Help, I can't make up my mind!

[vwfool]

I have 2 choices here for a new gun, and I can't make up my mind. So, I have come to you. My wife and I have loved to go tent camping up in the mountains for years(no, not where we live in OK), and I have always kept my 45/70 Guide Gun around camp just in case we had any nasty, unwelcomed critters. I now find myself wanting something a little more portable.

My choices are between a stainless Ruger Bisley Blackhawk(limited run) in .45LC/.45ACP or getting a Super Redhawk or Ruger Alaskin in .454 and having a moon clip conversion done to it so I could still shoot .45ACP in it, too. If I go .454, it would only be shot enough to be confidant and then carried while camping. The rest of it's diet would be .45ACP/.45LC.

A shop here has the Bisley right now, or I could get a Super Redhawk right now, too. Who knows how long I'd have to wait on the Alaskin.

So......what do y'all think???

 

[17RemFan]

Why not go look into a Ruger redhawk in 44mag.My friend ownes one with a 5" barrel.I have shot it and its very accurate .I would think it would make a good powerful camp gun . Good luck with your choice .

 

[timothy75]

Both dammit

First of all I know that Bisley your talking about and I consider that the ultlimate outdoor revolver. I dont know why Ruger doesnt make that a permanent catalog item I've been looking for one for two years now so buy that on principal alone. By the way that gun will fire 45lc loads loaded much higher than 44mag balistics. Buffalo Bore makes a 325gr bullet going 1325fps which pretty much equals a 480ruger in power factor. Corbon and PMC also make super powerfull 45lc loads which that Bisley can easily handle. However if you want a very convienent gun to carry but still be very powerfull you cant really beat that new alaskan. Also in a self defense situation you would probably want the double action capability if a bear was on top of you. I hope I havent confused you more.

 

[vwfool]

I kinda think that is what I have decided, too. The limited edition Bisley, that is. I fell in love the first time I saw it. Glad to know that someone else feels the same way.

 

[Stainz]

I had a 7.5" scoped .454 SRH for years. As a mean animal protection sidearm that you can also plink with, it'll get you in trouble. The carbon ring that shorter rounds leave in a chamber aren't problematic in the .38 Special/.357 magnum or even .44 Russian/Special/Magnum case. But - increase the pressure to the .454's 65k+, and you can have some real problems - if you could load those .454's in a cylinder that had just shot a bunch of .45 Colts, much less 'clipped ACP's. My solution was to load lots of .45-Colt-ish loads in .454 brass, not an option in commercial ammo. I finally realized that wild pachyderms weren't the problem I once envisioned here in central Alabama - and traded my beloved SRH. My wrist doesn't miss it that much.

My SS 5.5" .45 Colt Bisley, on the other hand, is a keeper. I think the convertible model out now is a great buy - just carry the cylinder you need. I have a new 4" 625JM for .45 ACP's - and Auto Rims, not possible in the ACP-cylindered Ruger. Plink away with ACP's, and carry it with the Colt cylinder - with a mix of whatever loads you want/need. Don't worry about the lack of DA - you can one-hand that Bisley hammer about as fast as you could a DA. Of course, that Bisley grip is hard to beat for recoil control. I have a Redhawk 5.5" SS .45 Colt - I don't think it is as good a choice as that SA Bisley. Some DA ftf's, the grip, some unloading quirks, - the SA Bisley Blackhawk, by comparison, is foolproof.

Now, if you think .44 Magnums will do - have I got a suggestion for you! S&W has just re-released the 629 Mountain Gun, a 4" .44M with a tapered tube, partial lug, bright SS, and a chamfered cylinder, weighing in at 39.5oz - the most easily 'packable' suggestion yet. If you reload, .44 Russians and Specials in lead can cost you <$4/50; a bit more for some jacketed .44M's. I love mine - although it has seen mainly .44 Russians and Specials - and only mediocre .44M's thus far. I just put an X-frame grip on it, a la the new 500 Magnums ($35 accessory from S&W.). It's absorptive rubber covers the backstrap - a good thing. That may be your best option. Again, expect to do some chamber-brush work between shorter rounds and loading .44M's.

I like spending your money... get them all!!!

Stainz

 

[vwfool]

I think I'll go with the Bisley because I love single actions, and for my wrist's sake, too. Every time I decide and then read an other thread about the Alaskins, I hear this little voice saying," HEY! Look at me!"

If the Bisley is still there tomorrow, I'll get it. If not, I'll wait a while and get an Alaskin.

AThanks everyone.

 

[Marshall]

Pretty cool gun in .41 Mag

I have it's brother in .45 Colt. Great packing guns. They also have .44 mag available now, as mentioned.