Custom Ruger Bisley Vaquero 4 5/8″ 45 Colt/ACP Single Action Revolver, 1998
SOLD FOR: $1,500.00
LSB#: LSB260119KW033
Make: Ruger
Model: Vaquero (00590)
Serial Number: 56-98424
Year of Manufacture: 1998 / Modern
Caliber: .45 Colt / .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, 6 Shot Fluted Cylinder Revolver with Ejector Rod.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “56-98424”. The left side of the frame is marked “RUGER VAQUERO / .45 CAL.”. The side of the barrel is marked with a safety warning and the Ruger Southport Address.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8″ Cut down from 5.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall serrated blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch cut into the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The Bisley grips are two-piece checkered wood panels. There is faint handling wear throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. Overall the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore but there is some stubborn lead fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The cylinder shows a crisp thin turn line. There are light rub marks and scratches throughout. The case color frame has some small spots of fading. The frame has moderate thinning. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. Overall this revolver rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The actions function as intended. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. This revolver has a reverse-indexing pawl. The axis pin and ejector shroud have been trimmed.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1x Spare 6-shot .45 ACP cylinder, El Paso Saddlery leather holster.
Our Assessment: This Ruger Bisley Vaquero revolver, manufactured in 1998, represents a custom variation of Ruger’s classic single-action platform combining traditional styling with ergonomic enhancements. The Vaquero line was introduced to replicate the look and feel of Old West revolvers while incorporating Ruger’s modern manufacturing and safety systems. This example has been configured with the Bisley grip frame, hammer, and trigger, providing improved control and a more vertical grip angle originally designed for target shooting. The barrel has been cut down from its original length to 4 5/8 inches, giving the revolver a quicker handling profile consistent with traditional carry revolvers. This revolver is chambered in .45 Colt and includes a spare .45 ACP cylinder, offering versatility between two widely used handgun cartridges. The .45 Colt, introduced in 1873, remains one of the most iconic American revolver cartridges, while .45 ACP, introduced in 1905, provides a rimless semi-automatic cartridge adapted here for revolver use. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, earning a rating of 9 out of 10 with some lead fouling present. The revolver retains approximately 98 percent of its original finish with light wear, a crisp cylinder turn line, and some fading in the case-colored frame. The Bisley grip panels remain in Excellent condition with sharp checkering.
This revolver includes a spare .45 ACP cylinder and an El Paso Saddlery leather holster. The screw heads remain sharp and the pins are unmarred, with clear and well-defined markings throughout. The revolver is equipped with a reverse-indexing pawl system, aiding in cylinder alignment during loading. Overall, this custom Bisley Vaquero stands as a well-executed single-action revolver, combining classic styling, ergonomic improvements, and dual-caliber capability in a compact configuration. -R.E.