Ruger New Model Vaquero v. New Model Blackhawk

[Balrog]

I am curious if other have noticed any difference between New Model Vaqueros and Blackhawks in terms of fit. I have one of each in 45 Colt.

Removing the cylinder and cylinder pin on my Vaquero and reinstallation is smooth as silk.

Removing the cylinder and cylinder pin on my Blackhawk requires a lot of jiggling and manipulation to get them out, and getting them back in requires even more. The cartridge extractor plunger on the Blackhawk is also much rougher in comparison than it is on the Vaquero.

Another thing I have noticed is that the cylinder pin easily comes out of the Vaquero, but on the Blackhawk I can't get it out... it hits the back of the cartridge extractor plunger... seems like the pin is just too long in the Blackhawk and makes me wonder if its out of spec or maybe its the pin for a 44 Mag not a 45 Colt.

In any case, I am very happy with the Vaquero, not so much with the Blackhawk. I would love to hear other people's experience with these two.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have a New Vaquero and I really don’t care for them. This one is my third. I needed a CAS gun and it was a good deal so I bought it. I have removed that original grip frame and installed a Vaquero/Blackhawk frame. It’s not fully finished yet but it will be one day.

I do not own a Blackhawk but I am pretty sure the BH utilizes the older larger frame and the base pin is longer. I have an original Vaquero in .45 with a 7.5” barrel and the base pin cannot be removed with out removing the ejector housing. I actually prefer the original Vaqueros.
I do not own a Blackhawk. Wish I did.

 

[Bazoo]

The new vaquero is the medium frame and would explain why the base pin will come out of the frame on that model, but won’t on the Blackhawk.

I can’t offer as to the fit and finish.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have an original Vaquero in .45 Colt, a New Model Blackhawk in .41 Magnum and a New Model Blackhawk Flattop in .44 Special.



The .45 and .44 are the larger frame guns, neither cylinder pin will pop out. They both hit the ejector rod button just before the cylinder pin reaches the end.



The smaller framed .44 has a smaller diameter and shorter length pin. This does pop out before it reaches the ejector rod button so it comes out with the cylinder.



The New Vaquero is on the same smaller frame as the New Flattop, so it has the same shorter cylinder pin.

Stay safe.

 

[Pat Riot]

The New Vaquero is on the same smaller frame as the New Flattop, so it has the same shorter cylinder pin.

Thank you. I wasn’t aware the flat top had the same size frame as the New Vaquero.

Side note: It appears that the folks at Ruger that seem to love adding confusion to their single action revolver lines now made another break through. The “New” Vaquero is just called “Vaquero”. How’s that for brilliance?
And…the .44 Magnum “Vaquero” is on the older larger frame, but the other “Vaqueros” are on the smaller.
I had heard this but wasn’t sure. If I am rehashing old news, I apologize.

 

[Tallball]

I don't own a Vaquero, though I'd be happy to have one.

The fit and finish on my Blackhawks and Super Blackhawk are excellent.

The cylinder pin is easy once you get the hang of it.

 

[johnjohn]

I don't own a Vaquero but do own a Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk both bought new. I also have a Single Six bought used, never had any trouble with the cylinder pin of any of them.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I'm pretty sure it was a 'design feature' with the New Model Blackhawks, starting some time in the 1970s, that the front of the cylinder pin was left long enough that it could not be removed from the frame without removing the ejector mechanism.

When the 'original model' Vaqueros came out around 1993 they were built on the same size frame as the New Model Blackhawks, and the cylinder pin on these revolvers could not be removed either without removing the ejector mechanism.

When the New Vaquero came out in 2005, one of the design changes, in addition to being built on a smaller frame, was the front of the cylinder rod was shortened. So if you were not careful, and the cylinder pin latch allowed the cylinder pin to jump forward in recoil the pin could jump out of the revolver and get lost in the grass, just like a Colt.

Trust me on this.

How difficult it is to pull the cylinder pin forward will vary with specific guns.

 

[Dibbs]

My Blackhawk has really tight tolerances at the forcing cone. That's one of the reasons I prefer it over DAs. The Vaquero is a different caliber, but a much lighter gun.

 

[Seedy Character]

Having several BH, SBH, SS and Vaquero, in both Old Model and New Model, most every caliber; I much prefer the Blackhawk and large frame.

Fit and finish is typical Ruger, outstanding.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Judging by some of the posts Ruger hasn't made it easy to remove the cylinder. I'm torn between buying a Ruger or a S&W. They have one screw and the cylinder can be removed. Always a simple operation although the screw can be lost. I had a BH many years ago and thinking about buying another one, except there aren't any new 44 specials to be found for a MSRP.

 

[Hikingman]

Judging by some of the posts Ruger hasn't made it easy to remove the cylinder. I'm torn between buying a Ruger or a S&W. They have one screw and the cylinder can be removed. Always a simple operation although the screw can be lost. I had a BH many years ago and thinking about buying another one, except there aren't any new 44 specials to be found for a MSRP.

