Choose between Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag Hunter and Bisley

[ghh3rd]

I am getting ready to purchase a Ruger .44 mag revolver. I was set on the Super Blackhawk Hunter, but learned about the Bisley Hunter and now am undecided. From what I can tell, the difference between the two is the grip, but many feel that the Bisley grip helps lessen perceived recoil.

I've been shopping around, and didn't know I'd have such a problem findng one (of either) to handle, let alone find one (new) on the internet to price. I know there are a some used ones out there, but would prefer new for this gun.

Anyone have a preference between the two of these, and know of a good source for them? I guess my next question will be about red dots or low power scopes.

Thanks - Randy

 

[batmann]

IF you can find one, the Bisley seems to the grip of choice. I have only shoot the 'plow handle' and I find it to be fine on heavy recoiling loads.

 

[solvability]

I like my Redhawk.

 

[nulfisin]

Bisley

Blackhawk trigger guards will smack your middle finger HARD with full magnum loads. Before I put Bisley grips on, I needed a glove to shoot more than 10 or so full magnum loads without a bruise. The Bisley grips work like a charm, but cost half as much as the gun I bought and the installation was not as easy I thought it would be.

I shoot a 50th anniversary model, which may not have the same guard your model does. (Check -- if the model you are looking at has a more generous guard, you can just pick whichever gun you like best without worrying about recoil).

 

[eldon519]

I've got a 7.5 Bisley. Recoil is a pleasure with it. Can't compare it to a plowshare though as I haven't shot one in so long it wouldn't be fair.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

The Bisley Hunter, and I think the Super Blackhawk Hunter, are only produced every so often. The regular Bisley in .44 magnum is $515 from rrarms.com, which currently has it in stock, and $502 from Buds Gun Shop, which doesn't have it in stock. Davidson's doesn't have either the Super Blackhawk Hunter or the Bisley Hunter in stock right now in .44 magnum, although it has both of them in .41 magnum--this is the reverse of what usually seems to be the case.

I don't know this for a fact, but I get the impression that Davidson's is one of the only retailers with a big enough inventory to keep oddball models like the Hunters in stock. Lipsey's is another retailer of that sort, but their website doesn't indicate whether or not they are in stock right now.

 

[sig220mw]

I've had several rugers over the years 22's, 45's and a 44 mag. I now only have a ruger bisley in 45 colt and I load 250 and 300 gr laser cast bullets. My loads are hotter than the normal "weak" loads listed for the colt revolvers but not at the top of the scale for the stronger rugers models either. Some where in between. That trigger guard smacked my middle finger pretty darn good and it hurt. I got myself some PAST shooting gloves and they do help. I've found the bisley grip to be better in regards to recoil but with big bullets and fairly heavy loads it still will hurt you.

 

[SWAMPUS]

bisley recoil

Have shot my Blackhawk .44 Bisley for years,Middle finger will attest to that!Plowhandles kick up-Bisleys kick back into the palm,allowing for quicker 2nd shot.But5,to paraphrase,'If the handle fits,shoot it!

 

[TimM]

I am a big fan of the bisley.

 

[RKRCPA]

I've been shooting my Bisley for over 20 years. Best revolver for heavy loads I've ever owned or shot.

 

[D R Greysun]

I have one SBK and two Bisley 44 Mags. If I were to buy another Ruger 44 mag. for hunting it would be a Redhawk. Perceived recoil recoil is just that, it is to you one thing to me another. Recoil management is what you need to consider and which works best for you. If you must go with a 'single action' then I would recommend the Bisley Hunter!

D R

 

[Kernel]

I have a plain-jane SBH Hunter (two, actually) and a 5.5” stainless Bisley. All in .44 Mag. My first Hunter was from the initial batch that came out in ‘95 or so. I bought it used in ‘98 and have used it every year since for deer hunting in Iowa. My second Hunter is c. 2004 and still NIB.

The Bisley has three unique features: the grip (straighter), the hammer (lower), and the trigger (rounder).

For full power Ruger-only loads I like the Hunter best. The Hunter, if you didn’t know, has a unique grip frame that no other Ruger single action has. It’s not just the round trigger guard. The entire grip is longer and deeper than the traditional SBH or BH. I think it works best to mitigate recoil. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of full house rounds and it’s never touched a knuckle on my hand.

I like the look and feel of the Bisley better. It points better. It’s cooler. But in my hand it doesn’t handle snot-knockin’ recoil as well as the Hunter. My Bisley is my open-sight plinker, for light “cat sneeze” loads, rides in a belt holster, and is my all around fun gun. The Hunter wears a 1x30mm Ultradot red dot sight, only sees full power loads, rides in a bulky bandoleer holster, and is my dedicated deer harvesting machine.

All that said, if I could only have one I might be tempted to get a Bisley Hunter. Even though it doesn’t handle recoil as well for me, I can’t imagine the recoil wouldn’t be that awful to begin with, by the time you put a scope on it, the rings, the 7-½” barrel, the heavy rib, the thing is a friggin’ tank.

 

[ghh3rd]

Bisley Hunter is on it's way

 

[IV Troop]

I have both and prefer the Bisley.

 

[Maj Dad]

Trigger Guard Whack

Don't have a Bisley, can compare, but I have to say that in the 36 years I have had my SBH, I can recall maybe once that I was aware of being hit by the trigger guard. I have average to large hands, always let it recoil up and typically use a 2-handed grip unless I'm playing at the range or plinking with mild cast loads. I don't know if I unconsciously allow for it or I'm lucky, but it has never been an issue for me. It would certainly play no part in a decision between the two for me, but I am not recoil sensitive (save tiny little hand-cannons for CC, and then only for long range sessions).