Army grip compared to Vaquero (not New) grip

[Jeremiah]

I have not been able to try any Army gripped guns. I have tried out a Vaquero and liked it better than my Uberti SAA.  The grips felt a bit bigger.  How do Vaquero grips compare to Army grips?

Thanks

[Mako]

I think most of us know the old Vaquero has a larger grip than the new, the new has one closer to the Colt's SAA or Navy grip.

To answer your question,  the Army grip is longer than both Ruger grips.  I think the Old Vaquero/Black Hawk grip may be a bit larger in girth.  I don't have an old Vaquero, but I have a Hawkeye somewhere, I'll pull it out and compare the grip to an Army model.

I used to shoot a Blackhawk quite a bit and from my recollection, the Old Ruger grips remind me more of the Colt's Dragoon/Walker grip.   The Army grip is longer than those two Colt's grips.  The Army (cavalry) wanted the longer grip to help troopers hold the pistol while wearing gauntlets so Colt's designed the Army length grip accordingly.  I like the army grip because I have large hands and there is a place on the grip for my pinky instead of underneath the butt, but if I had my druthers it would have the girth of the Dragoon grip as well.

Regards,
Mako

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy JC,

I regularly shoot a pair of USFA Rodeos (SAA/Navy grips). I also shoot a 72 Open Top (larger army grip), a Schofield, and a Remington conversion. I like the USFA's best, and the Remington least, but when shooting, I really don't notice the difference.

I often pair the Open Top and Schofield or the Open Top and the Remington and don't notice any difference in the transition from one to the other. I have large palms with short fingers so I use a high hold on all the guns to get my short thumb up to the hammer (I shoot duelist/one handed). I think that that reduces the difference from one gun to the next.

I really don't know if that will help you, but I mention it because I was surprised at how little the grip differences made in the "heat of battle" (to me). Two handed shooters might feel differently about it.

Cordially,

Reverend Chase

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I used to shoot a Blackhawk quite a bit and from my recollection, the Old Ruger grips remind me more of the Colt's Dragoon/Walker grip...

That is exactly what Bill Ruger Sr. imitated as it is an excellent grip for most. 

[Jeremiah]

Thanks for the info and quick replies. This certainly helps me out. I have been lurking for a while and appreciate all the info the folks on this forum share.