Wondering if anyone knows anything about the Ruger Birds Head (heard them called bird's beak, or birds neck) vaquero .45 LC ..can't seem to find any ...Just trying to find a wasy to see ballpark what they would run..looked on Ruger's website could'nt find..they used to be.

thank you

ned.

Welcome to the forum.

I'd check the gun auction sites, that is probably your best bet on availability and actual prices.

Good luck.

yeah, i've checked Gunbroker and Auction arms just surprised ...thought there would be more of them.

thanks !

nice forum you have here, can see all kinds of topics.

I had a birds head fitted to my 4 5/8" .357 Black Hawk, that I sourced from Brownells.

I can't say it lightened the carry weight, but it improved the balance and feel in a big way. It was a bit wider than the stock Ruger grip, and has a very nice feel in the hand.

I can't say how it would work on the SBH or a .45 Colt loaded hot, as the .357 is a pussycat in a BH by any comparison, and the extra weight really makes even the hottest .357's seem mild.

mine was found on an auction site and went for close to 500 dollars, IIRC.. in 45 colt it is pleasant with almost ten grains of unique and a light 265 grain keith cast bullet... never tried hotter yet... don't think I need to for most uses.. may go to a 300 grain but doubt it is necessary for deer or hogs in Louisiana
I like the looks, feel and handling of the birdshead ruger original vaquero... BTW as a fixed sight gun I was worried but it shoots exactly to point of aim with the mentioned loads... sweet... I would not wait too long to look diligently for one if you really want one, unless you are OK with converting another model to it... I have no beef with that and you could end up with an adjustable sight that way if that is your desire..
I like the looks of the vaquero a lot, it is my only vaquero and seemed prettier with the vaquero lines and the birdshead grip combined.. JMHO.
dk

in 45 colt it is pleasant with almost ten grains of unique and a light 265 grain keith cast bullet...dk

Well, that answers that question. :)

I'm surprised it was discontinued. The Birds Head grip on my gun is the best on all of my Ruger SA's.

In fact I ran across one on Friday at a gun emporium in the next town. Brand-new, and the asking price was $559. I have a fascination for this form of sixgun, but I think that if I get one it will be the Beretta Marshal at around $100-125 less. Not that the Beretta is a better gun, but it has a transfer bar safety like the Ruger, and is smaller, and since I don't care for the idea of magnum-level loads in a gun like that it should suit me just fine. Since the Vaquero is no longer in production, the Beretta is easier to find, too.

I got lucky when putting together a SASS set of handguns and found a used birdshead stainless in .45C for under $400. I have put about another $200 in work on it and it shoots like a dream. If I find another I plan to buy it and put it aside in the safe. I've never tried one in any other caliber, but they are sweet.

When I was rebuilding an early wrecked flattop Blackhawk to a 41 Special, I bought a brass birdshead gripframe with synthetic ivory grips from Qualite Revolver, through the Brownell's catalog.

Everyone who handles it loves the feel, and it certainly is eye-catching. Let's see if I can get an old and not very crisp photo to post...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/41gun.jpg
http://www.shootersforum.com/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/41gun.jpg%5B/IMG%5D

Rocky, will the brass frame hold up to .44 Mag, or heavy.45 LC ?

I cannot honestly answer that. I'd suggest you ask it of Qualite Revolver to be sure. I've had no problems at all firing 215 gr bullets to 1200 fps, but I've also shot VERY few of those. I stick to 900-1000fps for 99% of my shooting with the 41 Special.