The Ruger Vaquero,I an older post I covered the classic Ruger Blackhawk introduced in 1955, whi

The Ruger Vaquero,I an older post I covered the classic Ruger Blackhawk introduced in 1955, which was kind of like an updated version of the Colt 1873 Single Action Army.  The Ruger Vaquero was a regression from the Blackhawk, using from and grip dimensions that were similar to the original Colt SAA.  While the Blackhawk was popular, there were still a large number of customers who wanted something that was more like a replica of the Colt SAA rather than an improvement of it. Unlike the Blackhawk, the Vaquero does not have an adjustable rear sight, but merely a fixed rear sight with traditional style leaf front sight.  The Vaquero was also chambered for traditional style “cowboy” or “Old West” calibers such as .44-40 and .45 Colt.  While Ruger was hearkening back to the olden days, the Vaquero still included some important features that made the Blackhawk popular.  First and foremost the Vaquero retained the Blackhawk’s transfer bar firing system.  A transfer bar is simple a bar located in between the hammer and firing pin. Rather than directly striking the firing pin, the hammer hits the transfer bar, which then transfers the energy of the hammer to the firing pin.  The transfer bar will only be in position when the hammer is cocked, if uncocked it rests tucked away below the firing pin.  The revolver can only be fired with the hammer striking the transfer bar.  Thus when uncocked it will not fire, preventing bumps and jolts from discharging it, a common accident with old single actions that lacked the transfer bar system.  Finally, while the Vaquero was chambered for old cowboy loads, Ruger also produces it in modern calibers such .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .44 Magnum.  The Ruger Vaquero is still produced today, a favorite among cowboy action shooters and Old West wannabes. Models are also available that mimic the Colt Model 1877 and 1878 as well as the Colt Bisley. -- source link

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