If you know what the Ruger Vaquero is, then you probably have a passion for western wheel guns. In the world of guns, most people either like six-shot, single-action revolvers or they don’t. But some of us just like all kinds of guns.
Just about every type of firearm represents a certain time and culture that is now part of our history. Each one has its own following of what I like to call “gun groupies.” People in these groups study, educate, and try to keep those memories alive that made the gun so popular in the first place.
My knowledge of Western-style revolvers is limited compared to some. I’m more of a WWII to present kind of guy. But even someone like me can’t ignore how cool these western-style revolvers are. I got my hands on a Ruger Vaquero and just had to write about it.
Why own a classic Western revolver?
Ok, so from a realistic standpoint, they’re about as practical today as a horse-drawn buggy at a NASCAR race. But that’s not the point, is it?
They are a piece of history you can hold, shoot, and admire. And for those of us grown adults brave enough to admit it, even pretend we are cowboys from time to time…
The Ruger Vaquero is a gun I have admired for a while. It’s a tribute to a bygone era, where gunfights happened at high noon, and nobody worried about striker-fired triggers or red dot optics.
Today’s gun world is filled with polymer frames, high-capacity mags, and modular platforms. Yet, there is a sizable number of gun owners who own one of these classic, old-school revolvers.
Ruger Vaquero .357 Wheel Gun
Ruger’s New Vaquero is a frontier-style revolver—more commonly known as a cowboy gun. The version I’ve been shooting is chambered in .357 Magnum and finished in a polished stainless-steel frame.
If you plan to shoot it for fun, I like the .357 because it’s a lot cheaper to shoot than a .45 long colt, especially if you don’t reload your ammo.
The shiny, polished stainless steel looks like something John Wayne would’ve worn to a Saturday matinee. But today, a more fitting term would be “BBQ gun.”
Ruger called it the New Vaquero because it is their newer version of the original Vaquero. Ruger introduced the new version in 2005, refining the original pistol. The newer model was closer to the size and balance of the Colt Single Action Army revolvers of the 1800s.
A modern remake of a frontier gun
The Ruger New Vaquero is a little heavier than some of the other revolvers out there. Ruger built this gun to be sturdy and durable, and it’s built like a tank.
While it has all the looks of a cowboy gun, it’s made in a state-of-the-art facility. This means you get modern machining, finishes, and materials while keeping that classic look.
Ruger did a great job paying tribute to the 1873 Colt when they produced the New Vaquero. It is also available in the popular blue, case-hardened finish. But I really like the looks of the stainless-steel model we are reviewing today.
When ordering one, there are three barrel length options: 7 1/2 , 5 1/2, or 4 5/8. From my limited knowledge of Western revolvers, I’d say the two shortest barrel lengths are the most popular.
Even though this pistol looks similar to the original pistols carried by cowboys, some changes were made over the years. One of the most notable is the transfer bar. A transfer bar makes the Vaquero drop-safe, something original revolvers like this did not have.
Before the transfer bar was being used, some would leave one chamber empty so they wouldn’t have to worry about dropping it. If the hammer struck the primer of a cartridge, the gun could go off by accident. Other brands and models that stick to the original design still require this.
The New Vaquero also uses pins in the lockwork compared to the pre-1973 Vaqueros which used three screws. Back then, the older Vaquero were often called “three screw Vaquero’s.”
The classic “click-click”
One of the most universal sounds in the world is the sound of a shotgun being racked. When you hear it, you know what it is. Well, Ruger added what they call a “reverse indexing pawl” to the Vaquero, and it’s just as recognizable as the shotgun.
Of course, the clicking sound as you pull back the hammer wasn’t added to make the gun sound cool. It is to let you know the cylinder is aligned properly with the loading gate and the ejector rod housing.
I know this is a little childish, but those distinct clicking sounds are part of what I love so much about this pistol. It is so satisfying to hear the “click-click” as the hammer is cocked. It’s like mechanical music.
