Ruger (New) Vaquero frame size question

[Virginian]

Are the frames on the new Vaqueros and 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawks smaller than the old Vaquero/New Model Blackhawk frames? I measured one, and I know the 50th Anniversary 44 Magnum Blackhawk frame is not different. I am not talking Grip Frames here, but cylinder frames.
I know the new Vaquero grip frames are more SAA sized like the old XR3 (but with the locks they are all different on the inside now, and grips won't interchange without some work). Has anyone measured one versus the other with a caliper? In this day and age I can't believe Ruger actually introduced a smaller cylinder frame, even though they didn't do it in 44 Magnum, especially when they know there are a ton of hot rod 45 Long Colt loads floating around, and a lot of them say roughly "OK in Rugers only".

 

[foghornl]

The "NEW" Vaquero and 50th Year .357 Blackhawk frames are a smidge smaller than the original Vaquero/Blackhawk frames. Somewhere around here I have a couple of pix that show the cylinder size difference...

ahh here we are...The Glossy Stainless is my 2003 vintage "OLD" Vaquero .357, blue is 50th Year Blackhawk .357. Ammo in the cylinders is the same PMC 158-Gr Soft-Point from the same box (Box holding up the revolvers)

Note how much of the chamber there is beyond the end of the bullet in the Vaquero cylinder vs. the 50th Year Blackhawk cylinder. Something else I noted, while looking at the pix...not sure what it is called, but the center of the cylinder where the base pin goes through is also longer on the "OLD" Vaquero cylinder.

 

[MrAcheson]

Yes the New Vaquero doesn't just have a smaller grip frame, it also has a smaller cylinder and cylinder frame. While they're still a little beefier than a Colt SAA, they're not big or strong enough for Ruger Only loads. If you want cylinder measurements with pictures go to Jeff Quinn's review at Gunblast.

You aren't the first guy to remark that someone very well may blow themselves up because of this.

 

[JNewell]

I was convinced that someone would, but I don't recall reading any reports of that happening, so either (1) I missed 'em! or (2) people are smarter than I think (ha!, maybe luckier?) or (3) these things are stronger than we're giving them credit for.

 

[Virginian]

Thanks MrAcheson. I go there all the time and missed exactly what I was looking for. Typical lately.

 

[Joe Gunns]

I was convinced that someone would, but I don't recall reading any reports of that happening, so either (1) I missed 'em! or (2) people are smarter than I think (ha!, maybe luckier?) or (3) these things are stronger than we're giving them credit for.

Still relatively early days with most being sold in shops. May happen yet once the "newness" is worn off and the new vaqs start circulating in the used market.

 

[JNewell]

You might be right, but those were introduced in 2005, so you'd think there'd been enough opportunity???

The really odd thing is that of ALL gun manufacturers, you'd think Ruger would be the LAST to take that kind of chance. After all, they'd been dogged by liability lawsuits over the traditional single action revolvers for years, and the company is (now) actuallly run by a lawyer (who spent 20 years or so defending Ruger against those lawsuits).

 

[rcmodel]

Well, they are doing a lot of strange things lately since Bills death.

Like copying Kel-Tec P3AT's and selling 20 round Mini mags again.

rcmodel

 

[dagger dog]

There was so much influence from CAS SASS that Ruger finally bowed, down to their customers and gave them what they were calling for, a more resonable sized revolver similar in size and feel to the SAA Colt.

If Ruger wouldn't give the customer what he wanted there were plenty out there that woul USA, Taylor and thier manufacturers, Beretta Uberti, Tarus and about 10 others that I can't think of right know.

If smaller revolvers are what sells why not make 'em?

The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

 

[RichardB]

"I was convinced that someone would, but I don't recall reading any reports of that happening, so either (1) I missed 'em! or (2) people are smarter than I think (ha!, maybe luckier?) or (3) these things are stronger than we're giving them credit for."

Possibly all 3, but I suspect /hope the kind of folks who would load or shoot Ruger Only loads are aware and use the larger framed 45.

 

[Master Blaster]

The New Vaquero .45 colt I have is a 5.5 inch XR grip framed gun and it is smaller in every frame and cylinder dimension than my Blackhawk convertable in .45. The XR gripframe is steel not aluminium and even though its smaller its heavier than my blackhawk.

I really like how it feels in my hand.
I wanted mother of pearl grips for it, and waited 3 months for Hogue to make me a set in pearlite. Blackhawk and non XR3 vaquero grips will not work the XR3 is different in every dimension. I tried buying a set of colt grips (2nds)and a set of super blackhawk grips and I couldnt fit either to the gun, due to lack of enough material in key places.