Vaquero Lites" or Vaquero II's?

[22lr]

Without having one of each to compare, how do you tell them apart?  Is the NRV that much smaller?  I haven't seen one "live" yet.

[Cyrille]

I have not 'hefted' a NV either but I did purchase a "New Model Blackhawk" and according to Ruger stats the "New Model Blackhawk" is 4 and 1/4 Ozs lighter than the OM Vaquero. The NV is about the same weight as the "New Model Blackhawk" and not nearly as strong as the OM Vaquero. The NV .45 LC with a 5 1/2 inch barrel weighs in at 40oz. The "New Model Blackhawk" in .45 LC, 5 and 1/2 inch barrel weighs in at 39oz (Ruger Stats).

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Grips are thinner, checkered rubber, shaped somewhat different. The hammer profile is different as well, although some have stated that theirs came through with the older hammers on them. There is a locking mechanism inside the grip frame on the spring rod, but it can't be seen from the outside and to lock it, you've got to take the right grip off unless you drill a hole there. The strut comes apart differently as far as the spring goes too. Side by side, you can see the difference..............Buck

[22lr]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I wonder why Ruger decided to go smaller and lighter with the Blackhawk, since it seems the trend is toward larger and more powerful ammo. (i.e. .500 S&W, etc.)

[Mustang Gregg]

AR Deadeye:

Here's the reason----
A lot of CAS guys said liked the "smaller" size of a Colt six-gun better'n the bigger OM Blackies & Vaqs.  And Ruger listened.   They made the New Vaqueros about 80% the original size, kinda like a Colt SAA. 
Trouble is---Ruger dropped the older style Vaqs & Bisley Vaqs.   
Now I've had more & more shooters (actually) tell me they like the older model Vaq's better.

I know I do.   I'm always on the lookout for good used OM Vaqs & especially Bisley Vaqs.

[Cyrille]

I definately have to agree with MG, Ruger should never have dropped the OM Vaquero. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have gotten into this game when I did and was able to aquire two OM Vaqueros in ss over the course of one year. As to why Ruger went smaller with the Blackhawk I suppose it was to reach a greater share of the market then they would've with just one revolver type geared toward the "Cowboy game" as MG said.
   By the way I had the privilige to fire the S&W massive .50 caliber revolver last weekend and as far as I'm concerned that is too much gun!
If I aimed at the side of a barn from the inside of the barn I'd probably hit the roof of the barn with that gun No sir I'll stick with my Ruger OM Vaquero in .45 Colt thank you. So much for bigger calibers in Revolvers as far as I'm concerned!

[RRio]

I am one who prefers the RNV over the RV.
The old Vaquero was just to big to feel comfortable in my hand. Had Ruger brought out this new one 10 years ago, most of the guns in my stable would be RNVs. I think Bill Jr. did a smashing job on the RNVs, actually fit my Colt sized holsters and the execution of the black hard rubber grips with the Ruger logo are just excellant.

[Cyrille]

That's yer druthers,
an Ah hav mine, sum people like vanilla an sum lik chcolate.
Me? Ah kinda favor an egg custard mahself.

[RRio]

I'm always on the lookout for good used OM Vaqs & especially Bisley Vaqs.

Mustang,

Check the CAS City Classifieds.

OM Vaquero for sale

[BlaiseNSaddles]

Well I have had both.  I like the newer ones a better becausse the smaller size fits my hands better.

I know the 50th Blackhawk was brought out on the smaller size but I did not think Ruger changed all the Blackhawks over?

Anyway sure wish Ruger would bring out a 44spl/44wcf convertable in the New Vaquero. 

[Mustang Gregg]

Rawhide Rio:

Thanks, Pardner!!!   I'll be lookin' into them.  I'm lookin' for a pair of 7.5" K-Vaqueros, too.  A new Pard is wantin' a pair to get started in SASS.
Do you ever shoot the el Diablo de Tucson match?  Or is that quite a drive for you?  We're gonna be there in April for it.

Mustang Gregg

[22lr]

Blaise,

I may have misread something, Ruger may not have changed all the Blackhawks to the smaller frame.  I may have just ass-u-me-ed that because of the information on the 50th model.

I am wishing for a 44spcl New Vaquero also,  It would go nice with my Browning B92.

[RRio]

Anyway sure wish Ruger would bring out a 44spl/44wcf convertable in the New Vaquero. 

Oh hell yes!!

Do you ever shoot the el Diablo de Tucson match?  Or is that quite a drive for you?  We're gonna be there in April for it.
Mustang Gregg

Mustang,
I tend to stay pretty close to home when it comes to the matches. Rio Salado is only about 6 or 7 miles from home. And I have one of those jobs where I have to do OT on the weekends alot, not to mention through the week. Tucson is about 130 miles for me. When is the Diablo match?

[Mustang Gregg]

RR:

The el Diablo de Tucson match is the 8th of April.
We are coming to Tucson for the wedding (the day before).
Still gotta get 3 days of lodging set up.  I am pondering Davis Monthan AFB Space A.
Or maybe out at Evergreeen Air/WAATS.  They have some decent rooms.

MG

[Marshall Mims]

Well, it is a shame that the old Vaquero is gone. Some of us would have enjoyed its availability. It will be interesting to watch the demand for the old ones drive the used prices up.

John