[Iowegan]

Here's a heavy frame Vaquero 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible that I bought new a few months ago from a dealer that was going out of business. The gun was made in 2002 and is a Davidson's Special Edition. Being a retired gunsmith, I just had to do some enhancements. For openers, I reamed the cylinder throats to .4525" and chamfered the forcing cone to 11 degrees. I modified the pawl for free spin, did a trigger job, adjusted the cylinder for perfect alignment, and made an extended hammer plunger to prevent a cylinder turn line. It's a great shooter but now I need to do something with that shiny front sight.

 

[RNettles]

That's the one... That's the one I need... Sweet revolver you have there Iowegan![]
Do they make it in .357/9mm?

 

[Iowegan]

I don't think this particular run was made in 357/9. This special 2002 run was made for Davidsons and is the high polish finish. The shine looks great but when you try to shoot it on a sunny day, it looks like a laser pointed in your eyeball. Here's a little better photo with the custom Silverwood grips installed.

 

[RNettles]

I would love to get one... to carry when I go shooting my Winchester Model 94 Ranger 30-30... and put a pair of CaryC's grips on it... sweet.

Well, I guess the search will begin soon... I need to find one that's a "shooter" and maybe needing some TLC... What's a "good" price for the 357/9?

 

[kevin]

Very sweet grips!!

Looking for a pair for my new Vaquero - where did those come from?

 

[n/a]

As I stated on another thread here, my brother just bought a 7 1/2" polished SS Vaquero in .45 Colt. We were out shooting it several weekends ago and it's a real shooter. Well balanced, handles nicely, and best of all the good quality of the Ruger bore/rifling/forcing cone keeps the lead buildup way down. The barrel hardly had any evidence of leading after firing 150 lead rounds through it.

I'd sure love to get one for myself but I all ready have that caliber in another brand and currently I am looking for a used (or new if I Could find one) Taurus Tracker SS 4" barrel 5 shot .45 Colt double action revolver. If I can't find that one then next is a Ruger SP101 .357 2 or 3" barrel. So the Vaquero has to get in line after the other two before I can even think about getting one.

 

[Pale Rider]

Where did you learn your gunsmithing skills? I picture something from one of the kung fu movies where you start out by sweeping the shop and after years of patience the master shows you his techniques.

Pale Rider

 

[kvnsll]

That is a amazing revolver. I would like one like with Cary's mesquite grips.

 

[Iowegan]

I bought the grips from a member on the "other" forum. You can find the same ones (except no Ruger medalion) here: http://www.grips4guns.com/index.html

Pale Rider, Gunsmith school in Trinidad, CO, 31 years of owning my own shop. Yes, it started with the most simple tasks and a lot of floor sweeping.

 

[gunman42782]

Looks great!!

 

[Baldy]

Iowegan you sure learned your lessons well. That sure is a beauty you got there. Glad to here it shoots as good as it looks. Good Luck with her.

 

[powder smoke]

Her's another special run convertable 32-20 and 32 HR real sweet shooter.Not sure if they did 357/9M but I think they did a 40S&W and 10M. Phil

 

[Calvin Wiles]

Very nice Powder Smoke.

 

[RNettles]

Man that is one sweet lookin' Ruger... I'm jealous!

 

[RNettles]

The reason I am looking for a .357/9mm convertible is that I have the Ruger P95DPR. I'd like to standardize on the 9mm for "cheap" range work, and do the .357 for walking through the backwoods of the Ozarks while hunting, speacial occasions.

 

[Iowegan]

I've owned a few Ruger BH convertibles in 357/9mm and have test fired dozens. Though the guns were very accurate with 38 Specials or 357 Mag ammo, they just didn't make the grade with 9mm ammo. The bore is .357" and bullet diameter if a 9mm is .355". That token .002" makes a big difference in muzzle velocity and of course accuracy. It's not unusual to see sub-inch groups with 38s or 357s at 25 yards. The best I could get with 9mms was about 3" groups.

In the 45 convertible, both the 45 Colt and ACP rounds use the same bullet diameters and accuracy is excellent with both.

I do have to admit, the 357/9mm guns with the 9mm cylinder are fun to shoot and a good way to dispose of excess 9mm ammo.

 

[peace]

Those are some nice revolvers. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ron Honner]

Beautiful revolver Iowegan. I agree the .45 convertibles are more accurate. However, if one considered the modest cost of both the 357/9 and the 45/45 convertibles in blued, most shooters can have one of each.

I favor stainless. I have to find one like yours. Thanks for sharing!

Iowegan...remember when Ruger made a stainless Blackhawk in 357/9. Twenty years ago, the prices were $700+ for those convertibles.

 

[Taurus_9mm]

Very nice revolver eye-candy.

 

[jaredshs]

GREAT!