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Post by drycreek on Jun 30, 2024 18:31:38 GMT -5
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. 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. …………and it’s working !  |
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Post by contender on Jul 1, 2024 9:52:17 GMT -5
Yes,, it does appear that Ruger is "screwing with us" when it comes to model definitions.
Originally,, the 3-screw actions (1953-1973) were just called by their name. then, when the transfer bar system came about, the guns were MARKED as "New Model" to show the differences in the ACTION type.
ALL of the SA handguns built after 1973 have the New Model designation, and safety transfer bar. When the Vaquero came out,, it just says "Vaquero" and was built on the same frame size as the Blackhawk line.
The confusion started when they re-introduced the mid-framed sized guns.
Not enough space to put everything.
But to those who enjoy Ruger 3-screws over the 2-pin transfer bar guns,, AND who coined the term "Old Model" when the change happened,, mostly agree that the Vaquero line,,, needed a different way of describing them. TRYING to keep the casual Ruger owner from too much confusion. So to collectors,, the full sized frames are called "Original" Vaquero's, and the mid-framed ones,, "New Vaqueros" as designated by Ruger.
Confused yet?
Ronnie has given EXCELLENT details on the grip frames & such above.
Most of us collectors can easily spot the different taper of the grip frame from an XR3 (straight) to the XR3-REd type,, (slightly flared) at the back of the lower g/f.
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Post by singleaction on Jul 1, 2024 20:08:03 GMT -5
Yes,, it does appear that Ruger is "screwing with us" when it comes to model definitions. Originally,, the 3-screw actions (1953-1973) were just called by their name. then, when the transfer bar system came about, the guns were MARKED as "New Model" to show the differences in the ACTION type. ALL of the SA handguns built after 1973 have the New Model designation, and safety transfer bar. When the Vaquero came out,, it just says "Vaquero" and was built on the same frame size as the Blackhawk line. The confusion started when they re-introduced the mid-framed sized guns. Not enough space to put everything. But to those who enjoy Ruger 3-screws over the 2-pin transfer bar guns,, AND who coined the term "Old Model" when the change happened,, mostly agree that the Vaquero line,,, needed a different way of describing them. TRYING to keep the casual Ruger owner from too much confusion. So to collectors,, the full sized frames are called "Original" Vaquero's, and the mid-framed ones,, "New Vaqueros" as designated by Ruger. Confused yet? Ronnie has given EXCELLENT details on the grip frames & such above. Most of us collectors can easily spot the different taper of the grip frame from an XR3 (straight) to the XR3-REd type,, (slightly flared) at the back of the lower g/f. And to add even more to the confusion, the special run of mid frame vaquero’s in 44 special were not marked as “New Vaquero”, but just “Vaquero”. I think the folks at Ruger just aren’t paying enough attention to keep thinks consistent. |
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
They call me…Andrew
Posts: 2,757
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Post by awp101 on Jul 2, 2024 7:23:45 GMT -5
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. I suspect that's why I got this one at a great price!   I'm a .44 Special kind of guy but I wasn't even going to shoot .44 Russian with that grip so I turned it into this with an XR3 grip frame:  |
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Post by gunsbam45 on Jul 4, 2024 22:04:37 GMT -5
Thanks ya’ll. Wonder why they call it a “New Vaquero” when it’s the old configuration. Just curious. Oh well. ] The answer is this: They're literally clueless. It isn't a New Vaquero, it's an original large frame, but those are supposed to be discontinued... , so... but like Kelye said, the serial prefix makes it obvious, as does the caliber. There's no such thing as a factory medium frame in .44 Mag. Talo wanted a large frame again, so they did it, but named it wrong intentionally thinking that was the smart thing to do and just made another mess. This isn't the first time this has happened, just the most recent. USUALLY, a 3 digit lead in the serial means medium frame now, but there's a bunch of large frame 50th Anniversary .44 Mag Flattops out there that have a 3 digit lead...and so you've just got to watch em, cus like when we get a new president in this country...well, same goes for new CEOs and new blood at the Ruger show. Bill and his bunch are long gone. |
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Post by contender on Jul 6, 2024 9:32:30 GMT -5
Yep,, you are correct gunsbam45. Confusion reigns at times. As a collector,, it can create headaches for us,, but we study such things. Sadly,, John Q Public has NO clue,, and that can be harder to try & explain to them.
By TRYING to create a vocabulary of terminology that many can easily understand to help identify each different models has been challenging to many of us collectors. And yes,, as mentioned,, we collectors know that the 2-digit prefix in the serial number denotes larger frames. And the 3-digit prefix denotes the mid-framed guns.
But the real confusion has to do with the "Old Model, vs the "New Model" descriptions. Many newer gun owners don't understand that for decades we called the 1953-1973 guns "Old Models" BECAUSE ruger put "New Model" on the transfer bar designed guns. And the Vaqueros ALL came out well after the transfer bar action.
We try & cut down the confusion,, but when gun seller "A" lists a gun as a certain thing,, and gun buyer "B" is looking for something,, and THINKS they are getting one thing,, but in reality get something else,, tempers flair. Especially in internet sales where a hands on inspection isn't available.
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) my understanding is one of the things that makes a NV is the new pawl indexing feature that makes it easier to load. 
