|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
November 12, 2012, 12:08 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2011
Posts: 256
|
Went to gun show, something followed me home ;)
So my wife tells me Friday there's a gun show this weekend where we live and wanted to know if I wanted to go or not. I told her no, that I was done with them for awhile. She said ok and that was that. Then Sunday rolls around and we're out driving around and she asks me: "You sure you don't want to go?" So I thought ah why not? I have a few items still on my gun show list I haven't been able to find yet, parts and reloading supplies, nothing big.
So I'm walking around, nothing's catching my eye. Then I see a guy selling a matching set of beat up blued Ruger Vaquero's. I thought to myself, I have been thinking about getting a Ruger to replace my 1st gen Colt SAA and I remember my fater-in-law knows more about them then me. So I give him a call to see what he thinks. As we're talking, he tells me: "just look for a used SS 5.5", wouldn't you know it, the second he tells me that, I see a SS New Vaquero sitting on the end of the table, right in front of me. It seemed like fate so I asked my wife as a formality, cuz at this point I was pretty much sold. I got the green light and $525 latter I am the proud owner of a "like new" 2009 SS Ruger New Vaquero chambered in 45 Colt. Don't know if was a good deal or not but it was what I wanted and new ones around me range about $650 - $700. So all in all I think I did ok. This is my first Ruger, is there anything I should know? Also, I've heard there's a difference in frame strength between the "old" Vaquero and the "new" vaquero. I went with the "new" because I wanted as close to my Colt as I could get and I plan on using the same loads I had been using with my Colt 1st gen, so I don't think the smaller frame will be an issue for me. I don't shoot +p ammo so I should be fine. Any advice/tips from Ruger owners would be greatly appreciated. |
November 12, 2012, 03:08 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 5, 2009
Posts: 274
|
Your new model vaquero is safe with any SAAMI spec load. Many people who handload will tell you that they are actually safe to 45acp levels, which is higher than 45 colt. I believe this to be true, myself, and see no reason to suspect it isnt. The gun is offered in a convertible so the frame isnt any issue, they are both 45 holes in the cylinder, so it shouldnt be an issue.
With that said, if it were me, stick to the loads you were shooting in your colt and be happy. If you want to hotrod get an Old model vaquero or a blackhawk. |
November 12, 2012, 04:01 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 12, 2002
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 5,312
|
Here's a link to some more information:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=vaquero And IMhO you did good...I mean a Ruger single action .45 Colt? What's not to like? I think the only thing you could have done better would have been to buy the two Vaquero pistols that originally caught your eye and give them a good home too. I just have an irrational urge to buy single action revolvers in pairs. But I realize you have to stop somewhere. And compliments to your wife! Last edited by DaleA; November 12, 2012 at 04:10 PM. Reason: add 'you did good' |
November 12, 2012, 05:57 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 20, 2008
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 2,863
|
Quote:
__________________
Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west |
|
November 12, 2012, 06:51 PM | #5 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: February 12, 2009
Location: Butte, MT
Posts: 2,619
|
Quote:
Hope that helps! Here is an PDF of an article written by Brian Pearce that explains more about Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 loads (before the convertibles were released by Lipseys) : http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...246partial.pdf Quote:
Oh yeah, there is one thing. After shooting for a while and you just can't seem to get good groups and it may be leading.... Check the cylinder throats. Ruger is notorious for under sized throats. They should be .452 . In my original Vaquero, my groups went from 6" to 3" after I reamed them out. The New Vaqueros are said to be better so you might not need it. Just a heads up!
__________________
A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king. Last edited by rclark; November 12, 2012 at 07:11 PM. |
||
November 12, 2012, 07:30 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 20, 2008
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 2,863
|
So in other words, ljnowell was referring to 45 colt (sub 45 acp pressure loads) being safe and then he was saying that perhaps, the gun could handle 45 acp pressure? I can understand that, but by the way he wrote it, I took it mean that he is inferring a 45 acp to be more powerful than 45 colt, which we know is not the case, unless you dumb down 45 colt a ways. Thanks for the explanation.
__________________
Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west |
November 12, 2012, 10:14 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2011
Posts: 256
|
Quote:
|
|
November 13, 2012, 05:58 PM | #8 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: January 5, 2009
Posts: 274
|
Quote:
Load up 44mag level 45 colt loads and shoot them in a Colt SAA, let me know how that works out for you. The New Model Vaquero is NOT BUILT to handle those loads. It is, however, built to handle 45 acp loads which are warmer than SAAMI spec'd 45 colt by a good margin. Quote:
|
||
November 13, 2012, 06:06 PM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
|
Quote:
Jim |
|
November 14, 2012, 06:43 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2011
Posts: 256
|
Finally got around to taking some pics. Don't be too mean, they didn't turn out as good as I had hoped.
First: Ruger New Vaquero Second: Ruger New Vaquero and Colt SAA After comparing them side-by-side, I couldn't be happier. While there are quite a few differences between the two, the Ruger is really nice Colt clone. Almost forgot the most important thing, it's just as much fun to shot as the Colt. lol |
|
|