Ruger Single Action-which one?

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riddleofsteel

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I will be buying a new or used Ruger single action in either the Vaquero or the Blawkhawk format very soon. It will be in a barrel length to make it easy to carry out in the woods, fishing and on horseback, i.e 5.5" or under. I am leaning toward .45 Colt or .44 Mag/.44 Special as I have dies, cases, bullets and load experience for both. Everything else is up in the air. Lets hear some good pros and cons.

1. .44 vs. .45
2. Vaquero vs. Blackhawk
3. stainless vs. color case hardened frame and blue
4. barrel lengths ect.

Thanks
 
wooo I'm glad you asked, it's been a slow night at work.

Let's see...

.44 vs. .45: I asked the same question when I was shopping for my Ruger single action and I ended up with the .44 because that's what was in gun shops case. If you reload these are nearly identical, with the .45 edgeing out the .44 just a bit in potential power. Reloading the .44 will be a bit cheaper and there is a better selection of factory ammo.

Vaquero vs. Blackhawk: This one's tricky, I got the Vaquero. If I did it again I might get the blackhawk just for the ability to zero light and heavy loads, as it is now I just have to remember which kentucky windage to use, it's not bad.

Stainless vs. Color Case: This one's easy (unless you just really like the look of case coloring) I've heard of the blue revolvers having rust problems and the blue frames have alloy grip frames. I like the all steel and looks of the stainless.

Barrel length: probably the most subjective, I have a 7.5 inch and it handles just fine in my hands. I've also had a 5.5 and it was handier (though not enough to make me keep it). One thing to consider is that the .45 will lose less velocity than the .44 as the barrel gets shorter, so if you want a shorter barrel, but would like to maintain the most performance possible I'd go .45

Whatever you get I'd suggest a belt moutain base pin and also have a look at the stuff over at Power Custom I have the free spin pawl and half cock hammer.
 
I won't touch the .44 vs .45 part of your question. That's been covered too many times.

What the Blackhawk vs Vaquero question comes down to is sights.

Do you want larger, easier to see, adjustable sights that give you load flexibility?

~or~

Do you want smaller, harder to see, fixed sights that will restrict you to being sighted in for one load?


Since the rest of the guns are the same, I'd choose the Blackhawk.


Joe
 
.45 LC v. .44: I'm happy with my .45 LC Blackhawk...very accurate and fun to shoot. I don't enjoy shooting .44 Mag...too much fuss for my liking, though it's better for hunting, if you want to do that. You can always handload light loads for range work in either. Light loads are more accurate than the full power loads anyhow.

Vaquero v. Blackhawk: Main difference is that the Vaquero has fixed sights similar to the original Colt Frontiers and the Blackhawks have adjustable sights...nice if you shoot a variety of ammo. Plinking cans, it doesn't make much practical difference. The Vaquero closely resembles the Colt Peacemakers, while the Blackhawk is a more modern design, though still simiar.

Stainless v. other: My .45 LC Blackhawk is blued and my .357 Blackhawk is Stainless. Stainless requires less care, and I prefer it.

Barrel Length: 4-5/8" is light and handy, nice for fast-draw. I like longer barrels as I primarily range shoot...my .357 is 6" and my .45LC is 7-1/2".

One of my friends, a young Tennessee mountain woman, loves to wear her gunbelt with .45LC Blackhawk, blued and 4-5/8"...and she's darned good with it!!;)
 
First, Rugers are NOT color case hardened with bone charcoal. There is a cheap "ink" spray that simulates CCH. It is designed to wear rapidly and give an aged look to the revolver. Stainless steel isn't. There is polishing and upkeep required. It is far more durable and restorable though. I am looking at the Bisley Blackhawk Hunter in 45 LC and 5.5" barrel myself. I already have two Vaqueros in 44-40 and 5.5" tubes. I put Ajax faux ivory grips on mine. I agree that the Belt Mountain locking basepins are a good idea. Reaming the chambers and cutting 11 degree forcing cones is a far more important and urgent need than Power Custom parts.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

