45 Colt Ruger Bisley vs 45 Colt Regular Ruger Blackhwak
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Drifting Fate
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I had a .45 Colt Bisley which was just a wonderful gun. Sadly, college-era finances forced me to sell it, but I keep wishing I had found a way to keep it. It's on the "replace" list.
Driftwood Johnson
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Howdy
I have several 'original model' Vaqueros and a Blackhawk, chambered for 45 Colt. I had been shooting Cowboy Action for about a year when I decided to migrate to Black Powder. Everything I had read said that I would need the larger Ruger Bisley grip in order to cope with the heavy recoil of Black Powder. So I bought a used Ruger Bisley Vaquero chambered for 45 Colt. I shot it in exactly one match. Turns out, I prefer the standard plow handle grip, even with heavy recoiling Black Powder loads.
The thing about the Ruger Bisley grip is it is a bit longer, which allows one to comfortably cram the entire hand onto the grip. What I discovered is I prefer the standard plow handle grip, but I do not try to cram my entire hand onto the grip. Instead I curl my pinky under the grip. This allows me to grasp the gun a bit lower, which opens up about 1/4" of space between the knuckle of my middle finger and the rear of the trigger guard, which prevents my knuckle from being whacked by the trigger guard in recoil.
I sold the Ruger Bisley and used the money towards a 2nd Gen Colt, which I also shoot with full house Black Powder loads.
I have several 'original model' Vaqueros and a Blackhawk, chambered for 45 Colt. I had been shooting Cowboy Action for about a year when I decided to migrate to Black Powder. Everything I had read said that I would need the larger Ruger Bisley grip in order to cope with the heavy recoil of Black Powder. So I bought a used Ruger Bisley Vaquero chambered for 45 Colt. I shot it in exactly one match. Turns out, I prefer the standard plow handle grip, even with heavy recoiling Black Powder loads.
The thing about the Ruger Bisley grip is it is a bit longer, which allows one to comfortably cram the entire hand onto the grip. What I discovered is I prefer the standard plow handle grip, but I do not try to cram my entire hand onto the grip. Instead I curl my pinky under the grip. This allows me to grasp the gun a bit lower, which opens up about 1/4" of space between the knuckle of my middle finger and the rear of the trigger guard, which prevents my knuckle from being whacked by the trigger guard in recoil.
I sold the Ruger Bisley and used the money towards a 2nd Gen Colt, which I also shoot with full house Black Powder loads.
kilibreaux
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The Bisley design is about more than just the grip. The hammer spur location is different than on a standard model, as is the trigger. The Bisley was originally a target shooting design that has been resurrected due to the popularity of anything 1873-ish.
The Bisley is better for single-handed, slow-fire, target shooting, whereas the traditional grip and hammer spur design is FAR superior for rapid draw, cock, and fire.
If you get into CAS you'll likely not want a Bisley grip/hammer/trigger.
If you get into rolling your own HOT .45 Colt loads for hunting or field use, you will likely find the taller "hump" of the Bisley grip most satisfying.
The original 1873 grip frame was intended that the shooter's pinky finger grip the underside as this acts to stabilize the gun better during the cock cycle.
I hate to point this out, but you will also find that no Ruger grip profile can complete with the original 1873 Colt format...the difference may be subtle, but once you've handled a "spec" 1873 you'll find it very hard to accept any other pattern.
Of course the non-Vaquero Ruger can accept some amazingly stout loads and if you're partial to hopped-up .45 Colt loads you will NOT want a Vaquero, though you MIGHT want a Bisley.
In CAS you don't shoot such heated up fodder.
The Bisley is better for single-handed, slow-fire, target shooting, whereas the traditional grip and hammer spur design is FAR superior for rapid draw, cock, and fire.
If you get into CAS you'll likely not want a Bisley grip/hammer/trigger.
If you get into rolling your own HOT .45 Colt loads for hunting or field use, you will likely find the taller "hump" of the Bisley grip most satisfying.
The original 1873 grip frame was intended that the shooter's pinky finger grip the underside as this acts to stabilize the gun better during the cock cycle.
I hate to point this out, but you will also find that no Ruger grip profile can complete with the original 1873 Colt format...the difference may be subtle, but once you've handled a "spec" 1873 you'll find it very hard to accept any other pattern.
Of course the non-Vaquero Ruger can accept some amazingly stout loads and if you're partial to hopped-up .45 Colt loads you will NOT want a Vaquero, though you MIGHT want a Bisley.
In CAS you don't shoot such heated up fodder.
drastic_quench
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The Ruger Bisley is great, but isn't really a Bisley. It's grip is clearly much more based off of Elmer Keith's Last Word - which kept the Bisley hammer and trigger, but improved the grip -- sort of hybridizing the classic Bisley with the plowhandle.
