New Vaquero

[AR-G23]

I see from the Buffalo Bore website that the New Vaquero will not handle the same heavy loads as the Blackhawk. I am trying to decide between a 4 5/8" Vaquero or Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Aside from the sights and the fact the Blackhawk can take a bigger beating, are they any other differences between the two? I think I would perfer the narrower blade front sight on the Vaquero. Can you put such a front sight on a Blackhawk? I would only shoot a heavy Buffalo Bore type load very rarely, but I just like the idea of being able to if I want to.

[Ak.Hiker]

If you want to be able to shoot the heavy 45 Colt loads than the Blackhawk should be your choice. The new Vaquero is not designed for the RUGER ONLY loads.

[WIG19]

If you're sure you won't like the flexibility of the adjustable sights, the other alternative is to find a real Vaquero. If your brick & mortar gunshop will do some checking with their wholesalers they might get lucky, or if they do enough business they might still have one stashed away. Price should be the same or a bit less (as they likely wouldn't have had as much into the gun at the time).

Good hunting, so to speak.

:patriot:

[dougader]

I saw a NIB old model 4-5/8" Vaquero in 45 colt at a local shop yesterday. They were asking $440. If I had the cash I'd get it myself. I'm not into SASS cowboy shoots and other than plinking see no sense in getting a shootin iron that can't handle what the old colt is capable of producing. I want the ability to take advantage of the power if I want it.

My eyes just can't focus on the thin front sight of the Vaquero. I'd have a thick post dovetailed in by a gunsmith, or maybe even have Hamilton Bowen make one of his gorgeous lightweight SA guns with it... nah, I'd use a Colt or a pretty replica for that, then I'd never shoot it.

OTH I also saw a used 45 colt blackhawk for $299. Very light and handy. I want that one, too! I love the .45 colt... nostalgia, power, and I just love loading that big, fat round up and heading to the range or the woods.

[Bill Keith]

The new Vaquero and the Blackhawk are made on two seperate frames and the parts are different on the New Vaquero, with shorter cylinder, cylinder window etc. Grips aren't interchangeable as they were on the original Vaquero with the Blackhawk. Fixed sighted wheelguns will necessitate experimentation with handloads to get the right point of impact with point of aim. The Blackhawk has adjustable sights and is more stout. I have the 4 5/8" barreled 45 Blackhawk Convertible and it really is a great gun. It will shoot the strongest, fire breathing, smoke belching 45 Colt loads you want to stuff in it. It will also with its 45ACP cylinder, allow you to shoot the cheap, steel cased Wolf ammo all day long. The Blackhawk is a workhorse gun. I take mine with me on all my hunting and camping trips and it has seen a pretty good bit of abuse, being knocked off me from horseback, dunked in more than one stream and used to put down snakes and coons, and even a feral hog with a Speer JHP 45 ACP load. I recently had it nickel plated it was getting so ragged looking, but it is still tight and shoots good.