New Ruger Vaquero Specs
- Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
- Capacity: 6 rounds
- Barrel Length: 4.62 inches
- Overall Length: 10.25 inches
- Weight: 40 ounces (unloaded)
- Material: Stainless steel
- Grip: Hardwood
- Action: Single-Action
- Sights: Fixed blade front, rear notch
- MSRP: Around $900 (varies by model)
A piece of the Wild West
Let’s be honest, unless you are a competition shooter with these types of guns, it’s hard to justify buying one, right? But this is the kind of gun you buy because you grew up watching Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, and others. You probably won’t buy it because you need a home-defense gun. Although… let’s not forget six rounds of .357 will still ruin a bad guy’s day.
For a lot of people, cowboy guns like this connect us to legends of the past. I grew up watching movies like The Magnificent Seven, Tombstone, True Grit, and other classics.
Even those not into cowboy guns have heard of people like Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and Wyatt Earp.
These weren’t just lawmen or gamblers; they were legends who lived fast and shot straight. And while they didn’t have Rugers, the pistols they carried were the same type of six-shot revolvers like the New Vaquero.
These guns remind us of that dusty frontier era. Back when guns were works of art, not just tools. When quick-draw contests were a thing, and no one had ever heard of polymer rails.
Bianchi X15 Shoulder Holster
When you own a gun like this, the “style” will start to rub off on you. Many go searching for a good gun belt and holster that fit the style of the classic revolver.
But, some may want some other options for carrying a classic like this. One of my newest holsters is the Bianchi X15 Shoulder Holster. Like all of Bianchi’s holsters, it’s comfortable and well-made. It’s also just a little different from the norm, which I kind of like.
The Bianchi X15 shoulder holster is a great option for those who want to carry their cowboy gun on a hike, camping, or some other place than the saloon.
This classic leather rig might not scream “cowboy,” but it’s a practical and easy way to carry a gun like this. It distributes the weight of a heavy six-shooter like the New Vaquero evenly across your shoulders and chest.
The spring-closure system on the X15 securely holds the revolver in place, and it draws surprisingly fast for a shoulder holster. If you wear a jacket or coat, the gun disappears nicely while still being accessible. I’ve found this holster does need a break-in period before it really holsters and draws smoothly, but that’s not uncommon for leather holsters like this.
As you would expect from Bianchi, the leather is of great quality, and the finish and stitching are top-notch. It has an elastic shoulder strap that keeps tension on the holster, which is part of what keeps it up against your body so well.
Bianchi X15 Specs:
- Material: Premium full-grain leather
- Design: Vertical carry
- Retention: Spring closure with reinforced thumb break
- Sizes: Multiple (fits most large frame revolvers)
- Finish: Tan or black
- Adjustability: Fully adjustable harness system
- Price: Around $150
It’s not period-correct, but it sure is comfy. And if you’re bringing the Vaquero into the backcountry, the X15 is a smart, secure way to do it.
On the range with the Ruger New Vaquero .357
I’m not going to pretend I’m an awesome shooter with a cowboy gun. It’s much harder than it looks in the movies.
Even though it’s not a modern-style gun, it’s really fun to shoot. Because it’s a .357 Magnum, you can shoot .38 Special if you want a lower recoil and cheaper cartridge.
I fired a few different brands of ammunition and found that even the hotter loads were not that bad in this gun. This is mostly because of the weight of the New Vaquero.
This is a gun that would take some getting used to for any kind of speed and accuracy. Most of my targets were set up at 10 yards or less. This was so I could practice shooting with one hand, and of course, I had to try the classic stuff. You know, the quick draw and “fanning” for rapid shooting.
I’ve seen some videos of guys who can shoot one just about as fast as my semi-auto guns. But for me, it was slow, awkward, and not accurate at all. However, I did feel like a legendary gunslinger for just a few minutes on the range.
At the end of the day, I can say this gun was just as enjoyable to shoot as any modern gun. Heck, it may have been a little more fun.
Do you need a cowboy gun?
Modern guns are much more advanced than these types of old-school guns. They hold more ammo, shoot faster, and are much lighter. But again, people don’t buy them for a modern-day defense gun. They buy them because of what they represent.
If you are looking at getting yourself a cowboy action pistol, I would check out the Ruger New Vaquero before you make your decision. It’s not just built for looks, it was built to shoot a lot of ammo for years to come.
