HISTORY
Ruger’s first Vaquero was introduced in 1993 as a spinoff of the classic Colt Army revolver that helped tame the Western frontier in the hands of famous lawmen and outlaws.
But the Vaquero wasn’t a faithful copy of the old Colt, and the popularity of cowboy action shooting boosted demand for a more accurate reproduction of the SAA. So in 2005, Ruger introduced the new model Vaquero, which soon became popular with competitors in the sport. This is the subject of my review.
MY IMPRESSIONS
The New Vaquero Stainless is close to perfection. Picking up the revolver, I notice the smooth grips and shiny steel melting together in my hand. There is no safety catch, no red dot sight, no Picatinny rail, and no polymer! Yet, its 150-year-old design is valid today. It is simplicity. It is point-able and well-balanced despite its substantial weight.
The curve of the grip will allow it to roll back in my hand when it fires, instead of kicking hard. Like many revolvers, it is ambidextrous in function. The hammer is easy for my thumb to reach and seems to ask me to pull it back to cocked position. Opening the loading gate allows me to roll the cylinder to check that the gun is empty. It seems to purr, clicking gently.
Many modern features catch my attention on the Vaquero. Most obvious are the smooth, bright stainless frame and cylinder. If you want to be noticed, carry a big, shiny .45 revolver! Should I choose to shoot authentic black powder cartridge loads, the stainless steel will be much easier to clean.
Features
Ruger’s major safety improvement is the Vaquero’s transfer bar, which can be seen when the hammer is cocked. It will not allow the pistol to fire when the hammer is down on a loaded cartridge and locks the loading gate when the hammer is cocked fully. These are major improvements over the Colt SAA. Now I may safely carry six cartridges in the cylinder without danger of an accidental discharge if the pistol is dropped.
Small changes matter, too. Notice that the cylinder’s forward edge is beveled. This is a nice touch that allows snag-free smooth holstering.
Not only is the stainless finish pleasing to view, but the hardwood grips stand out to complete the picture. The red-hued grips on my sample have gorgeous wood grain accented by the silver and black Ruger logo.
Good looks go so far, but the Ruger is functional with a factory-tuned trigger that breaks crisply at just a tad over 3 pounds! There is no creep. The hammer cocks back smoothly with two audible clicks. Is the Vaquero whispering to me? “Let me show you how well I shoot!”
Once cocked, the sights are revealed. The simple rear notched top-strap aligns well with the tall front blade. Will such primitive sights be accurate?
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Overall length: 11.5 inches
- Barrel: 5.5 inches, 1:16 RH twist
- Chambering: .45 Colt (also available in .357 Magnum)
- Capacity: Six rounds
- Material: High-gloss stainless steel
- Grips: Glossy polished hardwood
- Sights: Integral top strap rear and blade front
- Trigger: Single action only; 3 pounds, 1 ounce
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MSRP: $1,049
LET’S GO SHOOTING!
What a beautiful sunny day in Area 51 in Arizona! Plenty of 2-liter root beer bottles, a steel plate with flapper, and soda cans are waiting for the Vaquero. Notice the striking silver metal and wood grips in my holster. It was meant to be there.
My hand-loaded cartridges use Alliant Unique powder topped by a powder-coated Saeco-Redding 250-grain cast bullet. These lipstick bullets do not allow lead to contact the bore, making cleanup easy.
My first test of the Ruger is to move the heavy flapper of my steel target at about 12 yards. Despite the primitive sights, the pistol shoots point-on and moves that steel flapper as if it were made of cardboard! Likewise, a headshot is easy to manage with the smooth trigger. Time for root beer.
No hollow-point bullets are needed here. The solid slugs move through the 2-liter bottles and send soda squirting. One even gurgles. Hey, this is fun! Pop cans are next, and they explode as the soft aluminum skin is peeled back. One shot to my small swinger sends it backward into the dirt. I am no pistolero but am impressed with the pistol’s accuracy.
Some final pop can shots off the boulder are no match for the Vaquero. When the steel flapper does not return fully to the left side, I confidently knock it back to the right though only partially visible. That is an accurate pistol! No jams, timing issues, nor ejection problems were encountered.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Well-made quality
- Good-looking Western styling
- Naturally pointable
- Accurate
- Well-tuned factory trigger
- Safety transfer bar improves action
Cons:
- Heavy
- Slow to reload
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Pricey (but quality comes at a price)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether you are a cowboy action competitor or need a reliable handgun while you are riding herd on the range, the Ruger New Vaquero is my choice. My friends who compete with it say that it is the most encountered and sought-after pistol seen on the circuit. That says something about quality and functionality.
Although retro in design, it has been modernized with new materials and safety features. Its weight is an advantage in taming kick today as it did over 100 years ago. Pick up a Vaquero and you will feel what I mean.
