New Vaquero vs Vaquero????

[Redie Fredie]

What is the difference between the Vaquero and the "New Vaquero"?

They both have to be built on the new blackhawk frame (post three screw)

are any of the case hardened finishes real?

[kynardsj]

Can't say about the case hardened finish but the old Vaquero's, ( XR3 RED ) I believe is the correct number, are stronger than the ones being produced today. The older ones can handle hot loads such as a Ruger/TC load for a 45 LC. The new ones are for factory loads only.

[painted horse]

The original (old) Vaquero was built on the larger BH frame (hence you could get one chambered in 44mag) while the "new" Vaqueros are built on the smaller 357 frame (no 44 mag). I'm far from an "expert" on the newer models that Ruger has come out with, in fact they have me pretty well confused as to what frame is what on some of them. BUT from what I've read the "new" Vaqueros will handle loads around 22,000 psi (45 acp pressure) and thats nothing to sneeze at in a 45 colt..but I would certainly do more checking before I was to do that...

[gcrank1]

The 'new' frame is the same size as the original BH frame, which got upsized after a while and the same as the original Colt's Mdl P. IIRC it really is only an issue if you want to make hot handloads in 45Colt, in which case there is not a lot of metal left in the cylinder walls after reaminig the chambers. The 44s are better in this regard and the 357 no issue. All are rated safe with factory loads (FWIW, manufacturers dont accept handloads anyway) and factory top loads are more than I want to shoot for fun, so I use low to midrange handloads. If you have very large hands and just like a heavy handgun, the early Vaq. may suit you better. If like me, 6'1" with longish fingers and for sure a 'large glove size' the new models feel great and dont pull my pant down quite as bad as the bigger models when in a belt holster. I do much prefer a shoulder rig and the shorter barrel 4 5/8", or even less maybe someday (on my wish list).

[1911crazy]

I have a ruger vaquero in 45 long colt with a 7 1/2" barrel in polished stainless.  I believe these 7 1/2" barrels were discontinued but i'm not sure how old the revolver is nor if it can handle all the hotter factory loads like the corbon 300gr rounds.

[snapdragon]

You can see the differences between the old Vaquero (white grips) and the New Vaquero.  Both are in 45 Colt.  Especially notice the differences between the cylinders.

[dstegjas]

A picture is worth a thousand words Snap Dragon. My guess would be that the older models have a higher value when it comes to resale.
 
Jim

[snapdragon]

That may be true for certain chamberings.  The old ones were available in 44 Mag and 44-40 while, IIRC,  the New Vaqueros are not. The old Vaquero in 45 Colt is supposed to be able to handle heavier loads than is the New Vaquero in 45 Colt.  If you are Cowboy shooting, that would not be an advantage.  The New Vaquero in 357 Mag is plenty strong enough to handle the heavy loads, has the feeling of being trimmer, and has the cylinders line up with the ejection port for easier loading and ejection.  The New Vaquero in 357 Mag is a wonderful revolver.  I suppose the use to which you will put your revolver would dictate which version would serve you better.  I have not seen a major difference between them as far as price is concerned.  The old ones are not as easily available for purchase even though there are still lots of them around. 

[RevJim]

 I've had both, and the New Vaquero is almost a copy of the Colt Peacemaker, very handy. The old Vaqueros were a tad heavier and not as easy packing on the hip...to me it seemed. For sure, the only reason I could see to keep an old one is to shoot heavy hand loads in. A 250-270gr hard cast at 800-900 is very doable in a New Vaquero .45 and very deadly on just about anything.

[gcrank1]

I passed on the old V and got a Super BH for my 'big, heavy' and the New Mdl BH for the PeaceMaker size for that very reason. Even the NM-BH stretches the limit (IMHO) for a 'belt gun' and the big S-BH is to me a 'horse pistol'.
If you are a guy with big hands (and mine arent small) the old V might just fit you, though, so handle (fondle?) all you can to decide  .

[onebilly43]

I have both the New and the old Vaquero the new model is a birdshead in 45 acp and it is much lighter than the old model which is a 357 mag and I dont know if it is because of the shape of the grip or what but the Birdshead model seems to have less recoil shooting factory loads

[zero]

I'd go with the older vaquero. Stronger frame, and if you ever decide you ant new grips, you can actually find them for the old model. The new model has an updated grip frame that pretty much requires custom ones