Today I just bought a new Ruger Vaquero birds head .45LC and when I got home and started testing it, I noticed the guide rod wont go all the way in. I disassembled it and realized that it is about 1/8" too long. Has anybody else had this issue? A quality replacement is only $25 but geez, this is a brand new gun.

Send it in and have Ruger make it right. No reason to work on a brand new gun.

I bought one in stainless about 12 years ago. Shot less than abox of shells through it. The Birdshead designed pistols are supposed to be comfortable to shoot, but the factory Ruger is made really wide at the base. Might try some cowboy action loads or some reduced power before you let it rip. It will want to roll out the bottom of your hand. Just my experience with it.

Bought new at a retail store?

By "guide rod" are you referring to the cylinder base pin on which the cylinder rotates? What's really odd is ALL New Model Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks (40+ years worth since the 3-screw was replaced) plus ALL full size and shrunk newer style Vaqueros use the same base pin length and diameter. Makes me wonder if some parts got mixed up at the store since the only other single action Ruger pin I can think of that would remotely fit would be from a Single Six and would be shorter, not longer.

Can you post a picture?

If it's Ruger's problem they'll fix it but it's a hassle to send one back and you may not have to depending on the circumstance under which you acquired the gun. The store may have another gun with a too short pin.

Dumb question but you have the gate open and are depressing the latch button right? No insult intended but sometimes they're a little difficult to get lined up.

Post pics if possible.

What GG says. Leave the loading gate open and fiddle with cylinder rotation as you seat the base pin. Sometimes playing with the base pin release button helps too.

Thanks for the input guys and no insult taken GG. I bought it from a local gun store (not a big box store)and am going to go see them about it tomorrow. I have tried every way I kmow how to get it to go, rotating the cylinder, without the cylinder, pushing in the base pin, with the pin removed, etc. I also have e-mailed the help line at Ruger so we will see how this goes.

.....and?