Vaquero Shoots To The Left

[JCP]

I've had a Vaquero for about 9yrs. It shoots about 6-8" left at 20 yards. Is this to much to correct by turning barrel?

Should I return it to Ruger?

[bilmac]

Thats a bunch. I think I would try to get Ruger to help me out.

[Luckyducker]

Thats too much to correct with barrel turning.  Send it back to Ruger and hope they can correct it.   I have a Vaquero 45Colt that is wearing S&W J-frame adjustable sights because Ruger couldn't fix the problem. 

[JCP]

Looks like they would replace something they can't fix. It is a factory defect.

[mcwoodduck]

Are you shooting it with one hand or two?
If one hand you are squeezing your whole hand as you pull the trigger.
If two You are squeezing both hands and possibly using too much trigger.
Or the third thing is your closing your eyes as you shoot and pulling with your left arm.
before you send it back.  Insert snap caps and dry fire the gun a little trying to keep the sights on a small target while squeezing the trigger.
Now go to the range and have a buddy load the gun with some empty cases as well as live and you not look.  Now see if you can hit the target.  If you are still shooting left and on an empty case the gun did not move from the target at all in your sight picture then it's the gun.

[JCP]

Thanks mcwoodduck, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

I will say though, several people have shot this pistol lately and it shoots to the left with everyone of them. I will admit it does shoot a little more to the left with me.

I am 6'5" tall and weigh 220 lbs. and have very large hands. I don't know if this is a factor or not.

[Sverre A.]

My first V. - was 6" high/left.
I sent it back (not to Ruger).

Got another - which was about the same dirt  .
Sent it back (not to Ruger) - and got the same revolver in return - but then it shot straight.

Therefor I think that a gunsmith can help you 

[DanChamberlain]

Have you tried it with your other hand?  No joke, just as a test.  It will tell you a little about how the hands/arms affect bullet impact.
This group is 10 yards with right hand only.



This group is 10 yards, left hand only.



Same Cimarron .44 Special, same load.  (I'm better with my right hand.)





Dan

[JCP]

Dan, I did try it with my left hand and it still shoots to the left but only half as far.

I guess that tell me is is partly me but I think the Vaquero has problems though. We shot it from a rest (2 sons and myself ) and it still shoots left with all of us.

It's raining here in NC today so I probably want shoot it anymore until monday.

[fowler]

This whole right hand left hand thing is a interesting little trick but it does not matter at all, you grip your gun the way you do and it need to hit to the sights for you. You can send it to Ruger and they might fix it, or send it to a reputable gunsmith and have him install a drift front sight or a full set of adjustable ones. I had Dustin Linebaugh install a drift front sight on my 5 1/2" Bisley Vaquero and it turned out fantastic! He regulated the sights to hit POA at 50yards with my chosen load and luckily it hits the same for me as it does him, but with this being a drift front sight it an be drifted for my grip and eye easy enough. Plus while it is at the smith you can have him tune the action and trigger and you will be a far happier man in the long run...

[bilmac]

Which all goes to say why would you buy a Vaquero when there are Blackhawks to be had.

[DanChamberlain]

JCP

Yes, it appears that you have need of Ruger's services.  It's too bad.  I've had incredibly good luck with every fixed sighted revolver I've ever owned.  Some I've had to "tweak" a bit, but never more than a couple inches at 25 yards.  I absolutely hate Kentucky windage! 

Fixed sighted revolvers are not for people who don't feel they have the necessary tools/skills to make the corrections.  I'm a tinkerer.  I like fixed sighted revolvers because I'm not much into experimentation.  When the load is right, that's the load I use and having a gun regulated for that load suits me. 

Others, who may want to try different ammo/loads, really should stick with adjustable sights. 

I hope you get it worked out.  While the Blackhawk is a lovely revolver, there is something that it lacks from a purist's perspective.  The best revolver Ruger ever made was the original "Blackhawk" flattop in .357!  It was nearly absolutely perfect in balance and yes...it had adjustable sights.  But it would have been just as good had they simply used a drift adjustable rear sight. 

Regards

Dan

[Bart Solo]

Which all goes to say why would you buy a Vaquero when there are Blackhawks to be had.

Maybe you shoot cowboy?

[Foggy]

work on your trigger pull it seem your pushing the pistol. the gun parts catalog has a chart in it  that shows the mistaks .. fixed sights are not forgiving

[JCP]

Thanks all for the help.

I got a Vaquero because of the look. I hate flat tops. They are fine revolvers but I like the old look.

I have tried to push the trigger to left, to the right as I pull it and no matter what I do it won't shoot center no matter what.

I've dry fired it a lot and don't see any problem there. I shoot a 1911 a lot and have no problem with it. I had a ruger 44 mag. for years and could shoot it very well. I really do believe it's mostly the revolver. Tomorrow I will try to let my son load it with real and dud loads to see if that makes any difference at all. That should get this 56 yr old heart to pumping 

Thanks again

Jack

[DanChamberlain]

Here's another option.  This is a drift adjustable front sight similar to some of the sights offered by Bowen and Linebaugh and a few other custom smiths.  They can be ordered and a local smith could fit it for you.  Makes for a nice sight picture and you can zero in your load.

Dan   

[Ahshucks]

Can a Blackhawk be used in CAS?

[mjbgalt]

yes, in the modern category, as i understand it.

-Matt

[Travis Morgan]

Which all goes to say why would you buy a Vaquero when there are Blackhawks to be had.

The Blackhawk snags on everything. I have both, and prefer Vaqueros.