Ruger Vaquero Instructions Manual

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AMMUNITION
The table below shows the correct type of ammunition for use in each of the
revolvers listed.
Model Caliber Ammunition
Vaquero, Bisley Vaquero .357 Magnum .357 Mag and .38 SPL
Vaquero & Bisley Vaquero .45 Colt .45 Colt
Vaquero & Bisley Vaquero .44 Magnum .44 Mag. and .44 SPL
Vaquero .44-40 .44-40 reg. & high speed
!WARNING - LEAD EXPOSURE
Discharging firearms in poorly
ventilated areas, cleaning
firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in
exposure to lead and other
substances known to...

Any time the revolver is loaded, the hammer is
cocked and the trigger is pulled and held to the
rear, it will fire. Cocking the gun or pulling the
trigger should only be done when you are ready
to fire immediately.
NEVER DROP OR STRIKE ANY REVOLVER –
COCKED OR UNCOCKED. CARRY AND HANDLE
THE REVOLVER IN SUCH A MANNER THAT
THE HAMMER WILL NOT BE STRUCK.
NEVER CARRY ANY REVOLVER
WITH THE HAMMER COCKED.
12
!WARNING – AMMUNITION
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition,...

When firing any revolver, be sure all persons are a
safe distance to the rear of the shooter. When fired,
all revolvers discharge gas and particles through the
clearance gap between the cylinder and the rear of
the barrel. These particles of lead, powder grains or
lubricant are projected broadly sideways at high
speed and thus can injure a person who is standing
too close to the revolver. When firing any revolver,
always be certain that nothing – including either of
your hands – is in the path of the hot...

The safe carrying position for the
Vaquero and Bisley Vaquero
Revolvers is with the hammer
fully down and the trigger
forward. In this position the
hammer does not contact the
firing pin. See page 10. In older
(1953-1972) Single Action
Revolvers, the hammer, when in
the full forward position, does rest
against the firing pin.
Accordingly, never car
ry an “oldmodel” revolver with the hammerfully forward and the cartridge inline with the firing pin because alight blow to the hammer canreadily cause...

15
TO ‘UNCOCK’ (DECOCK) THE REVOLVER
If your revolver is cocked, and you wish to let the hammer down to its forward
position (against the frame), proceed as follows: USE EXTREME CARE WHEN
ATTEMPTING TO DECOCK THE REVOLVER, AS THE THUMB SLIPPING
DURING THIS PROCESS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE IF
THE TRIGGER IS HELD TO THE REAR.
1.Make cer
tain that the revolver is pointing in a safe direction (See Rule 2, Page
35).
2. Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way – gloves,
bandages,...

16
The revolver is now in its normal carrying condition -- hammer and trigger fully
forward and transfer bar lowered out of firing position.
CAUTION:The hammer must be carefully eased fully forward before
the hammer is drawn back to the full-cock position for the first shot.
The hammer should be drawn with a firm positive motion to the full-
cock position for each shot, thus actuating the working parts for complete
indexing. Unless this procedure is followed in any single-action revolver, the
cylinder is...

Never clean, lubricate,
disassemble or work on a
revolver while it is loaded.
Never install or remove a loaded
cylinder. A loaded cylinder can
discharge if dropped or struck.
Read instructions before
disassembling gun.
UNLOAD BEFORE CLEANING
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Do not eject unfired cartridges onto any surface where the cartridge primer
might strike a solid object and discharge the cartridge.
CORRECT UNLOADING SEQUENCE
!WARNING – DISASSEMBLY
3
12
4
REPEAT
FOR ALL
CHAMBERS
The user of a RUGER®VAQUERO or BISLEY...

18
The tip of the screwdriver blade should perfectly fit the grip frame screw slots. A
tip too large will scrape away metal, while too small a tip will damage the screw
slots.
Before taking the gun apart, set up to do it properly. Cover the work surface with
a soft cloth so that the gun finish (and sights) will not be damaged, and provide a
tray into which the parts can be put as they are removed from the gun
.
DISASSEMBLY
(Make Sure Revolver is Unloaded!)
1. Open the gate and rotate the cylinder a few...

19
7. Remove cylinder latch, gate detent spring, and gate.
8. Remove hammer pivot. Then remove the hammer/pawl assembly and the
trigger/transfer bar assembly. (Note that the hammer is attached to the pawl
and the transfer bar is attached to the trigger. See Figure 2).
The revolver is, at this stage, disassembled as far as it needs to be for major
cleaning and maintenance. However, if it is necessary to go beyond the above
steps, the following cautions and suggestions should be useful:
Ejector/Ejector...

20
3. Replace cylinder latch and gate detent spring as shown in Figure 3. Note that
the lug on the cylinder latch fits between the arms of the gate detent spring
and that the end of one of the arms of the spring is formed at a 90 degree
angle. The projection thus formed, is designed to fit through the square hole
in the bottom of the frame and to ride on the cam surface of the gate pivot.
Note also that this projection holds the loading gate back and in place.
4. (Refer to Figure 1, p. 19). Depress the...