Broken Transfer Bar In Ruger Vaquero

[KyFarmer]

I just broke the transfer bar in my SS Vaquero this afternoon.  How much trouble will this be to replace.  Will it need to be done by a gunsmith or can I do it myself?  Before I order one are there any other small parts, springs, etc that I likely will need.

I doubt that I have over 7-800 rds thru this one.  Never had anything like this happen before to my other Ruger Handguns.

Thanks for any help or advice.  KyFarmer

[BlkHawk73]

  Can happen.  It's an easy change out too.  Get a new transfer bar from Brownell's or Midway (Ruger might not sell them to non-gunsmiths) and if not done already, get a spring kit to make the action feel a bit better.  pretty simple to figure out without an instructions but if stuck, consult your manual.

[Luckyducker]

There were a certain production run of Vaqueros that had problems with the T-bar breaking, it was right after W.B. Ruger passed away but before the second generation "new" Vaquero was brought out.   The company will or shall I say has sent the replacement part free of charge if you call them, or they will repair the gun free of charge if you send it back to them for service.   The transfer bar is not rocket science to replace but watch carefully the order of removal of parts so you can replace them correctly.   If you want to do a spring kit (Wolff?) you might as well do that also while you are into it, but that would need to be ordered from a parts house.  I have purchased them from Brownells and the shipping seems to be a lot cheaper than Midway.   Hope this helps.

[blhof]

I've replaced springs in my Single six, Old army and Blackhawk and while there, cleaned up and lubed all the moving parts.  They are fairly simple to work on, but as said above; pay attention to how you dis-assemble, to put back in same order.

[Glanceblamm]

pretty simple to figure out without an instructions but if stuck, consult your manual.

The instructions in that manual are pretty straight forward, if you dont have one I believe that they can be downloaded for free.

[44 Man]

It can help if you have a 'third hand' when you re-assemble the trigger pin back into the gun.  It's not difficult but you have to hold the spring in position, also align the trigger hole with the hole in the frame while you slip the trigger pin back in.  Definately easier to have you wife slip the pin in as you hold things in alignment.  Or Brownells, sells a handy little tool to hold the 'U' shaped spring while you put the other parts in.  44 Man

[Blackhawker]

I broke a transfer bar in my Blackhawk a few years ago.  I tend to be one who likes to take things apart and I'd have to say that a Blackhawk/Vaquero is a pretty simple handgun to take apart and put back together again.  If you do this however, you might want to make sure you have the correct punches if you want to be sure not to mar up the pins and/or not gouge up anything on your gun.  I got my extra parts from Ruger.  They will sell the parts to non-gunsmiths...at least they did a few years ago. 

One word of caution;  be careful not to scratch or gouge the surface of the gate detent spring when re-assembling the gun.  If you do this, the gate will not open correctly and you'll probably end up gouging the hinge surface area of the gate.  If this happens you'll end up making a second order from Ruger for a new gate and gate detent spring and have to do the whole process over again.  I know, because I did this the first time I took my first Blackhawk apart.  Aside from that word of caution, if you're a handy type person, one could probably take apart and re-assemble a Blackhawk (New Model) in about 10 to 15 minutes...excluding barrel removal of course.

Good luck!