Sight height on Old Vaquero?

[Niederlander]

Hello!  Does anyone know how high the front sight on the old model Vaquero is?  Looking at a project and I need to know this.  Thanks!

[Mustang Gregg]

I will check a pair of them that I know have not been filed. 
I think you will find that they are different heights depending on caliber and barrel length.

Mustang

[Niederlander]

That would make sense.  This would be on the 7 1/2" and the 4 5/8" .44 versions.  Thanks for checking!

[Mustang Gregg]

I have not had a chance to check yet.
We are moving this week.

MG

[Niederlander]

Where ya' going?

[treebeard]

Neiderlander--I pulled out my 7&1/2 inch old Vaquero and got .400 +/-. Caliber is 45LC. Hopes this helps.
I found that these sights were regulated for the heavier 250+/- grain bullets at the close range shooting
That CAS shooters compete at. Shooting 200 gr bullets made a significant point of impact difference at
These ranges. Maybe some of the CAS people can share their experience with bullet weights  when using
Factory original old Vaquero sights.

[Niederlander]

That helps!  Thank you!

[Mustang Gregg]

I just checked 3 pairs of .44 Mag K-Vaqueros.
I KNOW that one of these  have been filed.
4.6" are .375" tall.
5.5" are .345" tall.
7.5" are .345" tall.

All were measured from top of barrel surface (at rear of sight blade) to top of blade.

Mustang Gregg

BTW:  The .44 & .45 models are supposed to be the same height.  The .357's are shorter.

[Niederlander]

Thank you, Sir!  That just may work.......more research needed.

[pony express]

Ned, I/m not sure if a Vaquero front sight will be tall enough for your 3 screw Blackhawk project. I measured my 3 screw .357, 6 1/2" height is .500, and on my Old Army .44, 7.5, it's .435 You might need a higher front sight to get POI with the adjustable sights.

[Niederlander]

I was going to replace it with a .450 front sight from Power Custom, or just make one, but I don't know if it will work anyway.  Still checking.  To be honest, I'd rather find a Super Blackhawk or .44 Special barrel.  One will show up eventually.  It's not like this has to be done next week.  I've got my 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum Blackhawk I rebarrelled to 7 1/2" to get me by until I get this one built.  I also put a Power Custom hammer/trigger set in it.  It shoots really well.  I just like the old 3 Screw .357 frames better.

[pony express]

I know what you mean, I first started CAS with a 6 1/2" .357 three screw, and a 4 5/8" New Model. Kept trying to half cock the New Model at the unloading table. Eventually got a second matching Three Screw to clear up the confusion. A .44 on the smaller frame would be nice.

I was sorely tempted by a NM .41Mag that came in and out of my local gunshop several years ago, but then it got sold the final time and didn't come back. If it'd been a three screw, I do believe the temptation would have been too great for me to resist.

[pony express]

Well, now you got me to thinking.....if I could find a .41 barrel and cylinder, for my second three screw.... but when I look on line a little, there's plenty of .357 barrels for sale, but that's about it. Guess lots of others converted .357s into something else.

[Niederlander]

I'm not sure the .41 conversion would work without having a .357 cylinder rebored.  The .41 Magnums were built on the larger frame.  I have heard of people building ".41 Specials" out of Colt single actions, but I bet that's expensive. 

[pony express]

I think the three screw .41s were on the regular Blackhawk frame, only the .44s became the Super Blackhawk. If I got one, I'd probably load it down a bit, I'm sure it packs a punch on both ends. I have a S&W .41 with the long 8 3/8 barrel, and it's about all I want to handle. Don't have any desire for .454, 480, or .500s!!

[Niederlander]

One of the guys in our local club brought his .500 Smith & Wesson one day, and I shot three rounds through it.  I hit all the bowling pins I shot at, but I decided three rounds was MORE than enough!