Does this “New Vaquero” 44mag have an XR3 grip frame?

[singleaction]

www.gunbroker.com/item/1056385858

[kelye]

It looks like a 2 digit prefix on the serial number which should indicate a large receiver rather than the mid frame. Don't know about the grip frame.

[bamagreg]

All of the 44 mags are the large frame. I think they have the XR3-red grip

[bradshaw]

Jun 30, 2024 7:14:52 GMT -5 kelye said:

It looks like a 2 digit prefix on the serial number which should indicate a large receiver rather than the mid frame. Don't know about the grip frame.

*****

Good spotting by kelye. Although it’s almost twenty years since Bill Ruger, Jr., left the helm (Bill, Jr., retired in 2006), it makes sense new owners would continue the late Ruger’s position to specify the large (original) Vaquero frame for .44 Magnum. Grip frame looks to be XR3 or XR3 RED----general Colt SAA proportions----which this shooter finds obnoxious under .44 Mag recoil. Kelye spots the TALO special order as a smaller grip frame on the full size Vaquero. Pretty to look at and handle, less fun to shoot.
David Bradshaw

[wendigo]

Hard to say from a single picture, but I'd say it's an XR3-Red. My first issue 44 mag Vaquero came so equipped, and as a result became my first Bisley conversion for the reasons mentioned above.

[RDW]

That is a RED in that picture.

[contender]

Ronnie has it right. It's an XR3-RED grip frame,, NOT an XR3.

[CraigC]

Definitely XR3-RED. I've been staring at this crap too long.

[RDW]

Jun 30, 2024 10:22:00 GMT -5 CraigC said:

Definitely XR3-RED. I've been staring at this crap too long.

I can diggit Craig. After a few thousund you see the gap between the XR3 and the redesign and can tell.
R

[singleaction]

Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well.

[RDW]

Jun 30, 2024 12:07:31 GMT -5 singleaction said:

Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well.

All Vaqueros are new models from the transfer bar inception. It gets confusing at first glance and it throws a lot of folks off.
Here are a few things to look at.
Compare the distance of the front corner of the grip frame to the back of the main frame to the length of the bottom of the grip frame.  Red lines in A.
Notice that it is about a third of the length. That is an XR3. In B notice the distance of the front of the grip frame (bottom mount) to the front of the mainframe compared to its placement to the front face of the cylinder. If you look closely you can see that the distance to the inside of the main frame in front of the cylinder is about dead nuts in the center of the distance from grip frame to the front of the main frame.
That is a New Model Vaquero.  Realistcally they should call it the  New Model Vaquero New Model.  The cylinder is shorter like the Old Model 357 mid frame. It is a mid Frame with .517 thousands bore to base pin center. The cylinder is on average
a 1.675 OD. In other words. ITS A LOT SMALLER.



This is A Vaquero. The original standard frame size which by the way is a new model. Hahaha. Just not a new model Vaquero.
It like all blackhawks from 1973 thru the early 2000s when they came up with the new model vaquero to shrink the frame size back to the original colt size.
It has a .546 Bore to center pin distance and an average of 1.730 diameter OD. It is also longer. Notice the distance in B in red.
Even though the cylinder is longer than the new model vaquero new model, there is still the visuall comparison that the cylinder is in the last third in distance to the front of the main frame if you look closely.
And the front inside of the frame is sitting forward of center between the two. Its just Bigger.
In A in Red you can clearly see that the distance between the front strap and the back of the main frame is much larger. About half of the length of the bottom of the grip frame.
That is because the XR3 to Redesign added .150 thousnadths more knuckle room so it is set back further.


So with that being said, i hope that helps in identification and also the prospects of 44 Magnum Cannonry, rocks and dynamite in a smaller frame with less knuckle room. Oh Ya. OUCH.
R

[wendigo]

Thanks for the reference points Ronnie, that makes it easy.

[awp101]

Jun 30, 2024 12:07:31 GMT -5 singleaction said:

Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well.

I went down this rabbit hole a couple of months ago. Generally speaking, IIRC (and all the other alibis for poor memory ) my understanding is one of the things that makes a NV is the new pawl indexing feature that makes it easier to load.

.44 Mag NVs are built on the larger "original Vaquero" size frame but also use the new pawl indexing system so technically they are only half NV but Ruger rounds up and classifies them as a New Vaquero.

[RDW]

Jun 30, 2024 14:24:42 GMT -5 awp101 said:

Jun 30, 2024 12:07:31 GMT -5 singleaction said:

Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well.

I went down this rabbit hole a couple of months ago. Generally speaking, IIRC (and all the other alibis for poor memory ) my understanding is one of the things that makes a NV is the new pawl indexing feature that makes it easier to load.

.44 Mag NVs are built on the larger "original Vaquero" size frame but also use the new pawl indexing system so technically they are only half NV but Ruger rounds up and classifies them as a New Vaquero.

Yep. And they even make it with a birdshead. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But you are right. Regardless of what the heck they call it, the 44 Mag is on the larger frame.

[CraigC]

I don't think the reverse indexing pawl is what makes it a New Vaquero. All the new flat-tops have it and no distinction was ever made with them.

Jun 30, 2024 12:07:31 GMT -5 singleaction said:

Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well.

Ruger does it just to screw with us.