I had not really considered the fact that the SS versions have steel frames. I guess the color case hardened frames are steel as well. Is the other hardware on a stainless all steel? How about the color case hardened models?
I saw a 7.5" .45 Vaquero at the gun store today for around $400.00. It was no real deal so I kept looking. I have a 7.5" Blackhawk already and I like it but the extra barrel length seems a bit much sometimes. I have handled 5.5" Colts and Vaqueros before and they seem to balance real well. To be honest after looking at the prices on Gun-broker and the net it seems to be better deals on short barrel Blackhawks than the ever popular Vaqueros and that seems to be a plus.
How about the out of the box accuracy chamber/dimensions issues. My .45 Colt Blackhawk was a dog out of the box. Only a trip to Ruger set it right (jugged cylinders that split cases).
Do the .44's have a better track record?
 
Using a magnet to check it I find that everything save the extractor shroud on the Stainless Vaquero is steel. On the Blue revovler the extractor shroud and grip frame are aluminium.

It's my understanding that the Ruger tight throat issues are exclusive to the .45. I don't have the equipment ot judge my .44 acurately, but they look good on my vernier caliper and they don't spit lead or anything. THe only problem I have with mine is a bit of back and forth shake. It's dismaying that every revolver I picked up at the store that day had as much or worse, I've been meaning to get some of those end shake shims for it.
 
I can only tell you from my personal experience. I have had both models in various barrel lengths. For woods carry, horseback carry, atv, etc. the 4 5/8" barrel is hard to beat. The 5.5" would also be acceptable. As for the finish, I have found the Stainless to be almost trouble free. My favorite woods carry gun is a 4 5/8 inch Stainless .357 Blackhawk with Ajax faux-ivory grips. I can put it on my hip and forget about it until needed. It has never let me down.
As to the Blackhawk/Vaquero decision...I have found the adjustable sights on the Blackhawk to be an important feature for woods bumming. It gives me a lot more variety in the ammo selection. Just my .02.
 
I just bought a Bisley Vaquero, and I have to admit I'm a newbie with SA guns.

What's the benefit of the belt moutain base pin? Why is it preferrable to the factory one?

-Robert
 
Four neat things about the Belt Mountain pin:

1) It's "tighter" - cylinder play is often reduced, accuracy sometimes sees a boost.

2) Because it's tighter, the odds of the pin "jumping out" under recoil is lower even without use of the set-screw or other tweaks (see below).

3) It's available in different head styles include "fake Colt", original Ruger, short-head "Sheriff's model" (increases ejector rod stroke a bit, neat!) and the ornate "Number Five" type.

4) It's got a set-screw so you can tighten it against the barrel and make SURE that puppy won't jump out under big recoil.

BUT, there can be a gotcha on number 4 above: if the frame is particularly sloppy and you overtighten the set screw, it can "flex" the base pin in such a way that cylinder alignment is no longer "quite right". This doesn't happen often, but you have to check for it post-installation. It will show up in the cylinder not spinning freely, and then when you check the barrel/cylinder gap it won't be "parallel". If you see any of that, back off the set screw, see if that fixes it.

Hence, there's a school of thought that says the set-screw isn't a good idea. Instead, you go get a stronger spring for the cross-pin retaining latch (Wolff or Brownell's, and often a standard item with "spring kits") and solve the "pin jumps out under heavy recoil" problem that way, if the gun is a mostly-stock 44Mag, 45LC or other heavy kicker.

If you've got a customized five-shot in 454 or other wild-child caliber, then the frame will be fully inspected by Linebaugh, Stoh, Bowen, etc. and in that case with THAT kind of recoil, a set-screw is absolutely vital.
 
3) It's available in different head styles include "fake Colt", original Ruger, short-head "Sheriff's model" (increases ejector rod stroke a bit, neat!) and the ornate "Number Five" type.
Click to expand...

