I have owned many Blackhawks and "Old" model Vaqueros. I am really wanting a New Model Vaquero in 357. I know it is a smaller frame, but should I expect it to last generations and 1000s of rounds, like I would the other Ruger SA? I would not abuse it, but I woould like it to have at least close to the same life span as the others.
New Vaquero vs Blackhawk (strength)
- Thread starter TennJed
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ljnowell
Member
It will last every bit as long, since its a 357, there are no Ruger only loads. It can take any factory or reload ammo that is within SAAMI spec.
BullRunBear
Member
This is a guess on my part but I would think the new version Vaquero would hold up like most Rugers. Their popularity with CAS points that way. For those who don't know, the newer Vaquero isn't as strong as the Blackhawk and shouldn't be used for those "Blackhawk only" loads. Also, I've never heard any complaints about Vaquero reliability beyond the occasional lemon that can happen with any device.
Jeff
Jeff
ljnowell
Member
Those are only a concern in a 45 colt vaquero. There are no Ruger only loads in 357 mag.
bannockburn
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TennJed
I have several "older" model Rugers, including a Vaquero in .45LC and a 3 screw Blackhawk in .357. I have no doubt they will last for many generations to come. I also have a new Blackhawk in .44 Special and believe the same thing about it; that with proper care and maintenance, it will last for an extremely long time as well.
Recently I have been toying with the idea of picking up a new Vaquero in .357. There's one at the LGS (with the barrel length I want-4 5/8"), but I'm not crazy about the asking price ($600+), so I think I will wait and see what happens if it sits there for awhile.
I have several "older" model Rugers, including a Vaquero in .45LC and a 3 screw Blackhawk in .357. I have no doubt they will last for many generations to come. I also have a new Blackhawk in .44 Special and believe the same thing about it; that with proper care and maintenance, it will last for an extremely long time as well.
Recently I have been toying with the idea of picking up a new Vaquero in .357. There's one at the LGS (with the barrel length I want-4 5/8"), but I'm not crazy about the asking price ($600+), so I think I will wait and see what happens if it sits there for awhile.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The New Vaquero is really a much better platform for the .357 cartridge. You simply cannot get enough slow burning powder in the .357 case to hurt one.
BCRider
Member
If you're not after a regular and frequent "BIG BANG!" experience then I suspect you'd be happy shooting mostly with ammo which is somewhat less strong than full power .357Mag in any event. And with that sort of ammo there's certainly no doubt that you'll be handing down a fully servicable gun to someone down the road.
We also get back into the whole fixed sights issue again. Namely that it's only possible to regulate the sights with a file to the front blade to suit one or two specific load strengths so that the POA matches the POI.
We also get back into the whole fixed sights issue again. Namely that it's only possible to regulate the sights with a file to the front blade to suit one or two specific load strengths so that the POA matches the POI.
BullRunBear
Member
ljnowell,
Ooops! Thanks for the correction. My Vaquero is a 45 and I forgot "Ruger only" doesn't apply to 357s. Good catch.
Jeff
Ooops! Thanks for the correction. My Vaquero is a 45 and I forgot "Ruger only" doesn't apply to 357s. Good catch.
Jeff
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I bought 2 New Vaqueros in .357 Magnum and they are solid revolvers that will take all the Magnum loads you want to feed them.
The New Vaqueros are the two on the bottom. I couldn't decide which i liked better, the Color Case or the Stainless so I bought both!
The New Vaqueros are the two on the bottom. I couldn't decide which i liked better, the Color Case or the Stainless so I bought both!
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Although the New Vaquero isn't quite up to the brute strength of the original Vaqueros and New Model Blackhawks, it's not exactly fragile. Remember the Elmer Keith developed his heavy .45 Colt and .44 Special loads with old Colt SAA revolvers. While I wouldn't advise burning tens of thousands of rounds of top-end .45 Colt "Ruger Only" loads...which Ruger never have the green light for...the occasional need-based excursion into the starting loads won't likely hurt one in the least. A 250-grain cast bullet at a grand or a little more with a relatively slow powder should be fine in a 5.5-inch gun, and doable on a limited basis in the 4.62 inch model. In .357 caliber, it's a non-issue.
As with any venture into the unknown, proceed with all due caution.
As with any venture into the unknown, proceed with all due caution.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Probably because the frame isn't strong enough but I can't be sure. But then again the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum both operate at the same pressures.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
It's not the frame, it's the Colt SAA-sized cylinder. They can be converted to a .44Mag, .45Colt (Ruger only), even a .50GI or .500S&W (cut to .44Spl length) but it requires a custom five-shot cylinder.
Ooh, .500 S&W (pretty sure that DOESN'T stand for Short & Wimpy) cut down to .44 Spl length gives me goose bumps.
I have a New Blackhawk in .44 Spl and fully plan on loading it with .44 mag pressure, .44 spl loads. J/K
I actually plan on loading it with 240-300 grain lead/lead alloy bullets running from 800-1,000 fps.
It's my backup/hunting pistol for deer/hogs, for those days that I don't feel like carrying the 7.5" Redhawk .44 Mag.
What I want next, is a Blackhawk .45 Colt/ACP convertible, and a Blackhawk .30 Carbine.
I have a New Blackhawk in .44 Spl and fully plan on loading it with .44 mag pressure, .44 spl loads. J/K
I actually plan on loading it with 240-300 grain lead/lead alloy bullets running from 800-1,000 fps.
It's my backup/hunting pistol for deer/hogs, for those days that I don't feel like carrying the 7.5" Redhawk .44 Mag.
What I want next, is a Blackhawk .45 Colt/ACP convertible, and a Blackhawk .30 Carbine.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
When the New Vaquero and 50th anniversary .357 flat-top came out, Hamilton Bowen started converting them to a five-shot .50GI. I asked David Clements about doing a .500S&W cut to Special length. I figured it would fit because its diameter and rim are much smaller than the .50Spl, which is based on the .500Linebaugh. Not only was it possible but he was already working on one. Few months later he reported that recoil was unmanageable even with mild loads but I'd still like to have one built some day. Although I have other custom projects I'd rather do first.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Shouldn't be too bad under 1000fps. 
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