.45 Colt Preference in Ruger Blackhawk or Bisley?

[stonecoldy]

I'm wanting to get a Ruger of the persuasion listed above. I've shot Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks but am not familiar with how the Bisley handles (have read of enough people that prefer it over the Blackhawk). So I'm looking for any advice regarding preferences for one over the other. Haven't seen a Bisley at any of the local shops. Mostly will be used for plinking, perhaps some small game for now.

 

[.44 Associate]

It's mostly a matter of personal preference, until you start greatly exceeding traditional .45 Colt loads. Then the Bisley grip becomes more comfortable for most people. In some opinions, by the time you are firing 325 grain bullets at 1200+ FPS, the traditional grip is almost unmanageable whereas the Bisley grip is still relatively comfortable. If you don't plan on using heavy loads, of course, either grip will probably be fine. Some folks do claim that the traditional grip points more naturally than does the Bisley, though...

 

[hogshead]

I dont like the way the Bisley grips feel. But you may be different. Go handle them and see what you like best.

 

[rcmodel]

But the traditional SA plow handle grip is ahh, Traditional.

And easier to cock with the shooting hand then the Bisley.

Besides that?
I find Bisleys to be really Fugly looking.

I prefer the old Colt SSA's in shape, feel, and function.

But thats just me.

Were I buying a .454 Casull, I would get a Bisley grip for better recoil control.
But that is not a factor in a .45 Colt for plinking.

rc

 

[hogshead]

I find Bisleys to be really Fugly looking.

This too.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I do not like the Bisley grip on Colt revolvers but the Ruger Bisley grip frame is different. Rugers Bisley grip is nowhere near as "bent" forward like the Colt. I have a Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt and I think the Ruger Bisley grip is very comfortable to shoot.

Regular Ruger grip frame:


Ruger Bisley grip frame: (my revolver)


Colt Bisley grip frame: (photo from Google)

 

[Pointshoot]

I have a Ruger Bisley stainless 45LC that I got for a hunting gun. I specifically wanted that type grip for shooting heavier +P loads and it does so comfortably. I prefer the traditional plow handle SAA style grips for all other uses, and particularly the grips on the new Ruger Flat Top. I have one in 44 Special, and may get another in 45LC. I also have Blackhawks & USFA guns in 45LC and they all have the traditional style grip frame. The 'plow handle' is quick out of the holster, points naturally, and positions the thumb for cocking as the gun recoils.

I often use a load with a Keith style cast bullet of around 255gr going around 1000 fps (give or take) as an everyday general purpose round and the traditional plow handle grip works well for me with this.

 

[Lawdawg45]

The Bisley grip seems to favor shooters with bigger hands, and to me it resembles the late '72 open top grip.

LD

 

[CraigC]

It's purely personal preference but for heavy loads, most shooters prefer the Bisley. It is a very comfortable, natural feeling grip and I never understood how some think it's ugly. There is a very good reason why 99% of custom Ruger .475's and .500's utilize the Bisley configuration. It works.

Seriously???

 

[stonecoldy]

I appreciate all of the replies so far. While I might consider the Bisley grip to appear not as graceful as the Blackhawk grip frame, if it helps with shooting accuracy, then I'm all for it. Not neccessarily looking at heavy loads in .45 Colt right now (I have a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Mag for that) but would like that flexibility potentially down the road. I see Bisley's rarely around here in southwest Ohio.

 

[BBQLS1]

Personally, I like the way the Bisley looks. I actually like both, but for a heavy loaded gun, Bisley is what I'd get.

 

[stonecoldy]

I don't mind the appearance of the Ruger Bisley grip. The Colt does look a little funky.
My first single action was a Ruger SBH, I ended up with Herrett(sp?) grip panels that filled in the back of that squared off trigger guard, which was much more pleasant to shoot than the factory panels. Perhaps a little more Bisley-like than traditional grips.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I dislike traditional Single Action Army grips, they are too small for my hands (that are not that big, I'm only 5'10" and have average sized hands for crying out loud!). I don't like having my pinky hanging out in space, or under the grip especially on a hard kicking load.

So with that in mind I would not buy anything with a traditional SAA grip frame profile. I like the Ruger Bisley and find them to be comfortable, and the Freedom Arms grip frame which is kind of a cross of SAA and Bisley is also very comfortable. I also think the Bisley style grips, and FA style grips look better too but those are subjective opinions like everything else I have offered.

 

[BigShep85]

My large hands fit a bisley grip much better than the regular grips on a blackhawk. They don't even really fit the regular grips at all

 

[Prosser]

My two cents:

I think it's more if the grips are fitted to your size hands then what grip you get.

My experience was with loads heavier then most shoot in .45 Colt.
My cut line was 325 grain bullets @ 1350 fps. At that point the recoil was enough so I needed custom grips.

Your cutline may vary.

I have shot VERY heavy loads in .500JRH with the custom grips on a BFR with no problems at all.

The Bisley grip, at a certain point, feels like it's splitting my palm in half. However, that's with loads that recoil at 80 plus ft-lbs.

The plow handle grips, or the Bisley grips, are fine, provided they are tailored to YOUR size hands. The FA 83 grips are fantastic as well, as long as they are customized for your size hands.

I've had custom grips put on a .45 Seville, .500 Ruger Max, FA 83's, BFR's, and the difference has always been huge.

If you are lucky enough to have the standard grips fit your hands, your home free.

The only ruger I have with custom coco bolos not fitted to my hands is a .22lr Single Six.

I'm thinking of selling it.

 

[bergmen]

Went from Blackhawk to Bisley

I owned a Blackhawk for at least ten years and went to a Bisley. Two reasons mostly. First, I shoot max handloads in my .45 Colt (always have) and the Bisley grip shape is perfect for this.

Second, I really like the looks of the unfluted cylinder and the general shape of the gun. Dressed up with rosewood grips and I like it much better than the Blackhawk:

This is all subjective though and doing a personal comparison is the only way to go. The Bisleys are much less likely to be on the shelf at your LGS, though, and that presents a problem for comparison purposes.

Dan

 

[The Man With No Name]

I often use a load with a Keith style cast bullet of around 255gr going around 1000 fps (give or take) as an everyday general purpose round and the traditional plow handle grip works well for me with this.

I am using the same weight at the same approximate velocity and feel with the traditional plow handle grip it is perfect. It seems very controllable, quick on target, rolls the recoil gently, and is quick back on target. Plus it just feels good in my hand.

 

[huntershooter]

As stated above, the Bisley style grips are preferable for heavy loads.
The Freedom Arms revolvers use a version of this grip as well.

 

[00blkgt]

I really believe that you should handle them both. Then you will realize that you need both.

 

[sniperlongshot]

if your talking old ruger vaquero's, the grip frames for the blackhawks and cylinder will interchange, i have an old model 7 1/2" and custom fitted blackhawk cylinders to it, i couldn't find a davidson combo to get the 45 acp, and the blackhawk throats are bigger so the jaketed bullets will fit the lands, i also for a time bought a used super blackhawk grip frame and put it on the vaquro, but did'n like it and eventually went back to the orig frame

 

[sniperlongshot]

most of the older vaquero's and blackhawks will interchange grip frames, hammers, and cylinders.

it's not hard to fit them as long as all you have to do is stone down the parts.

i've fitted blackhawk cylinders and superblackhawk frames onto my old model vaquero's, that how i got my 45acp/longcolt combo.

also the blackhawk cylinders throats are 1/2 thousand larger which is why you'd want make the switch so your jacketed bullets will shoot more accuratly, and the cylinder is easier to fit that enlarging 6 throats with a dol rod and emerycloth