'93 Vaquero
by Sarge 
, Central Misery, Friday, October 24, 2014, 14:03 (3688 days ago)
If I deer hunt this year, it's going to be with a handgun. So I swapped into an old heavy-frame Vaquero with the 4 5/8" barrel in 45 Colt. Figured I better get a glammer shot before it gets beat and abused like all my other working guns.
![[image]](http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x187/SargeMO/1c71508e-ced4-4faa-a841-b9b9d707ab63_zps60082f87.jpg)
This is a 1st year of production gun. Apparently Ruger was was on their best behavior because the grip frame to receiver fit and polishing is near perfect. The cylinder throats were a perfect .452 all the way around, which means either Ruger actually got a cylinder right or it's already been reamed. The hammer & trigger have been blued (personal reference) the internals cleaned & oiled and the pull set to three pounds with a lot less creep. It shoots dead on for windage and a tad low at 50 yards with my standard and 'second gear' 13.0 HS6/255 SWC loads. All that remains is to perfect zero at 50-75 yards she's good to go.
The little woman even likes it and is shown here trying to run me out of factory-dup loads.
![[image]](http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x187/SargeMO/2014-10-21171514_zps2d3a0720.jpg)
I have always favored 4 3/4" single-actions and this one just fits.
They are sweet shooters
by Dave B , Alamogordo New Mexico, Friday, October 24, 2014, 17:03 (3688 days ago) @ Sarge
I'm not much good with fixed sights, but I will say the two I have shot were quite accurate!
Many years ago a customer bought an early one too
by Miles , CIVITATES AMERICAE, Friday, October 24, 2014, 17:03 (3688 days ago) @ Sarge
AK has it now, and I have right of 1st refusal if he ever decides to turn it.
It is one of the most accurate .45 revolvers I have ever shot with factory ammo.
'93 Vaquero
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Friday, October 24, 2014, 17:18 (3688 days ago) @ Sarge
I'm still kicking myself for letting go of a stainless .45 Bisley a few years back before giving it a good wringing out. I was going through a high turnover phase and let go of several good guns for no good reason!
DIY kicks to the rear end....
by Sarge , Central Misery, Friday, October 24, 2014, 19:26 (3688 days ago) @ Slow Hand
In 97 I bought a new 5.5" Blackhawk in 45 Colt- about a 4 MOA revolver. A friend pestered me for it and offered full price so I let it go in the off season. Bought its replacement that October and it was about a 16 MOA gun if you held your mouth right... still managed to kill a doe with it, by lining up it 3 accurate chambers to come up first. It went back to Southport several times and finally stayed... I sure hope they scrapped it.
The last Vaquero was a 5.5" 45 which was pretty accurate. But I let it go last spring in hopes I'd find the shorter version of the same gun... and luckily I did. Did a little shooting with it today a 60 yards using the 13.0 HS6/255 SWC load. My shooting ain't the best right now but the gun was making 3-4 inch clusters when I didn't screw up. About 5 file strokes zeroed it and carries so nice, I won't miss its predecessor at all.
'93 Vaquero
Sarge, that is an unusually nice looking Vaquero. The hammer appears to be about normal-sized rather than the exaggerated monstrosity found on most Vaqueros. Is it a replacement, or modified in some way, or does it just look better in that photo?
NICE score!
Thank you
by Sarge , Central Misery, Saturday, October 25, 2014, 10:35 (3687 days ago) @ Catoosa
I don't think its a replacement, but when you cold blue them it sure improves the appearance.