Any .44 mag Bisley revolvers with blade sight frame?

[Orion8472]

I know that Ruger has a .44 Bisley, but I just don't like the flat top single action revolvers. I like the curve of the blade top. I'm considering a few options and am looking at either a .357mag Uberti Birdshead, or a .44mag Bisley of some brand as described here.

I'd want Blued, but I suppose a stainless steel would be okay. Wood grips as well. I might be out of luck. No biggie if I am.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Blade top, you mean like on a fixed sight gun like a Colt SAA?

If so, Ruger made a 44 magnum Bisley Vaquero. You might search for one of those.

 

[Orion8472]

That's the type I mean.

Yes, I saw a Ruger made .44 Bisley, but they are tough to come across.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Here's one. Blued, case colored.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=292139049


You can pay me a 3% finder's fee

 

[Orion8472]

Well, . . . . . . .I'm embarrassed for it being so easy for you to find.

Yes, that's exactly what I was looking for. High price, but due to its rarity, I'm sure. IS the price about right on it?

Thanks for the find!

 

[Hammerdown77]

I think he's a bit high, but like you said, you don't see these that often.

Depends on how bad you want it!

I've seen more of these show up for sale in the classifieds of the Ruger forum (rugerforum.com) than anywhere else. You might post a WTB over there, seems to usually produce good results.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Incidentally, Uberti makes a 44 Mag "Callahan" model that appears to have a longer grip frame like the 1860 Army. Not a Bisley, but from other folks' reports on shooting them, perfectly adequate for handling 44 magnum recoil.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single-action-cattleman.php

 

[Orion8472]

Well, I'm actually trying to decide between one like this and an Uberti Birdshead in .357mag [of which I will use .38 Specials mostly]. The Uberti will be considerably cheaper to buy. . . . and a bit cheaper to shoot [over .44 Special].

 

[Orion8472]

Quickly, . . . . do you think this Bisley would have the issue where you open the gate and at the "cylinder click" the bar hits between two cylinder holes? I really don't like SA revolvers that are that way.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Which Bisley, the one in the Gunbroker ad? That is an "Old" Vaquero, and it has the same cylinder indexing as a large frame Blackhawk, and will NOT line up the chamber with the ejector rod when it clicks. It will be between chambers, as you say.

The New Vaquero (smaller frame), as well as the flat top guns, have the indexing plunger that lines the chamber up with the ejector rod with each click, just like a Colt. The Ubertis will work this way as well (since they are the same Colt SAA design).

 

[Hammerdown77]

If you are only going to shoot 44 Special (and are not reloading), there is really no reason to buy the large frame Vaquero in 44 magnum.

I would either buy a birdshead gripped Uberti, or look for a Bisley New Vaquero in 357. If you simply must have a 44 Special in that configuration, with some cash, you can have a gunsmith convert the Bisley NV 357 to a 44 Special. Ruger made a 44 Special New Vaquero, so if you could find a cylinder and barrel from one of those, it would reduce your cost for the conversion.

But if it were me, and I was buying factory ammo, I'd go for the Bisley New Vaquero in 357.

 

[Orion8472]

I might just go the Uberti route then. That indexing [between holes] really bugs me . . . and for that much money, I'm going to have to pass. The .357 Bisley isn't in the colors I like. They only show them in silver/ivory grips.

Thanks for the help. If I decide to spend money, it will be the Birdshead.