Ruger New Vaquero Montado

[blackwolfe]

Got an email 4-13-07 from Jim Shepherd's shooting wire about a new Ruger New Vaquero model.  It is called the Montado.  3.75" barrel.  Hi-gloss stainless steel. 45 Colt, deep checkered low wide hammer spur.  Front of grip frame grooved.  Beveled cylinder and cresent ejector rod head. It's already been mentioned on the Ruger forum.  It's on Ruger's websight.  Someone mentioned it's a Davidson's exclusive.  Ruger also rolled out a bunch of other new things at the NRA convention in St. Louis Friday.  Check out theshootingwire.com  You can sign up for an email subsription and get the latest news in the shooting industry about 3 or 4 times a week.

[Lloyd Smale]

Thats purdy. Ill probably have to find a way to get one. The improvement in the hammer alone is enough to make me want one. Hopefully ruger will use it on all of there new models. Now make mine a 44 special, all blued, with no grip groves!!!

[L-Ray]

Here's a link from Ruger:

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/NewProducts/KNV-453.pdf

[blackwolfe]

Lloyd,  I thought you might like that one.  I know you like short barreled revolvers.

[sureshot2040]

looks good now all it needs is a birdshead gripframe
sureshot

[44 Man]

Yup, round butt it.  Of course I want mine in 44 special!  What a great packing gun!  If this keeps up, I'll end up having to change my handle from 44 Man to 45 Man!  Darn.  Come on Ruger, let's get with it for 44 specials.  44 Man

[sureshot2040]

i know what ya mean on the 44 spec
i had a second gen saa nickled with a 4 3/4 barrel in 44 back in the early 80's bought it used at a local toy store for 350 bucks!
shot the hell out of it fanning and spinning all along the way wore out the hammer spring so there was no half cock to it and it still kept on running right along
after five years with it and a problem with alcohol i stupidly let her go for some quick cash
sold it back to the same toy store for the same 350 bucks not knowing that colt was abt to stop production on em again!!
he took it and put 599 on it and stuck it under the counter
i looked it up once and that cal/configuration was only made in limited numbers
oh well live and learn i guess
now i dont drink havent in a long time but i still remember winning money and have a hell of good time with that old colt 44

[kmeyer]

   If that we're a "Birdshead", I'd pre-order it asap.

[olywa]

Darn but that's a purty revolver. I'm pretty much a 44 guy too, but I'm getting interested in playing with the 45 Colt. Will the new Vaquero frame handle 255-300gr hard casts out of that 3 3/4" barrel at about 900fps without getting beat too badly over time?

[olywa]

I should have checked my tables. Looks like 900fps would be pushing it, especially on the 300s.

[pathfinder]

My dealer got me one and it arrived yesterday.  My first impression is very favorable.

The XR3 grip frame is amazingly comfortable. It makes it a lot easier to manipulate with one hand compared to my Blackhawk. Pointing it seems even more natural and instinctive. The Super Blackhawk style hammer is a big improvement in my opinion. I even like the high gloss stainless better than I thought I would  though I would love one in case color too.

The inner workings are tight and crisp.  More Smith and Wesson like than typical Ruger. The clicks are slightly softened comparitively and it feels more precise. It very much has the feel of quality. Of my guns with fixed sights these are the best I've had, very easy to pick up and align quickly.  Even my dealer who is NOT a Ruger fan was impressed.

The alignment of the Ejector rod and cylinder is nice too.

Some of the low lights are it is a bit heavier than advertized. According to my scale it is 3 oz heavier. I'm not sure what the "reverse index pawl" is or does or how to work it.  There might be a little more rearward travel than my BH. 

Giving up the Ruger Only loads was a compromise for smaller and lighter. That kept me from buying a New Vaquero before this version came along. After handling the NV Montado I think it is worth it.

If this baby shoots well I'll have to buy another.

[olywa]

I'm on pins and needles here pathfinder. How's it shoot?

[pathfinder]

The Montado has had three trips to the range, been on a few hikes and a fly fishing trip and I am still very pleased with my purchase.

The details:
I've tried several loads and the early favorites are a 255gr SWC and a 250gr RNFP (Lee mold).  The two powders that seem to do the best are SR4756 (Speer #13) and AA#5 (Accurate Powder), both at published  Max (for Colt and replicas) levels.

The 255gr SWC over SR4756 averages 827 fps and will group under 3" at 25 yards, off hand, throwing out the (called) flier.  At 25' it will put them in an enlarged hole.  This load prints about 3" low for me at 25 yards and about 1" at 25'.   I get a clean burn with a little bit of sooting on the forward third of the case.

The 250gr over AA#5 averages 823 fps and will group similarly to the SR4556 load.  It burns slightly less sooty.

The other powders I tried were W231 and SR7625.  Both showed promising accuracy but produced more soot.

The velocity is very nearly equal to the velocities I get in my 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk

Shooting the Montado at these levels is comfortable.  I noticed the recoil being different but not punishing compared to my bigger gripped Ruger Blackhawk.  It took me a few cylinders worth to adjust to the smaller grip.  The shorter barrel amplifies any deficiencies in  one's technique.  Getting the repetitions with each trip to the range has brought improvement.

The sights are easy to see and align.  The shots center (low) on the bullseye.  Once I settle on a load I'll get file the front sight if needed to bring the POA = POI.

The Montado point shoots very well too.  Focusing on the target without using the sights and firing at a steady rate at 25' it was easy to keep a cylinder's worth centered on the bull in a 4" group.

Shooting one handed is where the Montado outshines the Blackhawk.  The smaller grip and Super Blackhawk style hammer make firing and re-cocking easier and faster.

In the field it is a pleasure to carry even though the holster I'm currently using fits my 4-5/8" Blackhawk better.  I have a holster for the Montado on order but it looks like I'll have a month or so wait before it is made.  I wear it crossdraw and I rarely notice it when hiking, fishing or while driving.  It conceals well under an untucked shirt.

I still have more testing to do but so far I really like it.