| The Ruger Vaquero has undoubtedly become the | | | | legendary strength of the Blackhawk frame and |
| king of the single action revolvers. First introduced | | | | action and then slimmed down the profile to |
| in 1992, the Vaquero was an adaptation of the | | | | match that of the old-world Colt Single Action |
| Blackhawk frame with the same trigger, action, | | | | Army. This truly is a 21st century handgun will all |
| and hammer but was designed for the fast draw | | | | of the look and feel of yesteryear. |
| of Cowboy action shooting with fixed sights and | | | | The first thing ruger did was to slim the profile of |
| smooth edges. The Vaquero has grown rapidly in | | | | the handle and frame. Like the Colt, the handle |
| popularity due to its rugged construction and | | | | not longer feels large in hand. It is quickly acquired |
| affordable price tag. If you attend any major | | | | from either the hip holster or crossdraw holster |
| SASS event, the Ruger Vaquero will be the | | | | and slimmer handle allows for increased control |
| common carry gun of a majority of competitors | | | | when rapidly firing. The slimmer handle also |
| and observers. | | | | appeals to smaller shooters, like women who are |
| Ruger has always demonstrated excellent | | | | actively increasing in CASS shooting competitions. |
| marketing analysis and have been able to | | | | Ruger also recognized the competition niche of |
| capitalize on the insight. The Vaquero was | | | | the Vaquero so the wood grips were replaced |
| perfectly designed to match a niche in an | | | | with a better gripping checkered hard rubber. |
| exploding market. Cowboy action shooters were | | | | Change always come with loss and in this case it |
| looking for a new firearm which was affordable, | | | | is the 44 magnum caliber. The slimmer profiled of |
| accurate, and reliable. The most common gun | | | | the new model Vaquero will not accommodate |
| prior to 1992 was the Colt the SAA. The Colt has | | | | the power of the 44 and will not be produced. |
| history back into the 1800s when Sam Colt began | | | | The Vaquero is now only available in 357 mag/38 |
| his first production line of revolvers. However, in | | | | Special and 45 Long Colt. Due to cost and |
| the 20th century, the Colt Single Action Army | | | | regulations, both of these calibers have seen |
| was sometimes difficult to get, expensive to buy, | | | | increasing usage and sales. |
| and a reputation for weak springs which tended | | | | I was fortunate to enough to give one a test and |
| to give out under the duress of rapid fire | | | | found the gun to be extremely practical and great |
| competition. It was often thought the ideal gun | | | | for action shooting. It fits the hand great and |
| would be profile of the colt with the lockwork of | | | | allows for increased control especially with my |
| Ruger. We finally have it. | | | | less-than-large hand size. The gun also cycles |
| The original Vaqueros were Hybrid Blackhawks | | | | flawlessly, especially in rapid fire target acquistion |
| with cosmetic designs and deburred edges. While | | | | from a hip holster. Having a matched set or even |
| it had the appearance of a Single Action 19th | | | | 3 of them makes for the ideal action set up and |
| century handgun, it still lacked something. The new | | | | provides an authentic appearance when partaking |
| model Vaqueros are no longer hybrids, but rather | | | | in CASS events. |
| a model line all of its own. Ruger has taken all of | | | | |