Ruger NM Vaquero- 4 5/8" or 5 1/2"?

[35 Whelen]

I'm wanting to pick up a Ruger New Model Vaquero in 45 Colt. I just can't decide between a 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" barrel. This pistol will be a shoot-for-fun/carry around the place/sometimes hunting pistol.

I already have three SA .44 Specials: two Uberti's 1 ea. 4 5/8" and 1 ea. 5 1/2" and a Flat Top Blackhawk in 5 1/2". I honestly thought the 5 1/2" models would be more practical but find myself carrying and shooting the 4 5/8" daily.

What's the opinion here? Is the extra 7/8" of the 5 1/2" worth it in sight radius and increased velocity? Most of my shooting is 50 yds. but I also shoot a bit at 100.

Thanks!
35W

[Kraschenbirn]

I have an OM Vaquero in .44 and a old 3-screw BH in .357; both 4 5/8" and have never felt disadvantaged by the shorter barrels. Of course, if I know I'm going to be trying to hit something past 50 yards, I'll take my 6 1/2" BH every time.

Bill

[chsparkman]

I think you can't go wrong with either one. I have an old Vaquero .45 that is 5.5" and I love it. It's easy to carry in the field and the sight radius is just fine. If in the field you do a lot of sitting, the 4 5/8" might be easier to deal with.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I don't own a 5 1/2" SA, but own many 4 3/4" models, 5 Colts and 2 Rugers. My holsters are all for the 4 3/4" so if I bought a 5 1/2" I'd have to buy a new holster. Now I wish I'd have bought holsters for 5 1/2" then I could use the same holsters for both barrel lengths.

A friend loaned me a Colt clone AWA in .45 5 1/2" and I must say it was really to my liking. The balance and feel was superb. This from a guy who turned down a 4 3/4" US Firearms .45 for $850.00 NIB because it didn't feel right to me.

[jmort]

I like the look of the 4 5/8 much better and have owned two. Never owned a 5 1/2. Next one is going to be 4 5/8. Not a whole lot of difference between them ballistically, but to a very experienced shooter, it might make a whole lot of difference

[Tatume]

I have both, and I like both. If you drive a lot the 4-5/8" gun is more comfortable. If you're on your feet most of the day, the 5-1/2 is just as nice, and you get the benefit of a slightly longer barrel.

[44MAG#1]

if you can't shoot a 45/8's you can't shoot a 51/2 inch and vise versa. Velocity gain will be minimal. It's time we need to be reasonable. A slightly longer barrel is not magical. How well you hit is dependent on three things. trigger control, sight alignment and holding as still as YOU can. I am with jerry Michelek (sp) on trigger control. It is number one. I regularly shoot 45/8's guns and love them. Yes out to 100 yards offhand and not from the bench. They will do the job if the one holding the gun can. Barrel length will not turn a mediocre shot into an average shot or an average shot into an excellent shot on and on and so forth.
I think you get my drift.

[DougGuy]

+1 to what 44MAG#1 says. I preach dry firing until the sights do NOT move at all when the hammer falls, and you usually need a Wolff reduced trigger return spring to do that, the hammer spring is fine. That's about all the NM Ruger needs.

The 4 5/8" barrel gets the nod for ease of handling and balance. The birdshead Vaqueros are waaaaay cool but hard on recoil, but with the New Model, you won't be shooting loads that hurt anyway since that gun is safe to 23,000psi (same pressure ceiling as .45 ACP +P) but NOT SAFE to the 30,000psi pressures of the Ruger Only loads you can find in the load data so avoid loads marked .45 Colt +P if they are greater than 23,000psi pressures.

Any of the loads on this page would work for store bought ammo: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=7

And if you handload or cast, you have much more choices that will still be safe. Those are fun guns, I love mine but since mine is an Old Vaquero, she is quite a stomper with full steam loads..

[35 Whelen]

I've shot both, but the 4 3/4" WAY more. In my experience, there's not much difference:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/Single%20Actions/Ubertigroup-1mod_zpsa7642578.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/Single%20Actions/Ubertigroup-1mod_zpsa7642578.jpg.html)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/Single%20Actions/Ubertigroup100ed-2_zps0dccaed2.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/Single%20Actions/Ubertigroup100ed-2_zps0dccaed2.jpg.html)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/Single%20Actions/5_zpsdf17a411.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/Single%20Actions/5_zpsdf17a411.jpg.html)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/Single%20Actions/55100yds-ed_zps075131d0.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/Single%20Actions/55100yds-ed_zps075131d0.jpg.html)

...but I still like to hear the opinions of others.

35W

[shorty500M]

its all in the shooters taste i think. i prefer the looks and slightly muzzle heavier balance of the 5.5 but its just a personnal preference and no more. the velocity and sight radius advanages are nil

[Big Rack]

Check your state's hunting regulations my state (Ohio) has a 51/2 minimum length, I think.

[SteveUSP]

My Ruger Bisley Vaqueros were 5 1/2, when I was shooting SASS. My opinion is that if you were interested in long range accuracy, you wouldn't buy a handgun with groove/fixed blade sights. It is inherently short range. Old time cowboys chose matching rifle/pistol combos for that very reason. The pistol was handy, but use the rifle for long range. But maybe that is the challenge you're looking for. Since you stated a preference for carrying the shorter length, I think your decision is already made.

[DougGuy]

Check your state's hunting regulations my state (Ohio) has a 51/2 minimum length, I think.

On an autopistol, they measure from the breech face to the end of the barrel.

On a revolver, they measure from the recoil shield to the muzzle, which incorporates the cylinder and renders the 4 5/8" Vaquero or Blackhawk to be 6 1/2" in length.

Check with a game warden to be sure but North Carolina -used- to have a 5 1/2" barrel restriction, and that's how they measured it.

[Outpost75]

I have the 4-5/8" in the convertible. 45 Colt/ACP version and a 5-1/2" .44 Mag. Am happy with the pair, use the. 45 for recreational shooting, the .44 for hunting, the slight increase in sight radius does help, but I like the handy carry of the 4-5/8" .45 as EDC.

[Dale53]

I have a Ruger Bisley Vaquero with 5½" barrel. I bought it to shoot in black powder cartridge matches some years ago. I had a 4 5/8" Vaquero and decided I could do better with the slightly longer barrel. I was right. I won a number of matches with that handgun and cherish it. It would shoot under 2" at 25 yards with black powder (and Pyrodex) and the extra length seemed to recoil a bit less than the shorter barrel (full loads of 3F Swiss and a 260 gr bullet have relatively serious recoil when you shoot them all day). Off a bench the shorter Vaquero shot about as well as the Bisley but standing, I did better with the longer sight radius. At any rate, I was pleased with the longer barrel in direct comparison.

On the other hand, this is a personal preference thing and you just have to satisfy yourself. Me, I'll take the longer barrel.

Dale53

[44MAG#1]

I've shot both and own both and see no measurable difference in them. If there is a difference it is all in the mind. Of course if the longer barrel give you psychological advantage I say go for it.
I still say if one can shoot they can shoot. Like the guy that says he can shoot like a house afire at 25 yards and then says he can't shoot at 50 or a 100.
How does that happen?