I have heard that the Bisley design was for target/competitive shooting as they are much easier to shoot one handed that the plow handle. Thanks for your feedback.
Howdy
Yes, the original Colt Bisley model was developed in 1894 as a target model and introduced at the National Target Matches at the Bisley range outside of London England, hence the name. Colt introduced it to compete with the best S&W target pistols of the day, the New Model #3. The Beretta Stampede Bisley model used a grip similar to the original Colt Bisley Model, as opposed to the Ruger version of the Bisley grip, which does not really duplicate the original Colt Bisley grip.
Here is a photo of a standard 'plow handle' Single Action on top and a Colt Bisley on the bottom so you can compare them.
As to whether or not the Bisley is easier to shoot, that is completely up to the perception of the shooter. Personally I find the standard plow handle grip of a SAA very easy to shoot, I allow it to rotate in my hand from recoil. I do not try to cram my entire hand onto a plow handle grip, I curl my pinky under the grip and allow the grip to rotate in my hand. The Colt Bisley grip, (and probably the Stampede too) is a tad longer than the plow handle grip, so it is easier to get the entire hand onto the grip. But notice how far forward the Bisley grip sweeps at the bottom front of the grip. It recurves much more than either the SAA plow handle grip or the Ruger version of the Bisley grip. What this means is, when shot with a straight elbow as we tend to do today, the Bisley gun tends to point down a bit, it does not point as naturally as the SAA plow handle grip does. This is because 19th Century target shooters did not shoot quite the same as we do today, many shot with the elbow slightly bent. With a slight bent elbow grip, the Bisley will naturally point forward.
Regarding allowing the grip to rotate in the hand with recoil, the Colt Bisley grip does not do that very well, it tends to stay put, transferring recoil directly to the palm of the hand. The Bisley in this photo is chambered for 44 Special, but I usually shoot it with very light Black Powder 44 Russian loads. It does not kick much at all. The recoil from a 45 Colt Bisley Colt will be more substantial.
Many shooters like the Ruger version of the Bisley grip because it affords more of a hand hold for heavy recoiling calibers. Because of the shape of the Ruger Bisley grip, it also does not rotate much in the hand.
It's all in how you like a gun to shoot, I would not say the Colt Bisley grip is any easier or more difficult to shoot one handed than a standard SAA plow handle grip. It is just different.