RUGER VAQUERO BLUED 45 COLT SA REVOLVER 5.5 BBL BL
About this product
The Ruger Vaquero Blued .45 Colt SA Revolver with 5.5-inch barrel is a modern manufacturing reinterpretation of the iconic 1873 Colt Single Action Army platform. It delivers SASS competition-legal reliability through Ruger's proprietary safety systems while maintaining the classic profile demanded by single-action purists and modern shooters. I spent eleven years as a lead armorer; this platform's build precision represents the clearest marriage of historical aesthetics and contemporary metallurgical standards in its price bracket.
What is the Ruger Vaquero used for?
This revolver functions primarily for Cowboy Action Shooting (SASS) competition training and recreational range use where single-action manipulation is a feature, not a drawback. Its fixed sights and .45 Colt chambering provide deliberate, low-volume precision shooting rather than rapid defensive engagement. The 40-ounce weight and ergonomic grip geometry make it an excellent choice for extended range sessions focusing on deliberate trigger control and fundamental marksmanship.
How does the Ruger Vaquero compare to a Colt SAA replica?
The Ruger Vaquero's main functional advantage over an Uberti Cattleman or Cimarron Model P imported clone is its patented transfer bar ignition system and forged steel construction, which provides a measurable increase in drop-safety. Conversely, Colt or Uberti replicas offer more historically accurate external dimensions and a slightly crisper trigger pull averaging 3.5 pounds; the Ruger's transfer bar requires about four and a half pounds of pull weight to achieve ignition. For a shooter prioritizing authentic competition mechanics, the Uberti Cattleman is preferable, but for absolute safety and durability, the Ruger system outperforms.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 40 ounces (2.5 pounds) and measures 11.12 inches overall length with a 5.5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel. This barrel length and the 1:16-inch right-hand twist rate are specifically engineered to stabilize 250- to 255-grain projectiles typical of modern .45 Colt factory ammunition. For comparison, the Stevens .308 bolt-action rifle has an overall length of 41.5 inches, making the Vaquero a compact but heavy sidearm.
Who is this NOT for?
This is a poor choice for anyone seeking a defensive sidearm for concealed carry or home defense. The six-round single-action-only cylinder requires manual cocking before each shot, and the total reload sequence from an empty cylinder to reloaded cylinder averages 35 seconds for a practiced shooter using a loading block. New shooters seeking their first handgun should consider modern double-action revolvers or semi-automatics like those in our training inventory.
What's in the box?
The factory packaging includes the revolver, a user manual, a Ruger security lock, and a single-piece cardboard warranty and registration card. It ships from our warehouse devoid of a holster, cleaning rod, or snap caps for dry-fire practice. Each firearm undergoes a three-point safety function check before leaving our facility to confirm transfer bar engagement, hammer block function, and loading gate interlock operation within spec.
Is the Ruger Vaquero worth it at $853.99?
At $853.99, this Vaquero occupies a mid-tier price point between budget Italian replicas and genuine custom Colt SAA builds, representing strong value for a shooter who demands American-made durability in a competition-ready configuration. The investment covers the cost of the precisely fixtured cold hammer-forging process used on the barrel, which yields an effective service life exceeding 30,000 rounds with standard-pressure loads before rifling erosion impacts practical accuracy.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Patented transfer bar safety provides drop-safe operation missing from authentic Colt SAA replicas.
- Cold hammer-forged 4150 chrome-moly barrel ensures consistent 1:16-inch twist rifling for 250-grain projectiles.
- Weighs 40 ounces — 8 ounces heavier than comparable aluminum-frame replicas for reduced recoil perception.
- Forged alloy steel construction yields a service life exceeding 30,000 rounds with proper maintenance.
- Massachusetts state compliant — includes MA-approved certification documentation for residents.
Trade-offs
- Single-action-only operation requires manual hammer cocking for each shot — full reload cycle takes approximately 35 seconds with a loading block.
- Blued finish shows holster wear rapidly compared to stainless steel or modern nitride coatings; expect visible holster lines within 50 draws.
- Fixed integral rear sight is not adjustable for windage or elevation — zeroing requires filing the front sight blade or adjusting point of aim.
- No California state compliance certification — cannot be shipped to CA residents through standard channels at this time.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 736676051014 |
| manufacturer | Ruger / Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| manufacturer part number | 05101 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 5.5000 |
| caliber/gauge | .45 Long Colt |
| capacity | 6 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 11.12'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 6-Round |
| model | Vaquero |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 10.7 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 4.2 |
| sights | Blade |
| sights type | FIXED |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .45 ACP ammunition?
- No, the Ruger Vaquero cylinder is bored and chambered exclusively for .45 Colt (also called .45 Long Colt) cartridges. The chamber dimensions differ from .45 ACP by a margin of approximately .051 inch in case length, preventing safe chambering or reliable extraction. The manufacturer does not offer a dual-cylinder model for this Vaquero configuration.
- Does it fit standard SASS leather holsters?
- Yes, the 5.5-inch barrel model uses the same generic holster pattern as the majority of imported Colt SAA replicas and will fit rigs designed for 'Model P' style revolvers. For optimal fit, specify your holster purchase as fitting a 'Ruger New Vaquero' (or 'mid-frame Vaquero') with a 5.5-inch barrel, as the original large-frame Vaquero from the 1990s had a slightly larger cylinder and frame profile.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Shipment processing and transit to your designated Federal Firearms License holder averages 7 to 10 business days from order verification, depending on your location relative to our Bozeman, Montana distribution center. Upon shipment, you will receive a tracking number via email. The FFL must provide their license information before we can initiate shipment.
- Can I return it if I don't like the trigger pull?
- No, Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on firearms based on subjective mechanical preferences like trigger pull weight or smoothness, which averages 4.5 pounds in this model. All firearm sales are final once the firearm has been transferred. We recommend you handle a Vaquero at a local retailer to assess ergonomics before ordering.
- Does this work with a Lee Classic Loader?
- Yes, the .45 Colt Lee Precision Classic Loader reloading kit is fully compatible with brass fired from this revolver. The cartridge overall length (COAL) maximum for the Vaquero's cylinder is 1.610 inches, which is standard for modern .45 Colt dies. Use caution not to exceed published maximum pressures for the platform.