Nice to see Ruger comming out with a big bore Vaquero again, but I'm not sure how historically correct 44 special is. Maybe more so than the 357 magnum?
My fellow Brother at Arms Danny Bear Claw,
I had this same communication some time ago with "John Boy" and the "Warthog" group on that "Open Range" page of folks and it appeared to ME that the facts were met with copper bottom pan glasses and cotton ball ears on this subject of "Period Correct" calibers and what IS and IS NOT a "Warthog"; however, I wish to opine here at this
proposed question despite it being a bit off topic of the
Ruger 44 special Vaquero!
Soooooo VERY BRIEFLY (as I understands it):
In 1875 Colt Manufacturing Company introduced the
38 Long Colt (case length of 1.031 inch) and was the standard US Army cartridge in 1892 in the Colt New Army M1892 revolver and because of the poor stopping power experienced in the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) the 38 Long Colt was replaced by the 45 Long Colt. The 38 Long Colt morphed into the S&W cartridge 38 Special introduced in 1899 (C/L of 1.155 inch) as we modern gunners know that the 357 Magnum became the most powerful cartridge beating the Colt Walker Horse Pistol ( 44 caliber) in 1934 (C/L of 1.29 inch). I understands it that the extra case length is due to SAFTY so that the more powerful cartridge didn't blow apart inadequate cylinders; therefore, I contend that the 357 magnum is Period Correct as a 38 Long Colt with stopping power.
In 1869 S&W introduced the
44 American (C/L of 0.91 inch and external lube boolit). In 1870 the 44 Russian was introduced by S&W (C/L of 0.97 inch internal lube boolit). the 44 Special was introduced in 1907 (C/L of 1.16 inch) as a smokeless cartridge and I'm speculating that the extra case length is also of SAFTY so not to chamber these cartridges into "Holy Black" 44 American & Russian revolvers; therefore, I contend again that the 44 Special is a Period Correct cartridge with more stopping power.
I also humbly suggest that the pettifogger crotch shots of historical correctness stay over on the NCOWS board where the "Toughest Six Shooters" are generally "pshawed". I also ask (especially with the plethora of calibers in the 19th century) why would it be of any concern to anyone as to what caliber is historically correct of what someone is shooting other then to steal somone's joy in this "Game"? I'm positive, Danny Bear Claw Sir, that ALL your lever long guns are chambered in 44 Henry, 44-40 or 38-40 or maybe 32-20. Me, I'm going Historically INCORRECT with my Ol' Pard's (Pegleg Pete) 1866 Yellow Boy in 45 LC and a long time coveted and recently acquired pair of 45 LC Ruger SS OM Bisley in 512 bbl so I can go gun fight'n on the "Dark Side" with the Lt. Col some day soon!
IMHO
Respectfully,
Yeti76620
PS:I'm apologizing again to
ALL for being off topic 'cause that 44 Special is one fine caliber for the Vaquero to accompany the continually chambered Big Bore caliber 45 LC Vaquero.