I guess I have to try the Birdshead grip now.

[nolongcolt]

Just snagged a real nice looking original Vaquero .45 Colt with stubby bbl and Birdshead grip with factory ivory panels. Never much liked the looks of that style but will have a go at it. Been looking for a Sheriffs model Vaquero but far and few between and the price is getting a little silly for the few available and right now could only find one and the tariff put me off. Then spotted this model on another site with a very reasonable opening bid and got it for $105 over the opener. The only difference between this and the Sheriff is the grip frame. Looks to be better than 95 percent overall. Should have it in hand in 10 or so days I hope. Will post some pics when it arrives.

[grizzly]

I always liked the look of Ruger's birdshead grip but wasnt sure how comfortable it was. About six months ago I came across a new vaquero birdshead in a gun shop. It was very comfortable for me. I bought it and carry it most days. Most of the people that have held and shot mine have liked it, but obviously everyone is different. Hope you enjoy it!

[dana]

I like the birdshead grip. Have three all 4 5/8's length. Original Vaqueros in .45 Colt, 357 mag and a Single six .32 H&R. Guess I should say wife has the 357 and 32. LOL
Dana

[nolongcolt]

Thanks guys. I am looking forward to trying it out. It looks basically like a heavily round butted std grip.

[Alaskan454]

Yup, you can make one from the standard plow handle with a grinder and some time to kill. They are great packing guns, I picked up a 3.75 inch ACP model and you can't tell it's there.

[nolongcolt]

Got it home today. I don't think its been fired beyond the factory. Been thumbed some, the usual dragline. Innards look new. Grips fit my hand well and are well fitted to the frame. Bore is as new. Case colors are quite good and no sign of Ruger "rust". Even still had the warranty card from 2004, so as sort of a joke, I am going to fill it out and send it in, even though they probably would not work on it if it needed something. Only issue I find with the gun is one chamber is very rough. All are a tad rough but one has some obvious cutting lines, see the pic. I don't expect it will affect shooting at all though. It has the usual tight chamber mouths of .450, no surprise there. Shown with a neat little DeSantis Doc Holliday crossdraw holster I have had for some time.

[4597]

Looks like a nice Snag.

[Wasp]

Nice shooting....with the camera, I love the bore shot! I wonder if that one dirty chamber could be where Ruger did a couple test fires?

Congratulations though, shes a beaut!

[nolongcolt]

Well the one chamber is as clean as the others, I cleaned them. What is showing there is heavy tool marks. Don't think I will have to worry too much about slippery chambers!

Thanks!

[Alaskan454]

That's a nice looking rig! Have fun with it.

[nolongcolt]

I did a shoot-n-file on this gun today, to bring the sights around. I shot it at 50 the other day on the rifle range just to see if it went bang every time, it did. But it also was typically hitting low and left, thus the file. I had several different loads all with the same bullet, a Rimrock 255 SWC BB slug. At 25 yds it put everything I tried low and left though less so than at 50. After some fair amount of filing, mostly on the side I have it pretty well dialed in. It shot very well with most every load tried but seemed to like 16.5 and 17 grs of 2400 as well as anything but also 8 grs of both 231 and Unique. Looks to be very unfussy, and I like that! Fun gun to shoot as well. Shot my new Colt NF today too, but alas results were disappointing. Tried a new bullet, a Keith type 250 from Western bullets. I don't know for sure why but it leaded up pretty quickly especially with loads over std. Special velocity. Didn't shoot all that well either, though it did pretty well with light loads of Bullseye. It just didn't appear to be compatible with this bullet. I have some RNFP of the same maker to try, and they are bevel base, so perhaps they will shoot better in this gun, as the other BB bullets I have did shoot fine in this Colt.

[warhawk]

If you're looking for a Sheriffs model in 45 Colt, have you considered a Montado?

[nolongcolt]

Well not anymore, I have this one. I did look at the Montado but could only find it in SS. I wanted the old large frame with case colors this time around.