Ruger Vaquero vs Ruger Blackhawk

[cjdun1234]

Greetings!

I am looking into purchasing a revolver in .357 mag that will also shoot .38 special. I am torn between the Ruger Blackhawk, and the Ruger Vaquero. I really like the fixed sights and traditional look of the Vaquero, but which firearm would last longer with regular use? I intend to hand this gun down through the generations.
much thanks

[JM]

I suspect strength & longevity would be the same.

[z1r]

Since they are built on the same frame, longevity would be the same. IMO, fixed sight guns are best suited for those that have one load they shoot through that gun.

Adjustable sights are nice if you like to switch say between .357 and .38 special loads.

[Encore64]

Agree, both will last a lifetime plus...

But...

If you're going to shoot a variety of ammo, I highly recommend the Blackhawk. There is simply no way to regulate fixed sight guns to shoot different ammo.

[COR]

You won't wear out either and you deserve both... so buy one now and buy another later...

[z1r]

Jul 8, 2019 13:24:00 GMT -5 COR said:

You won't wear out either and you deserve both... so buy one now and buy another later...

Best answer yet.

When I was younger, getting started, and funds were much more limited, I opted for the Blackhawks because they are so much more versatile for most folks.

Now, I have both.

If I could have only one, it would have adjustable sights.

That said, my first revolver, a gift from my Grandpa, had fixed sights. It was a .22 Revolver; a HS Double Nine as sold by Sears and Roebuck. It served me well for a good 10 years+ until I was old enough to buy my first Super Blackhawk.  I didn't have any issues switching between ammo.  Back then, whatever brick was cheapest at the time got bought, then shot.  People are remarkably adaptable.

[Frank V]

In a .357 that I'd probably shoot a lot of .38 specials, I'd go for adjustable sights too.

[Encore64]

Jul 8, 2019 18:06:14 GMT -5 Frank V said:

In a .357 that I'd probably shoot a lot of .38 specials, I'd go for adjustable sights too.

Agreed...There's a lot more difference between 38 Special and 357 Magnum than different brands of rimfire ammo.

[deaconkc]

If the gun will carried daily in an environment that will see banging the gun around, the Vaquero with it's fixed sights would be a better choice. For any other activity, the adjustable sights are easier to see and hit with.

[matt56]

I have a handful of blackhawks and I love them but I'm about to get my first vaquero. It's a stainless old model 45 birds head.

[2 Dogs]

There’s a Blackhawk variant that includes a 9mm cylinder. Might as well cover all the bases!

[cjdun1234]

Thanks for all the input! Which frame is stronger, stainless, or blued?

[dmize]

For all intents and purposes there is no difference. My stainless 45 Blackhawk eats the same boulder busting loads as my blued Bisley Blackhawk and Vaquero.

[COR]

Jul 9, 2019 9:33:31 GMT -5 cjdun1234 said:

Thanks for all the input! Which frame is stronger, stainless, or blued?

You really don't believe you will wear this out do you? Your questions seem to indicate strength being the issue here....the issue is the gray matter in between the shooters ears... You don't need strength in steel, you need reason in reloading...

You know how we find out what the limits of anything are... by breaking it... you are just going to shoot this and enjoy it, stop worrying about breaking it and get your ass to a gunshop. We'll all be impressed if you ever wear this out ESPECIALLY A .357... lots of steel in that cylinder.


You won't even care about strength after a month or two, you'll ask us about the 41 then the 44 mag and then...you'll read Elmer and the real juice comes in the form of a 44 Spl... once you pull the trigger on the 250 gr Keith pushed by 7.5grs of Unique... You have arrived.

[steve]

.....You'll be okay. I've had 480's built on both platforms and shot them in stainless.