM

Several times I've shot a non-Bisley version of the gun you are looking at. I like it, and very much prefer it over the larger "original" Vaquero that had a standard Blackhawk size frame. The New Vaquero also has the small indexing plunger that interfaces with the cylinder cocking cuts, making for easier cylinder alignment during ejection and loading.

rep1954 · July 29, 2019, 04:45 PM

Ever since this gun came out it’s been the most elegant sweetest shooting 357 that Ruger has ever made. The 5 1/2” barrel is just perfect on it. Even in the Vaquero model it’s a nice shooting iron. I’m a fan of the 357 in either gun.

Wheel-Gunner · July 29, 2019, 06:12 PM

Have several New Vaquero Bisley's (as well as a few Blackhawks and a single-seven Bisley); I doubt you would regret it. The exact gun you speak of is my fav of all the Bisley's I own. It is a boat anchor, but shoots/looks great!

PatientWolf · July 29, 2019, 06:48 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. The pistol in question was a “used” model. It supposedly had one box of ammo shot through it, but I see no evidence it had ever been fired. Was offered with a Galco holster.

Based on all the positive feedback I went back and offered $520 against the $620 asking price and it came home with me. I’ve been wanting a single action and don’t think I did too badly on the deal.

smee78 · July 29, 2019, 07:10 PM

I prefer the original bomb proof older models but I also handload and enjoy different weights and powder charges. Your requirements may be different than mine.

PatientWolf · July 30, 2019, 02:40 AM

Quote:

I prefer the original bomb proof older models but I also handload and enjoy different weights and powder charges. Your requirements may be different than mine.

Yes. Actually they are. I like to be able to safely load 6 rounds.

FAL'er · July 30, 2019, 10:28 PM

It's safe to load 6 rounds in either version. They both have the same transfer bar ignition system.

The difference is in the size of the pistol overall. The "New Vaquero" is sized more accurately to the Colt Single action army.

Being smaller it's not able to be loaded as "hot" as the older "Vaquero" which was built on the Blackhawk frame.

Jim Watson · July 30, 2019, 11:35 PM

I doubt there is any sensible limit to .357 in the flattop or NV, not like .45 where cylinder wall thickness matters.
Consider original S&W Magnum loads and the Great Western .357 Atomic.

**44 AMP** · July 31, 2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Being smaller it's not able to be loaded as "hot" as the older "Vaquero" which was built on the Blackhawk frame.

To be precise, the original Vaquero frame is the same size as the New Model Blackhawk frame. It is not identical because the Vaquero has a round top fixed sight frame.

Quote:

I doubt there is any sensible limit to .357 in the flattop or NV, not like .45 where cylinder wall thickness matters.

Cylinder wall thickness always matters. In .357 both frame size Ruger's have more than plenty. In .45 Colt, it is more significant, but only if you plan to use higher pressure than SAAMI spec.

Despite the fact that "everyone" does it, Ruger has NEVER endorsed or authorized the use of higher that SAAMI spec pressure ammo in ANY of their guns.

July 28, 2019, 11:13 PM	#1
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	Ruger Vaquero Bisley .357 I’m thinking about a Ruger Vaquero Bisley .357. Anybody have one? What kind of feedback can you give?

July 29, 2019, 01:34 AM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	Just to be clear, are you talking about the Vaquero, or the New Vaquero?? They are NOT the same guns. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 29, 2019, 04:45 AM	#3
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	Clarification Im looking at the New Vaquero Bisley in SS.

July 29, 2019, 06:12 PM	#7
Wheel-Gunner Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Posts: 277	Have several New Vaquero Bisley's (as well as a few Blackhawks and a single-seven Bisley); I doubt you would regret it. The exact gun you speak of is my fav of all the Bisley's I own. It is a boat anchor, but shoots/looks great! __________________ "History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." Dwight Eisenhower

July 29, 2019, 07:10 PM	#9
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I prefer the original bomb proof older models but I also handload and enjoy different weights and powder charges. Your requirements may be different than mine. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

July 29, 2019, 04:00 PM	#5
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Several times I've shot a non-Bisley version of the gun you are looking at. I like it, and very much prefer it over the larger "original" Vaquero that had a standard Blackhawk size frame. The New Vaquero also has the small indexing plunger that interfaces with the cylinder cocking cuts, making for easier cylinder alignment during ejection and loading.

July 29, 2019, 04:45 PM	#6
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	Ever since this gun came out it’s been the most elegant sweetest shooting 357 that Ruger has ever made. The 5 1/2” barrel is just perfect on it. Even in the Vaquero model it’s a nice shooting iron. I’m a fan of the 357 in either gun.

July 29, 2019, 06:48 PM	#8
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	Thanks for all the feedback. The pistol in question was a “used” model. It supposedly had one box of ammo shot through it, but I see no evidence it had ever been fired. Was offered with a Galco holster. Based on all the positive feedback I went back and offered $520 against the $620 asking price and it came home with me. I’ve been wanting a single action and don’t think I did too badly on the deal.

July 30, 2019, 10:28 PM	#11
FAL'er Member Join Date: May 26, 2019 Posts: 16	It's safe to load 6 rounds in either version. They both have the same transfer bar ignition system. The difference is in the size of the pistol overall. The "New Vaquero" is sized more accurately to the Colt Single action army. Being smaller it's not able to be loaded as "hot" as the older "Vaquero" which was built on the Blackhawk frame. Last edited by FAL'er; July 30, 2019 at 11:00 PM.

July 30, 2019, 11:35 PM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	I doubt there is any sensible limit to .357 in the flattop or NV, not like .45 where cylinder wall thickness matters. Consider original S&W Magnum loads and the Great Western .357 Atomic.