[wanderinwalker]

Hi all. I am curious about the accuracy of these revolvers, and the comfort factor in the heavier calibers. Reason being, when I turn 21 I plan on getting some kind of handgun. My dad and I HAD a pair of .44 Magnums, so I am very interested in getting another .44 (lots of ammo leftover). The Smith and Wesson 629 4" is a strong contender, but I'd like to hear about the Ruger single-actions a little more.

FWIW, the pair of .44s were Ruger SuperBlackhawks. One was a 7 1/2" and the other had been cut to 6". They were OK, but I never found the grip frames comfortable. Too big for my "small, girlish hands" and the square-backed trigger guard drew too much blood! :(

[Mordoc]

I had the same expierence with the Super Blackhawk in 44. I know have a 5.5" Bisley in 45 colt and I find it much more comfortable to shoot. It it also very accurate with 250gr. or less bullets. I have been told that Ruger offers a higher front sight for heavier bullets. I also have a 22 bisley. It has become my favorate plinker although it is not quite K-22 accurate. I may buy a 44 Bisley Vaquero in 44 because I like the looks.

[capbuster]

I recently purchased a Ruger .44 magnmum with the bisley type grip and have found it most comfortable for my shooting.

[capbuster]

P.S. I forgot your question about accuracy. I have not owned a single action revolver in over 25 years,so it was a real joy to buy this Bisley and find that it is most accurate as tested with my reloads at 25yds,50yds and beyond.

[Tamara]

...a 4 5/8" Ruger Bisley Vaquero in .44 Magnum, I'm happy to report that a mere five months after breaking both the radius and ulna of my shooting arm just above the wrist, the gun was tolerable to shoot with factory 240gr loads from Magtech and Winchester.

[wanderinwalker]

Tamara,
Sorry about the arm. Hope it doesn't bother later on in life. And thanks for the info, b/c that was pretty much the model I am considering. (Short, light, big-bore.)

I actually still have some 300gr loads I cooked up for tromping through the Northwoods with (and when I thought about bear hunting). Those might be bordering on interesting in something so small (relatively speaking). Fortunately I am fairly recoil-proof (pending testing by my uncle's .454)! And I cringe at the idea of putting those kinds of loads through a Smith.

Thanks all, much appreciated.

[Majic]

The Bisley design is very good for handling recoil. My .41 and .45 are very accurate (the .45 did need the throats opened before it became a really good shooter). The grip may seem a little big if you have small hands like you say. I use my friend as an example because he loves to shoot mine, but always complain of how large it feels. Thinning the grip panels may help if that becomes a problem.

[Jim March]

Amen to all other reports on the Bisley grip type. If you have smaller hands, either thinning the factory grip panels or buying the Eagle "Gunfighter" thinner grips will help a lot.

[wanderinwalker]

Well, honestly, I don't know as my hands are exactly as small as "small, girlish" may imply. I can handle Beretta 92s, 1911s, Glock 17s, Sig 220s, etc without any undue strain. (I actually feel as though the Beretta was made for me!)

Thanks for the input all. I may decide to get a Ruger instead of the Smith after all.

[Hutch]

Have a pair of 5.5 inch Bisquero's in .44M. I've only ever shot mild, cast "cowboy" loads, so I can't speak to the recoil issue. Accuracy was good, and got close to POA w/ 240gr bullets. The sights.... well, they are rudimentary. If I had it to do over, I'd'a gone with the Blackhawk, just for that reason. Puts me in a different SASS classification, that's all.

[Gator]

I love my Vaquero! That bright stainless finish had to go, so I had it lightly bead blasted.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid80/p94197c58347c3b3e98843b286b734a7a/fb066ba3.jpg

[Hkmp5sd]

I have the 7.5" Bisley and it is a tack driver. Recoil is less than with some of the lighter weight - shorter barreled .357s I own.

[Gordon]

When the Bisley model first came out I got one and imm. sent it to Larry Kelly to have the 7 1/2" barrel cut to 4 5/8" and a full on custom job. I have Eagle stag grips on it. Besides being a tack driver , it eats anything my 29's can't and calls for more! The recoil feels about half the 29s with equal loads.

[Shane]

Amen to all other reports on the Bisley grip type. If you have smaller hands, either thinning the factory grip panels or buying the Eagle "Gunfighter" thinner grips will help a lot.

It probably depends on the individual. I have smaller than average hands and I don't feel at all that my Bisley's grip is too large. It fits my hands very well--and for me it feels more natural ergonomically than the Vaquero style grips.

[MSB9021]

FYI, the 4 5/8" and 5 1/2" SuperBlackhawks come with the rounded trigger guard (standard on Blackhawks) and are probably better for a larger variety of shooters.
I have one 4 5/8" s/s Bisley-Vaquero (just like the one pictured above). Though I've had it several months, I only recently got a chance to really wring it out a the range. It is much more than I had hoped for. Comfortable to shoot, windage is near perfect, and elevation is close with my lead plinker reloads. Haven't tried the heavy stuff yet, but I believe I'll be equally pleased.
One bad note - I tried to order a matching specimen and have been told that they are to be dicontinued. My dealer could not locate a distributor with even one in stock, and they've been very good about finding whatever I request. Just my luck to find something so good and now it's to be discontinued. It's still on the website and this year's catalog - don't know what the deal it. If this is true and I decide I must have another one, I'll have to buy the parts and convert a regular Vaquero.

Edited to say: Well, Davidson's apparently has some .44 Bisley Vaqs left. I may try for one of those. Wish I could verify elsewhere that these are, indeed, being discontinued.