Quote from: dakota1911 on July 29 2014 03:02:15 PM MDT
Nice.  I forgot they even made that guy.  Something else to add to my mental list of 200 or so used guns I look for in gunstores.

A couple of months ago there was a guy asking $5,000 Buy It Now for consecutive numbered .40 S&W Vaqueros.  I don't know if they sold, but the last bid I saw of $1800 didn't make reserve.

This Vaquero is the older model...there is a huge distance between charge-holes in the cylinder.  It is built on the .44 Magnum frame.  I also have one in .45 Colt that can be loaded hot according to the various manuals I have.  The New Vaquero's have a MUCH smaller frame and the .45 Colt must be kept to SAAMI pressure limits.

Quote from: Papajohn on November 30 2012 11:43:22 PM MST
I remember seeing those when they came out and I considered getting one, but I'm just not a single-action guy.  IIRC it came with dual cylinders in 40S&W and 38/40.  Neat idea having it reamed out!

This one only came in .40 S&W.  I toyed with the idea of getting a spare cylinder for 10mm and one for 38/40.  For a 38/40 cylinder, Cylinder and Slide said I'd have to re-barrel it as the dimensions between 38/40 and 10mm were too great.   I called Ruger, to see if they had a conversion cylinder...since mine was only made in .40, they said NO.

I figured that the revolver only cost me $250 brand spanking new, so I wasn't out much if the conversion didn't go well.  It works great though!  I've not gotten any bullets to reload yet, but the Buffalo Bore Heavy 10 mm in 180 grain shoots nice, and with authority.

I've got several; .45 Colt, .45 ACP, and .44 Magnum, but I just picked up this 657-2 .41 Magnum and am itching to try it out.



My Classic Hunters:

It originally started off as a 150th Anniversary Edition for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department back in 2000.  I picked up a "blemished" model (the lettering was off) for $250.00 and used it a few times.  The .40 S&W cartridge leaves me underwhelmed, especially in such a large frame, so I chucked it in the safe.  Earlier this year I thought I'd try a conversion.  I contacted Hamilton Bowen, Cylinder and Slide, and several others who were either too busy or too pricey.  Alan Harton was fast, reasonable, and very good!  It shoots like a dream.  Now I'm looking to load up some 200-220 grain hard cast for shooting feral pigs.

Quote from: GoldBead on November 01 2012 08:11:38 AM MDTThe 10mm totally changes personality as it increases energy. Instead of a powerful pistol round, it acts like a rifle round, penetrating cover with authority, punching through instead of glancing off. Cars, doors, even at range become transparent. For the One Caliber man, this is the way to go. The 45 ACP, while a good round, does not display this behavior in a Tommy gun or an UZI because it never gets the Energy. The 357 Magnum in a lever gun, loaded correctly has this same "personality change" as the 125 grain bullets go from 1400fps out of a revolver to 2000fps out of a Marlin lever gun.

This is a valid point for the 10mm.  One of my favorite issue weapons was the H&K MP-5/10 10mm sub-gun.  Great for clearing a house, perfect size, almost ZERO recoil.  But it would easily reach out to 100 yards using our Federal 190 grain JHP duty ammo.  The Thompson (we have two 1928's in the vault) is very fun to shoot, but I liked the MP-5/10 better.  Alas, mine was recalled for maintenance and I was issued an M-4 (not that I'm complaining).

Just bore out the cylinder from .40 to 10mm, cut channel for rear adjustable sight, weld/solder on base plate for pinned in front sight, and bead blast the shiny stainless to matte.  Cost was ~ $400.00 for the whole works.  Mr. Harton is quite the gunsmith with a good reputation.

Exactly my thoughts...it will be a companion on my elk hunts.

I had an old .40 S&W Vaquero lying around gathering dust, so I sent it off to Alan Harton of Houston, TX, for a conversion to 10mm and addition of S&W J-Frame sights.  What do you think?  Now I need to load up some good ammo!

New member from the great American Southwest.  I've got a nice 10 mm Vaquero and am looking to pick up a Wilson 1911 in 10mm.