Ruger Vaquero sights for CAS: Blue VS Stainless?

[BluRidgDav]

Looking to get a pair of Ruger Vaqueros to use in CAS. I had planned to go with stainless guns, but now I'm not sure. Considering that alot of CAS matches are out in the sunshine, and the Vaqueros are finished "Gloss Stainless" (to replicate nickel), is anybody having trouble seeing the relatively small fixed sights on their SS guns?

Thanx, Dave.

PS - I've also noticed that Ruger's website shows that SS Vaqueros weigh about 1 ounce LESS than Blued models (same caliber & barrel length, of course)! Since stainless steel is more dense than carbon steel, SS guns should weigh more? Does Ruger use aluminum ejector housings on the SS guns?

 

[Josey]

Ruger is weird in their construction and weight. The blued models use alloy gripframes and aluminum ejectors. They should weigh less. The SS Rugers actually use SS gripframes and polished aluminum ejectors. I don't understand it either. Some CAS shooters have had their SS Rugers bead blasted to resemble satin or unpolished hard chrome finishes. SASS legal. The thing to watch out for is your class. Fixed sight Ruger Vaqueros will be Traditional class. Adjustable sighted models will put you in Modern class. You can also use fixed sight RVs in approved calibers for Classic Cowboy class. Drop over to The Frontier Spot and visit. You might need some leather too. www.sanpedrosaddlery.com

 

[Grayrock]

Is the Vaquero rear sight a shallow semicircular groove along the top? Could it be ground out to a square profile? Would that offer any advantage? Would that be SASS legal?

 

[Josey]

You may alter the profile. The adjustment for high POI is to file down the front sight to adjust. The rear sight trough may NOT be altered in any form but, the actual sight may be altered to a square profile in the rear sight. You may even serrate the rear of the front sight to reduce glare. You cannot paint the front sight though.

 

[TallPine]

Fixed sight Ruger Vaqueros will be Traditional class. Adjustable sighted models will put you in Modern class.

I don't believe that there is such a thing as an adjustable sight Vaquero.

That would be a Blackhawk.

(maybe that's what you meant)

 

[twowheel]

I shoot a pair of Ruger Bisley Vaquero's in CAS; have used them for
two seasons. I shoot .44 Mag cases but handload down, of course.
I love these two guns. Both are box stock stainless steel and both shoot exactely the same. I shoot in very high, open sky, sunshine and don't
have any problems with sights or sight picture. Remember, in CAS
the targets are big and close.

There will be many other issues and challenges to overcome before
thinking about mirage in CAS handgun shooting

Stainless Steel is easy to clean, easy to see what's clean and what's
not. I'm not concerned about wearing off any blue. With rosewood
grips, they look great.

Twowheel, slow draw.

 

[twowheel]

The Vaquero is a fixed sight gun. The Bisley is an adjustable sight gun.
The Bisley Vaquero (what I shoot) has fixed sights, if that's what you
want to call a groove down the backstrap.

Twowheel and rolling.

 

[Tom C.]

The blued Vaquero has a steel grip frame and ejector, so the weight should be the same as the stainless.
You can use emery cloth or something else to dull the surface of the front sight. I use a 72 line checkering file on the front sight to break up the sun. I prefer Blackhawks. I like to sight in with a screw driver and not a hammer and file.

 

[Smoke Rizen]

Sights for CAS

I shoot two Bisley Vaquero's in cowboy shoots. Both are stainless,4-5/8 and 5-5/8 barreled. I like the stainless because I shoot black powder,and they are easier to see the residue from the burnt powder. I don't think they're any easier to clean, but you can see when you're finished. I got the Bisley's because they fit my hand, and point better, for my money. They also came with a SS ejector rod tube, at that time the blued guns came w/ an aluminum tube, which the blueing rubbed off of when holstered often. The sights are easy to view on all the Vaquero frames. It's a BIG back groove and a wide front blade. Anyway if you're shooting CAS the targets are close enough, all you have to do is find the front sight and squeeze. S.R.

 

[Josey]

Depends. At some matches there are targets that move. There was one that had a swinging cutout tat you had to shoot around to hit the target. I have shot bonus targets at 25 and 50 yrds. There was one match that required smaller than normal snake cutouts to be hit in the head. A creative stage director could require and invent almost anything. One match had a through the outhouse pistol stage. Shooters had to fire through the backwall of the outhouse prop and hit a cutout in the head. Sights and POA/POI are important in CAS shooting.

 

[Smoke Rizen]

DDepends

I have shot a few of those myself,but in the spirit of Cowboy shooting the big targets that are easy for everyone to hit are more fun. That's why they call it action shooting (not much action in a miss). If all a new shooter does is miss, it gets pretty discouraging. For new,or experienced, shooters there's no such thing as a target to big or to close to miss. Some people just hit,or miss, them faster. As for shooting through an opening at a target, I hope the muzzle was through the opening. Yes, match directors can make it as tough as they choose, or you can choose a new match director. S.R.

 

[BluRidgDav]

Thanx, Guys! You've been very helpful.

Now, I have a follow-up question;
about Power Custom hammer/trigger kits,
which I'll post as a new thread.

Dave.

 

[stellarpod]

I concur with twowheel and Smoke Rizun. I've been cowboy shooting my SS 7-1/2" Vaqueros for two years now and have had no trouble with the sights, even in glaring sunlight.

I highly recommend the SS for the reasons the other folks have mentioned, primarily ease of cleaning.

stellarpod

 

[Grayrock]

There is a SS Vaquero on Auction Arms that the guy is advertising in the Cowboy Action section. The problem is it is Magna-ported. Is this legal for SASS events?

 

[Tom C.]

I had a pair of stainless Vaqueros. Sold them. Much prefer my stainless Blackhawks, .45 Colt and .357. I can sight them for what ever load I choose, and when I change my mind, I can resight them. Use a screwdriver instead of a hammer and file.

 

[Josey]

Magna-Porting is an illegal mod.