Inherently accurate, strong built, and reliable, for absolute certain. The Vaquero is a near-copy of the venerable Colt 1873 - aka the “Peacemaker “ - and it served as a very good open carry gun for a very long time for a great many people.
The Colt Single Action Army was a legendary gun and attained almost otherworldly status in pop culture. The Ruger New Vaquero isn’t a Colt in any way. It’s visually similar, but it is otherwise a completely different gun in terms of materials, design, and safety.
I’ve heard some say that the Ruger New Vaquero is inferior to the SAA, but that is entirely false. The New Vaquero is nicely finished, benefits from modern materials and construction techniques and is virtually indestructible.
The primary advantage to the New Vaquero is that it has the look and feel of a classic, but the engineering of a modern gun. Ruger has taken what has been learned over the years about the needs and desires of single action shooters. Bill Ruger’s company has had a long line revolvers based upon the single action frame, from its venerable Ruger Vaquero guns, to the Ruger Blackhawk, Redhawk and Super Blackhawk lines. And the Ruger Bisley guns too. The company has applied these lessons in a way that makes tremendous sense.
Unlike other single actions, the new model Vaquero safely holds six rounds with the hammer down. Traditionally, a six-gun was loaded with only five shots, as the firing pin would come to rest on a live primer. That isn’t necessary with the New Vaquero. Traditionalists hate guns with transfer bars in the firing assembly, but the advantage in a single action is undeniable.
As far as safety is concerned, the gun is far less likely to have an ‘accidental’ discharge than a comparable SAA. The traditional method for loading required opening the loading gate, putting the hammer at half-cock, and then loading and unloading. The hammer would then have to be manually lowered down on an empty chamber to ensure a safe, loaded gun
The Ruger New Vaquero doesn’t require touching the hammer to load or unload. Simply open the loading gate and the cylinder is free to spin, allowing easy loading with no risk of a discharge. Thanks to the transfer bar mechanism.
This Ruger is in great shape and looking for a new home. We only take cash and will meet prospective buyers face to face in Sharpsburg. Not looking for trades, by the way.
The Colt Single Action Army was a legendary gun and attained almost otherworldly status in pop culture. The Ruger New Vaquero isn’t a Colt in any way. It’s visually similar, but it is otherwise a completely different gun in terms of materials, design, and safety.
I’ve heard some say that the Ruger New Vaquero is inferior to the SAA, but that is entirely false. The New Vaquero is nicely finished, benefits from modern materials and construction techniques and is virtually indestructible.
The primary advantage to the New Vaquero is that it has the look and feel of a classic, but the engineering of a modern gun. Ruger has taken what has been learned over the years about the needs and desires of single action shooters. Bill Ruger’s company has had a long line revolvers based upon the single action frame, from its venerable Ruger Vaquero guns, to the Ruger Blackhawk, Redhawk and Super Blackhawk lines. And the Ruger Bisley guns too. The company has applied these lessons in a way that makes tremendous sense.
Unlike other single actions, the new model Vaquero safely holds six rounds with the hammer down. Traditionally, a six-gun was loaded with only five shots, as the firing pin would come to rest on a live primer. That isn’t necessary with the New Vaquero. Traditionalists hate guns with transfer bars in the firing assembly, but the advantage in a single action is undeniable.
As far as safety is concerned, the gun is far less likely to have an ‘accidental’ discharge than a comparable SAA. The traditional method for loading required opening the loading gate, putting the hammer at half-cock, and then loading and unloading. The hammer would then have to be manually lowered down on an empty chamber to ensure a safe, loaded gun
The Ruger New Vaquero doesn’t require touching the hammer to load or unload. Simply open the loading gate and the cylinder is free to spin, allowing easy loading with no risk of a discharge. Thanks to the transfer bar mechanism.
This Ruger is in great shape and looking for a new home. We only take cash and will meet prospective buyers face to face in Sharpsburg. Not looking for trades, by the way.
