New 10mm Vaquero

[DR505]

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!

[Patriot]

Man, that would be a great hiking gun for bear defense.

[DR505]

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

[REDLINE]

Yep, that's pretty sweet!

[Intercooler]

Very neat! What was involved to convert it and wonder why they didn't rebadge it? Costly?

[DR505]

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.

[Intercooler]

Still takes Moon clips right?

[sqlbullet]

Single action gate load = no moon clips.  Load 'em one at a time.

[EdMc]

That's purdy, DR........I didn't know Ruger ever made a SA in 40 cal. Seems there's a lot I don't know...

[DR505]

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.

[505Gibbs]

A VERY nice job and a great choice! Should be a blast[literally] to shoot.

[Papajohn]

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!

[sgh]

Always wanted to do that when I was more in funds but never found a Vaquero .40 at a reasonable price.  I will have to be happy with the Buckeyes.

[DR505]

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.

[Harleycolt]

It would be nice to find one!