Which is the best? Any pictures available online of the options?

-Robert
 
Of the alloy grip framed Blackhawks vs the all steel; I got an all steel- SS, rather than Blue because of the weatherng factor. I noticed the Blue had a balance I liked a lot more. If I did it over, I'd probaby go Blue.

munk
 
I guess I am coming around full circle.
I already have a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk 7.5" with Eagle Sambar stag grips that most of you have seen pics of. It is, after a painful warranty return, the most accurate and powerful handgun I own. It will not only throw a hard cast SWC fast enough to bring down a large bear but will also shoot light "pumpkin roller" loads that are still accurate and FUN to shoot. I carry it in a cross draw holster in the woods when open carry is not a problem.
I recently came up with another set of long stored Eagle Sambar stag grips that fit a Blackhawk/Vaquero frame. My idea was another big bore Ruger with a shorter barrel to make horseback, canoe, four wheeler riding a little more comfortable. In looking around I have come up with a couple of new ideas.
I have found that blued 6.5" .357 Mag Blackhawks are dirt cheap. They are around for $200.00 in excellent shape. Considering the cheap .38 Special practice ammo out there and the fact that my son shoots a S&W Model 10 all the time the .357/.38 Special Blackhawk looks better all the time.

HUMMMMM
;)
 
Unless one is going to partake in cowboy action shooting, I can't figure why a person would choose a Vaquero over a Blackhawk. I would much rather have the adjustable sights. Steel frame? Never heard of a Blackhawk that wasn't sturdy enough with the standard alloy frame. I love my convertible .45 Blackhawk. It can handle some very stout .45 Colt loads, and I can plink with .45ACP when I feel like it. It's extremely accurate, and recoil is pretty mild.
Before you trash me, I'm not criticizing any of you who like the nostalgia of the Vaquero, I'm just stating what my preference is.;)
 
For pure defensive point shooting, a Vaquero would not snag on clothing when drawn from a coat pocket or belt. Someone might say- "Who would carry a concealed single action?" I did.

I believe I was enamored of 'steel' when I choose my last Blackhawks. I still think the alloy grip frame gives the gun a better balance- at least in the shorter barrle lengths I tried one day in the gun shop.



munk
 
Lots of good info here already posted.

My personal preference is the 45LC. And like another poster said if you're not going to do Cowboy Action Shooting the Blackhawk is the way to go.

That said be aware that Ruger makes the 45LC cylinder throats on the blackhawk guns undersized - habitually. I own two of 'em. On both the cylinder throats run .4502 to .4507. I've called Ruger and they say the cylinder throats are in spec. :rolleyes:

What this means is that a .452 bullet is swaged down to .4502 to .4507 and then goes out a .451 barrel. Guess what? This ruins accuracy and produces severe cylinder throat leading and forcing cone leading even with the lightest of loads. With heavy loads I can only fire about 25 or so rounds before the leading on the cylinder face gets so bad that the cylinders will no longer rotate. :cuss:

One can have the cylinder throats reamed out to the correct size of .4525 for about $50 or so but one shouldn't have to do that.

For the life of me I just don't understand why Ruger continues to make undersized cylinder throats on the Blackhawk line of guns chambered for .45 LC. :confused:
 
Well I did it. I was by my favorite gun shop discussing the topic here and they quoted me a nice price on a 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt/.45 ACP. I couldn't stand it so guess what I got coming home next Tuesday when my permit comes in?
All things considered I think it will be what I was shooting for. (Pun intended)
Shorter barrel length for easier holster carry and a draw from vehicle and horseback, adjustable sights and it's a butt strong Ruger. I am looking forward to shooting the new toy and appreciate all the advice given so freely here. I will be checking this .45 Colt chambers especially after my last nightmare experience with a Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk.

Wishing and praying for a good one this time.:D

Riddle of Steel
 
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