Author Topic: Disappointment with new Vaquero. (Read 1236 times)

Dusty Miller · « **on:** December 24, 2004, 04:59:30 PM »

My new Vaquero has a bore diameter of .451 and the cylinder bores are all smaller at .450. SO, it looks like I've got a gunsmith bill coming up. BUT, before that I guess I'm going to fire lap the bore because it feels to me very much like there is a tight spot in front of the forcing cone. Its a cry'n shame that this kind of thing has to be done on a new firearm given the state of modern manufacturing technology.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2004, 08:08:30 PM »

Just for the hell of it: shoot it first, before you do anything to it! Then.......if you don't like the results in an honest try-out, turn it over to a 'smith for the cylinder work and for 'Taylor throating'. You can get info' on 'Taylor throating' by doing a 'search' on the web.

Good luck,

SS'

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2004, 10:17:41 PM »

I'd have to agree with that advice.

Shoot it first---then post any problems and your results. Then go from there. Maybe your gun is a work in process-----maybe its a tack-driver that you'll never part with-----you don't know till ya shoot it.

Greybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 25, 2004, 12:57:00 AM »

While I do certainly agree it looks like Ruger could do it right to start with, at least this is better than what they used to do. At least if they are undersize you can open them and all is well. But back when they made them grossly over size a new cylinder was the only cure. Better the current condition than that. BUT dang it Ruger knows what the dimensions should be, why can't they deliver them.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2004, 07:22:26 AM »

Hey guys, good advice. I'll take to the range tomorrow and put a few rounds thru it and see what happens, then go from there.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2004, 07:39:06 AM »

Well, I've got more problems. My mold is throwing .453 bullets. So set me straight here. Do I want the cylinder throats cut to .001 over bore size (that'd make'm .452) and the bullets sized to .451 (same as the bore)? As a matter of fact I'm wondering if that barrel should be fire lapped first to remove any tight spots and then re-slugged before any throat re-sizing is done. DAMN! This is getting complicated!

Flash · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2004, 11:11:30 AM »

And to think they were just awarded a militarty contract for their semi automatic 9mm pistols. I want to buy a new single action in the worst way but am afraid of choosing Ruger.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2004, 12:20:12 PM »

Fire lap, slug, ream throats in that order. For cast bullets about 0.001" over bore is good. Dead on isn't bad but if really hard alloy is used it won't bump and that extra 1/1000" is better I think.

jh45gun · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2005, 09:06:48 PM »

This thread just reaffirms my dislike for Rugers and their inability to make guns out of the box that do not need fixing! :x

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2005, 08:11:26 AM »

Yeah, that really stinks, however I'm told that with the new guns they've cured this cylinder throat problem. Lets hope so. I've had this gun to the range a couple of times now and things have pretty much panned out after having the throats opened up. I don't think its ever going to be a tack driver but after all its a 3.5" barrel in a 45 Colt, not known for being the most accurate cartridge out there. Then throw in the fixed sights and that pretty much insures I won't be doing any national match shooting with it!! Having said that, this is the first gun I've bought strictly as a "fun gun" to fiddle and expiriment with and even with its shortcomings I'm sure it'll bring me a lot of shooting pleasure.

jh45gun · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2005, 11:15:02 AM »

I have read lots of guys love the 45colt so I do not think it is a cartridge issue if it is I would like to hear from others as I would like a gun in that caliber. I have been disapointed in the past with Rugers single actions with their accuracy problems from 22's to 44 Mags. It sure would be nice if they got it right but if they do it sure has taken them millions of guns to get it right.