Almost seven years ago, Ruger introduced
their New Vaquero single
action revolver. A bit smaller in size than their very
successful original Vaquero, the New Vaquero replicated the
handling qualities, balance, size, and feel of the beloved Colt
Single Action Army revolver, but uses Ruger’s improved New
Model lockwork, which is stronger, more durable, and safer than
the original Colt design. The Ruger New Model design has been
proven for many years, and is the top choice of competitive
single action revolver shooters who need a strong, dependable,
and accurate sixgun for competition. The Ruger New Vaquero is
also an excellent choice for a working and hunting sixgun,
carrying well on the belt in a good holster, but having enough
heft to shoot well.
I won’t go into great detail on the New
Vaquero design here, as I have covered that before in several
other articles, which can be found in our Archive section.
However, I will note that the New Vaquero action is one of the
best single actions ever designed, and shown here is another
variation of that dandy sixgun. The New Vaquero featured here is
an exclusive variant that Ruger builds for Davidson’s, a large
firearms wholesaler.
The New Vaquero shown here is chambered in 45
caliber, and comes with two interchangeable cylinders; one
chambered for the 45 Colt cartridge and the other chambered for
the 45 ACP cartridge. Both are excellent cartridges, with the 45
ACP being well-suited for hunting medium-sized game, as well as
for defense and plinking. Good 45 Colt ammunition costs anywhere
from sixty cents to twice that per round, while comparable 45
ACP ammo is about half that cost. Shooting much ammunition, the
savings add up quickly, comparing the cost of shooting the two
cartridges. Another way to look at it is that you can afford to
shoot twice as much shooting 45 ACP as you can 45 Colt. Having
the extra 45 ACP cylinder included with this Davidson’s New
Vaquero pays for the extra cost of getting this variation
compared to the New Vaquero with just the 45 Colt cylinder
within shooting a couple of boxes of ammo.
Critical specifications for the Davidson’s
New Vaquero are listed in the chart below. Linear measurements
are listed in inches. Weight is listed in ounces. Trigger pull
is listed as pounds of force. SA is the single-action trigger
pull.
Weight |
41 ounces |
Overall Length |
11.02 inches |
Overall Height |
4.9 inches |
Cylinder Length |
1.615 inches |
Cylinder Diameter |
1.68 inches |
Barrel Length |
5.49 inches |
Trigger Pull |
3.25 pounds |
Barrel / Cylinder Gap |
0.003 inch |
Chamber Throats |
0.452 inch |
I tested for velocity with my chronograph set
at ten feet from the muzzle, with an air temperature of
sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit; with a gusty breeze in the ten
mile-per-hour range. Velocity readings were taken at an
elevation of approximately 541 feet above sea level. Velocities
are listed in the chart below, and are listed in feet-per-second
(fps). FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. JHP is a jacketed
hollowpoint. DPX is an homogenous copper hollowpoint bullet.
LWSC is a cast lead semi-wadcutter bullet. WC is a hard-cast
lead wadcutter bullet. Bullet weights are listed in grains.
Group sizes are the average group size for each type of
ammunition, measured center-to-center of the widest-apart bullet
holes in each group. Accuracy was tested at twenty-five yards,
with the revolver secured into my Ransom
Master Series machine rest, to eliminate all human error.
Ammunition |
Bullet
Weight |
Velocity |
Accuracy |
45 COLT
|
|
|
|
Buffalo
Bore WC |
225 |
1125 |
1.75" |
Handload #1
LSWC |
285 |
778 |
2.00" |
Handload #2
LWSC |
285 |
771 |
2.30" |
|
|
|
|
45 ACP
|
|
|
|
Handload
LWSC |
200 |
1069 |
2.50" |
Cor-Bon JHP |
230 |
951 |
2.25" |
Cor-Bon JHP |
200 |
1111 |
1.75" |
Cor-Bon JHP |
185 |
1201 |
2.13" |
Buffalo
Bore JHP |
230 |
1011 |
1.75" |
Buffalo
Bore FMJ |
230 |
1013 |
1.88" |
Buffalo
Bore JHP |
200 |
1121 |
1.80" |
Buffalo
Bore JHP |
185 |
1223 |
2.63" |
Stryker FMJ |
230 |
853 |
1.88" |
Remington FMJ |
230 |
848 |
1.38" |
As can be seen in the chart above, the sample
gun exhibited fine accuracy with every load tested. The revolver
was very well-fitted. I especially appreciate the tight
barrel/cylinder gap, measuring only three one-thousandths (.003)
of an inch. This tight gap contributes to the superior accuracy,
and enhances velocity over a revolver with a larger gap,
everything else being equal. The sights on the New Vaquero
placed 230 to 255 grain ammo on target for me at twenty-five
yards, with the lighter-bulleted loads impacting slightly lower.
The crisp three and one-quarter pound trigger pull contributed
to good practical accuracy offhand as well.
I carried the New Vaquero on my hip in a
Simply Rugged leather holster that fit the sixgun well, and
offered excellent protection in the field, while still allowing
quick access. The leather holster is well-crafted, with just
enough border tooling to make it interesting. It fit my belt
very well, and allows comfortable field carry for working or
hunting, keeping the sixgun high and out of the way.
The Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger New Vaquero
Convertible is available in either blued steel or polished
stainless finishes, and with a choice of four and five-eighths
or five and one-half inch barrels. This New Vaquero comes with a
hard plastic storage case, padlock, both cylinders, keys for the
internal lock, and instructions. It is backed by Ruger’s
excellent customer service, as well as Davidson’s GuaranteeD
Lifetime Replacement Warranty.
The Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger New Vaquero
Convertible is available only at a Davidson’s authorized
firearms retailer, or if you prefer, you can order the sixgun
online. To order the Convertible New Vaquero online, go to www.galleryofguns.com
and click on the Gun Genie tab. Inputting your ZIP Code will
give you prices from several dealers in your area, where you can
pick up the revolver conveniently.
To order high quality leather goods at
reasonable prices, with fast delivery, go to www.simplyrugged.com
To order quality 45 Colt and 45 ACP
ammunition, go to www.buffalobore.com,
www.luckygunner.com,
and www.theamericanmarksman.com.
Jeff Quinn