Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Vaqueros

6 years ago I bought a new Vaquero. Haven't shot it much and am dusting her off now.

Seems to me, there was something about replacing the pin that goes through the cylinder.

Be damned if I can remember the details and we know how well "search" works.

Planning on ordering a Wolf spring kit, would like to take care of the other at the same time.

One of you remember the details or where I get one? Seems to me it was an easy swap...

The base pin? Belt Mountain makes them. You can get replacements that either have locking screws or not. Stainless or not. Those with the locking screws are great if you are going to run heavier loads so as to keep the base pin from working its way out tying up your cylinder or losing the base pin.

Could be you're talking about swapping in the Belt Mountain base pin? Check midway, brownells, maybe others. You can also order direct from Belt Mountain's web site.

Had to run and look to make sure of the maker, but Power Custom also has'em.

That's it!

Thanks guys - it's a bitch getting old.

teal,

The chances of needing a new base pin are pretty slim, but an aftermarket won't hurt anything either.

Your spring kit should include a new spring for the retaining button for your base pin. It will be more stronger and should prevent it from slipping forward with most loads.

This.

Sweet! thanks - was unaware. I'm going to order that kit here shortly. Sorta holding off until I know if I'm going to score that Bisley or not from Lipsey's - get 2. Prob should just order both and call it good.

maybe its just that i am not shooting heavy bullets in my new vaquero, but i have never had an issue with the base pin or anything else for that matter.

I've had the base pin in my Flattop slide forward with the standard spring when shooting 260gr. stuff.

But lots of people buy them just to tighten tolerances. They have no real "need" for them.

Be aware that the Belt Mountain pin may need some minor fitting to work, mine did.

I am holding off on the pin - ordered the spring kits from Power Custom. He's got some excellent smithing videos on YouTube for all of it.

Well maybe not excellent but good enough to talk a guy into taking his stuff apart and think it's a good idea lol.

There's a few things to consider before replacing the base pin. Upon firing the bullet briefly resides in both the cylinder throat and the forcing cone with peak pressure driving it. It's critical that there is either sufficient alignment or enough wiggle to accommodate the process. If there isn't sufficient alignment or wiggle firing the pistol will soon hammer in some slop.

One possible outcome of installing a tighter base pin is holding the cylinder firmly out of alignment which won't add anything desirable and only accelerate wear. The best way to ensure that doesn't happen is a range rod. The range rod will help you decide beforehand if a tighter base pin is even necessary and afterwards determine you aren't causing more harm.

I support this decision.

I found exactly this via range rod on my 5 1/2" Bisley 45 Colt.

I also ordered the Kuhnhausen manuals for it. I hope they're as good as his 1911 books.

I've got the old Vaquero in .44 Magnum. Never had the base pin come loose under recoil.

Have a Belt Mountain base pin, locking variety, on order for my original Ruger Bisley Vaquero .45. There have been occasions on the range when the pin worked its way out while shooting some of my heavy loads. Not acceptable. I am currently shooting 325 gr. WFN cast bullets, at a MV of 1150 fps, my 'bear load'- there is some recoil involved.