Ruger SA Frames

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came up with our Ultimate Vaquero and chambered the first 2 test guns, which were the large frame Vaquero, in 475 Linebaugh. Both guns had hairline cracks in the rear top of the frame within about 20 rounds. The top strap is already thin due to the groove down the middle, and to put a larger 5 shot cylinder in there we have to take even more meat out of the top strap which makes it even thinner and more prone to stretch and crack with large caliber cartridges. It is true most of the strength is in the cylinder and in most case a blown gun blows the cylinder first but not always and the larger calibers will stretch a frame real quick. When we came out with our BMF on our own stretch frame we had 2 guys blow them in half. And these were some of the beefiest and strongest cylinders made. But nothing is idiot proof.

I don't believe the New Vaquero is totally safe with 44 Magnum rounds. Especially some of the extreme high pressure factory rounds from a couple of companies. It wasn't designed to be shot with these hot rounds. It was designed for the cowboy shooters that wanted a gun the same size and weight as the first generation Colt.

Some of the custom gun buys might jump on the larger calibers in the New Vaquero but not this Tennessee boy.

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