Classic/original Bisley:
Keith's Last Word:
Ruger Bisley:
Classic/original Bisley:
Keith's Last Word:
Ruger Bisley:
Rob96
Member
I prefer the standard grip of the Blackhawk. Again it boils down to personal preference.
bannockburn
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I also prefer the plow handle grip of the Blackhawk over that of the Bisley.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
It looks like the Bisley grip frame would work well with long barrel revolvers that are muzzle heavy. Like 6" and more. Anyone here that can comment on that?
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What a great response. Thank you.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I have a little bit of everything and prefer the Ruger XR3/Colt SAA/Navy or 1860 Army grip for most loads under 1200fps. Although 1000fps is a happier medium. Coupled with the standard type hammer, it is a better configuration for fast work. The XR3-RED, with its greater room behind the triggerguard, does not work for me. I prefer the Bisley with a proper set of custom grips for handling heavy recoil. It's more comfortable in this role than anything I've ever shot. Folks like to compare it to the #5 but I find them to be too different for comparison.
The Colt Bisley design is also very comfortable and handled the 1200fps Keith .44Spl load very well.
The Colt Bisley design is also very comfortable and handled the 1200fps Keith .44Spl load very well.
The Ruger XR3, new or old, is identical to the Colt pattern. While the guns don't balance the same, any difference in the grip feel will be due to differences in grip panels, which should be made to the shooter's preference anyway.
Totally false. The large frame Vaquero handles the same loads as the large frame Blackhawk upon which it is based. It is the New Vaquero that cannot handle "Ruger only" loads.
Wil Terry
Member
I PREFER BOTH and in every BBL length.
BobWright
Member
Well, this was a Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt. Now sort of a Super Blackhawk. Does that tell you anything?
Several years ago I had 4 5/8" and 7 1/2" .45 Colt Rugers set up as Bisleys, Blackhawks, and Super Blackhawks. Shot everything from 180 gr. SWC with very light powder charges to 350 gr. cast RNFP with hefty doses of H-110. Always came back to the Super Blackhawk grip frame.
Though it no longer looks like this, here was the 4 5/8" Bisley:
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
Several years ago I had 4 5/8" and 7 1/2" .45 Colt Rugers set up as Bisleys, Blackhawks, and Super Blackhawks. Shot everything from 180 gr. SWC with very light powder charges to 350 gr. cast RNFP with hefty doses of H-110. Always came back to the Super Blackhawk grip frame.
Though it no longer looks like this, here was the 4 5/8" Bisley:
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
drastic_quench
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Yes. I've got the SBH Hunter Bisley. The barrel is 7.5 inches. I shot both, and the Bisley balances better. The hammer is in a better position too -- it is especially out of the way of any scope.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
dickydalton
Member
A friend let me shoot his Colt Bisley this winter and it was a nice shooter but my New Vaquero feels better to me.I have a little bit of everything and prefer the Ruger XR3/Colt SAA/Navy or 1860 Army grip for most loads under 1200fps. Although 1000fps is a happier medium. Coupled with the standard type hammer, it is a better configuration for fast work. The XR3-RED, with its greater room behind the triggerguard, does not work for me. I prefer the Bisley with a proper set of custom grips for handling heavy recoil. It's more comfortable in this role than anything I've ever shot. Folks like to compare it to the #5 but I find them to be too different for comparison.
The Colt Bisley design is also very comfortable and handled the 1200fps Keith .44Spl load very well.
The Ruger XR3, new or old, is identical to the Colt pattern. While the guns don't balance the same, any difference in the grip feel will be due to differences in grip panels, which should be made to the shooter's preference anyway.
Totally false. The large frame Vaquero handles the same loads as the large frame Blackhawk upon which it is based. It is the New Vaquero that cannot handle "Ruger only" loads.
EnsignJimmy
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The Ruger Bisley offers better control of heavy ("Ruger-only") .45 Colt loads. At least, that's how it feels in my hands. However the .45 Colt is certainly no recoil pushover with proper (i.e. a 250-255 grain bullet going ~900-950 ft/sec) standard-pressure loads. The standard plow-handle grip handles those just fine, and it points really well.
BSA1
member
There's always someone who votes for Door #3.
My choice is the Ruger Vaquero with Super Blackhawk hammers installed. The super Blackhawk hammer sits lower and is wider than the standard hammer.
The Super Blackhawk hammer also fits the adjustable sight Blackhawk.
My choice is the Ruger Vaquero with Super Blackhawk hammers installed. The super Blackhawk hammer sits lower and is wider than the standard hammer.
The Super Blackhawk hammer also fits the adjustable sight Blackhawk.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
One of my home smithing projects was to convert a 5.5" Super Blackhawk .44 Mag to a Bisley. I like it a lot better now. My 7.5" Blackhawk in .45 Colt is also a Bisley.
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Boxhead
Member
I need a 5 1/2" minimum barrel on the large frame Ruger Bisley or the balance is lost. That said, I prefer the non-Bisley Ruger grip frame these days as I am well over shooting the thumper loads of years past. I have no preference XR3 vs. XR3-RED having owned both for years.
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