Ruger New Vaquero: Same frame for both .44mag and .45 Colt?

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Snowdog

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I am pondering the purchase of a Ruger (new) Vaquero in .45 Colt. The only reason I haven't yet is what I occasionally read about the New Vaquero's frame, being "small" and incapable of handling any higher-pressure .45 Colt loads.

Not that I plan to load up any magnum loads for it but I've found the New Vaquero is also offered in .44 Magum that, IIRC, operates at around twice the pressure. How is the frame too fragile for +P .45 Colt loads yet fine for the much hotter .44 Magnum?
I then read a post from 2016 stating the .44 Magnum New Vaquero uses the "old" Vaquero's beefier frame.

So what's going on here? Is the frame on the New Vaquero in .45 Colt less stout than the same in .44 Magnum?
 
Thanks for the replies.

The article does seem to echo what I've read so far of the .44 magnum Vaqueros. However, I wonder if the frame is the same as the latest model of Vaquero in .45 Colt or if the frame itself is indeed different.

Mike, I agree that the extra meat afforded by the smaller .44 charge holes would invariably increase strength to a degree. I simply wonder though if they chose to have two different frames depending on the chambering or if the newer "new" Vaqueros all have this old-style frame now. From the pictures, the frames look identical between the .44 magnum and .45 Colt though there's a 2oz difference according to their website's spec sheets (which could again be due to the smaller .44 charge holes/chambers).

I plan on purchasing the .45 Colt version but I'm confused as to the difference between the two.
 
I had 2 New Vaqueros and I have an original in .45 Colt. The difference between the new and original led me to never want to try hot .45 loads in the New Vaquero. Not enough metal for my liking. See if you can find an original Vaquero and look at the differences. You can find original Vaqueros for sale on various sites.
 
There are two Vaquero frame sizes, mid and large. The 44mag is made on the large frame. The 45 Colt has been made on both. The 45 Colt on the large frame will tolerate heavy loads. The mid frame will not tolerate +P or Ruger only loads.
 
I had an old Model Vaquero and it was a tank. It had the same frame and cylinder as the New Model Blackhawk

Aaug1Js.jpg

But, Ruger made the New Model Vaquero lighter and under no condition would I hot load one of those.
 
The original Vaquero .45Colt was built on the large frame. It was discontinued in 2005 in favor of the New Vaquero.

The New Vaquero .45Colt is only built on the mid-frame.

The .44Mag marked "New Vaquero" is actually the original large frame.

The .44Spl marked "Vaquero" is actually the mid-frame.

Ruger has done some stupid things with their nomenclature.
 
I think the most versatile SA is the BH .45 Convertible.
https://ruger.com/products/vaqueroStainless/specSheets/10598.html
Overload .45 Colt or plink with .45 ACP econoball.

I've got one of those, a large frame Bisley convertible 5.5"
index.php

Wanted one for a loooong time in this exact configuration. Couldn't get my wallet out fast enough when Ruger turned out a limited run recently.
 
There are two Vaquero frame sizes, mid and large. The 44mag is made on the large frame. The 45 Colt has been made on both.

How is one to know which is which? If the description doesn't specify if the revolver being sold has a mid-size or large frame, is there something a person can look for to distinguish which frame a Vaquero has (a screw here, beefed up frame there)?
 
It literally has the words "New Vaquero" engraved on the left-side frame

Here's my confusion, the .44mag also has "New Vaquero" engraved on the the (large) frame.

vaqueros16np_04.jpg

I'll contact Ruger and see if they can provide a product number for the large-frame .45 Colt. It appears that's the only way to be sure as I can't find any visual aspect that would help distinguish between the mid and large frame New Vaquero in .45 Colt.
 
If you can physically handle the gun the original vaquero cylinder will be larger. I don't remember the size difference but it was given here sometime back.
 
How is one to know which is which? If the description doesn't specify if the revolver being sold has a mid-size or large frame, is there something a person can look for to distinguish which frame a Vaquero has (a screw here, beefed up frame there)?

On the large frame guns the base pin will not completely come out of the gun because it will hit the ejector button, to completely remove the pin you have to remove the ejector housing.
On the mid frame guns the base pin is short enough that it can be totally removed without removing the ejector housing. If you are not sure this is a easy way to tell the difference.
 
They haven't made a .45 Vaquero in 14yrs. If it's marked "New Vaquero" and it's a .45, it's guaranteed to be a mid-frame.
 
They haven't made a .45 Vaquero in 14yrs. If it's marked "New Vaquero" and it's a .45, it's guaranteed to be a mid-frame

That's starting to become evident it seems.
 
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CraigC’s post said it all.

The only explanation I’ve read for Ruger marking this large frame .44 Magnum birdshead revolver a “New Vaquero” is that it features the “reverse indexing pawl” that Ruger introduced with the (medium framed) New Vaquero. It causes the chambers to align with the loading gate.

If you picked up one of these revolvers you would know whether it had a large cylinder/ frame. It’s considerably bulkier and heavier.
 
How is one to know which is which? If the description doesn't specify if the revolver being sold has a mid-size or large frame, is there something a person can look for to distinguish which frame a Vaquero has (a screw here, beefed up frame there)?

The new, medium frame 45 Colt Vaquero will have a serial number with a two digit prefix i.e. "XX-XXXXX". The older, large frame 45 colt Vaquero will have a serial number with a three digit prefix i.e. "XXX-XXXXX". I have been told this is the case "most of the time". This is true for .357s as well. ALL .44 mags are large frame.

The "New Vaquero" engraving is used on both large and medium framed revolvers.
 
You guys are a wealth of knowledge, which is why I've been coming here for answers since 2002. I decided I'd go with the .45LC after asking myself if I really planned on firing bruisers out of a revolver with a 3.75" barrel and birdheads grip. I think the hottest stuff I would ever fire out of this would be factory JHP ammunition (Winchester Silvertip perhaps), with the majority being mild powder-coated cast reloads (I plan on loading for it, just need the dies).

I've purchased mine from Bud's a few minutes ago. I originally intended to buy both but the question I asked myself (above) lead me away from that idea.

However, I now have a hankering for a Super Blackhawk in .44mag and will open yet another question concerning that.

Thanks again folks!
 
You guys are a wealth of knowledge, which is why I've been coming here for answers since 2002. I decided I'd go with the .45LC after asking myself if I really planned on firing bruises out of a revolver with a 3.75" barrel and birdsheads grip.
IMO good thinking. Not for nothin, a 250gr bullet traveling @800 fps is strong medicine for anything ailing you. Dead critter is a dead critter and it ain't no deader @900 fps. lol
 
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