Quality of Ruger revolvers vs Magnum Research BFRs
- Thread starter JellyJar
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The BFR's are definitely better made guns than Rugers. Perhaps closer to FA in accuracy and build quality.
22-rimfire
Member
That would be my judgement as well. I have one BFR in 475/480 and it works like a precision machine.
Definitely not as aesthetically pleasing as an FA, but as accurate if not more accurate and there are features of the BFR that I like more than the Ruger and FA, like the free-wheeling pawl, and unlike the FA, the BFR has a transfer bar enabling safe loaded carry with a round under the hammer. They are great revolvers and probably the best bang-for-the-buck.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I would love to have one of the 5" .44 mag BFRs. I think with some nice grips they would look great.
Is it easy to get aftermarket grips for them? The black rubber just doesn't do it for me.
Is it easy to get aftermarket grips for them? The black rubber just doesn't do it for me.
22-rimfire
Member
I have not tried to get new grips from my BFR, but honestly would like to. There don't seem to be many aftermarket options based on my checking around and previous comments here. Max would know.
A 5" 44 mag would be sweet! Mine is a 6.5".
Years ago when the BFR in 45-70 came out, just the appearance turned me off with that huge long cylinder. But when they started chambering in smaller shorter cartridges/calibers they reduced the size of the cylinder which makes the gun have a very sleek appearance. That is one of the reasons I chose the 475/480 version (short cylinder and the shorter barrel option) when I got mine. But I already owned the SRH in 480, so it was a good fit. Much more comfortable to shoot than the SRH.
A 5" 44 mag would be sweet! Mine is a 6.5".
Years ago when the BFR in 45-70 came out, just the appearance turned me off with that huge long cylinder. But when they started chambering in smaller shorter cartridges/calibers they reduced the size of the cylinder which makes the gun have a very sleek appearance. That is one of the reasons I chose the 475/480 version (short cylinder and the shorter barrel option) when I got mine. But I already owned the SRH in 480, so it was a good fit. Much more comfortable to shoot than the SRH.
Arkansas Paul
Member
They do look pretty sweet. Here's the one I'm talking about.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...+Research+BFR44MAG5+BFR+Revolver+5RD+44MAG+5"
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...+Research+BFR44MAG5+BFR+Revolver+5RD+44MAG+5"
VThillman
Member
5 round? Why is that?
Strength.
I worked with a 5-inch .44 Mag BFR last year.
Had a front sight problem (loose), but it's a beefy gun, I would not hesitate to shoot any commercial .44 Mag made in that gun, and workmanship (other'n the sight) was far better than the last stainless Ruger Blackhawk I had here.
Not knocking Ruger, just saying.
Denis
I worked with a 5-inch .44 Mag BFR last year.
Had a front sight problem (loose), but it's a beefy gun, I would not hesitate to shoot any commercial .44 Mag made in that gun, and workmanship (other'n the sight) was far better than the last stainless Ruger Blackhawk I had here.
Not knocking Ruger, just saying.
Denis
Arkansas Paul
Member
Couldn't tell you.
I assume for added strength.
But like Max mentioned, it has the transfer bar so you can load it up full, whereas with a comparable FA revolver you would only load 5 anyway. So no real world disadvantage.
Unless you want to load 6, but I don't mind that so much.
Arkansas Paul
Member
workmanship (other'n the sight) was far better than the last stainless Ruger Blackhawk I had here. Not knocking Ruger, just saying.
Denis
Oh, that's not knocking Ruger I don't think.
Ruger is a working man's revolver. The Dodge Ram of revolvers. Inexpensive and gets the job done.
BFRs and FA revolvers are the luxury cars of revolvers.
They all get the job done, the upper line models are just a bit more refined.
I would love to have a BFR but I wouldn't trade my 2 Blackhawks for one BFR.
I'm a working man and prefer to have 2 ruggedly built revolvers over one premium model. Right now my finances wouldn't allow me to have several upper end revolvers and I like variety. I don't know if I could be happy with just one.
If my resources change in the future I may splurge and get one.
Production BFRs are not much more expensive than Rugers, while a Premier grade FA 83 will set you back about $2,800.00.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Yeah, I knew the FA revolvers were higher by far.
With the Ruger vs BFR I was comparing the regular Blackhawk to it.
Comparing apples to apples with the .44 magnums there is only about a $330 difference (Buds prices). Not that much considering you're looking at something that will last a lifetime.
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