Big brothers to Single Six models, although the Single Six cylinder can be removed in five or six seconds.

 

[Riomouse911]

I just slide the retaining pin over, pull the pins forward, open the gate and the cylinders drop right out of all my Ruger SA’s.

Putting them back in may take a couple of seconds of wiggling to line things up, but it’s not tough to do at all.

Stay safe.

 

[Armybrat]

Fit & finish on my NV .357 are top notch.
And the warning “billboard” is on the bottom of the barrel.

 

[Balrog]

I am gonna send this Blackhawk back for Ruger to look at. The cylinder pin is just too hard to get back in, and then doesn't seat properly with the retaining pin at the front of the frame. When I dry fire the gun, the cylinder pin then pops forward because it doesn't lock in place. If I push super hard, it will sometimes lock in place, but then it takes pliers to pull it back out.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I am gonna send this Blackhawk back for Ruger to look at. The cylinder pin is just too hard to get back in, and then doesn't seat properly with the retaining pin at the front of the frame. When I dry fire the gun, the cylinder pin then pops forward because it doesn't lock in place. If I push super hard, it will sometimes lock in place, but then it takes pliers to pull it back out.

Howdy

Be sure your cylinder pin does not have a flange around it like this. Years ago Ruger made cylinder pins like this. They had to be lined up just right with the barrel or they would jam when reinserted into the frame.






The pin should be easy to remove without tools, and it should reinsert easily. Sometimes the cylinder needs to be wiggled a little bit to line it up with the frame, but the same is true with a Colt. The spring loaded latch should securely hold the cylinder pin in place. If it doesn't it can be adjusted.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

And the warning “billboard” is on the bottom of the barrel.

The 'billboard' was moved to the bottom of the barrel a long time ago.

 

[Gordon]

Just a question related to OP . Does anyone know if the Mainspring on an New Model Blackhawk will interchange with a New Vaquero one ? I have a New Vaquero that was made a little too full race for SASS and it only likes to fire cowboy loaded .38s and occasionally light strikes .357 magnums. I am getting ready to put a Wilson Combat spring kit in that 1986 like new .45 New Model Black Hawk I just bought that has a rather hard trigger and want to put the original mainspring I am taking out of it in the New Vaquero . I know th New Vaquero has a different spring base holder , Thanks for your knowledge

 

[RealGun]

I don't own a Vaquero, though I'd be happy to have one.

The fit and finish on my Blackhawks and Super Blackhawk are excellent.

The cylinder pin is easy once you get the hang of it.

You might miss adjustable sights on the NM Vaquero.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Ruger doesn't show any 44 Specials on their website. They must have made a short run of those and discontinued the chambering. 44 Mag makes more sense but I can't see buying one as I would never load 44 Mag. At least there are a few 44 Specials available used.

 

[RealGun]

Ruger doesn't show any 44 Specials on their website. They must have made a short run of those and discontinued the chambering. 44 Mag makes more sense but I can't see buying one as I would never load 44 Mag. At least there are a few 44 Specials available used.

44 Special is on a medium frame, unlike 44 Magnum. I think that is an important distinction, and I have both.

 

[RealGun]

Ruger doesn't show any 44 Specials on their website. They must have made a short run of those and discontinued the chambering. 44 Mag makes more sense but I can't see buying one as I would never load 44 Mag. At least there are a few 44 Specials available used.

I found 44 Special under Blackhawk Bisley, exclusive for Lipsey's. I also saw a GP100 double action, again exclusive to Lipsey's.

 

[Seedy Character]

You might miss adjustable sights on the NM Vaquero.

^^^^^^

I HAD 3 Vaquero. None shot to PoA. Shot 3"-4" high or low AND left or right. Could have been slowly corrected, but they Blackhawk bigger frame AND adjustable sights were much preferred.
Sold / traded 2 and replaced with Blackhawks.
Soon as I can find a Blackhawk replacement, the last Vaquero is history.

Glad they build both. Different strokes ....

 

[Gordon]

I have one New model Vaquero in .357 and it is full raced for cowboy games . The sights were corrected by the pistolsmith who built it but are only sighted in for .38 Cowboy loads if 150 grain bullet at 800 Fps out of it's 4 5/8" barrel. My serious shooting SA Rugers all have adjustable sights including the 3 screw .357 old model which along with the 50 year Blackhawk .357 have the same medium frame. . The larger calibers and the .30 Carbine are all the full size frame from the early Model .44 Mag Flattop thru the .44magnum Bisely .
I thought the New Vaquero would allow me into SASS competition classes for it's fixed sights, but now a days I am not so sure there is that distinction as I have not been competing for two years ! Anyway I like adjustable sights as I reload and enjoy working up a load. I want to be on target and not just good enough for cowboy silhouettes

 

[CraigC]

The .44Spl New Vaqueros were a distributor special, if I remember right. Too bad they weren't made a regular production model. It's really the perfect cartridge for a sixgun that size/strength.