Ruger Bisley: Questions and some comments

[Surefire]

I currently have a .22 LR Ruger Bisley, specifically the 5.5" SS Special Edition. I love it, it fits my hand better than the plow-handle Ruger SAAs, and IMO its also a nicer looking revolver than the Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero.

I prefer all three differences: hammer, trigger, and grip on the Bisley, for me they just are better fits. I'm thinking of getting more Bisleys, the .357 5.5" Stainless Special edition due out in December, and maybe also a blued .45 Colt Bisley with 7.5" barrel.


Questions:

1. Is the Ruger Bisley (major caliber versions with fixed sights) used in CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) events? If so, what percentage are Bisleys. Does the Bisley have advantages/disadvantages over the standard plow-handle grip for CAS events? If no one uses Ruger Bisleys, what would the reasons be?

2. My .22 LR Bisley appears to only have two screws holding the grip to the frame. My Blackhawks and Vaqueros have at least four screws (two by the hammer towards the end that the Bisley does not have). I've actually had these screws work their way out on my Blackhawk when shooting Magnum loads. No issues at all with my Bisley, but its only a .22 LR with almost NO RECOIL. My question is, would a major caliber Bisley be even more prone to screws working loose than the Blackhawk/Vaquero, since it appears to be only held by two screws? Or am I missing screws and/or internal places that it is secured to the frame by?

 

[RCL]

The upper screws are under the grips. I put thread locker on mine.

 

[Surefire]

The upper screws are under the grips. I put thread locker on mine.

I'll eventually be getting fake ivory grips for it.....I guess I'll look for it then (i.e. changing grips).


Anyone shooting CAS with a Bisley?

 

[dav]

I'm sorry no one has answered the Bisley question, I'm curious, too.

I have handled Bisley's, but have only shot Vaqueros with the "plow-handle" grips.

I would think the advantage/disadvantage would mostly be personal preference. Neither grip is comfortable for me. 1911 grips are (.45 or Ruger 22/45). I still like Vaqueros and wheelguns in general, but am unhappy with their grip shapes.

 

[Surefire]

I'm sorry no one has answered the Bisley question, I'm curious, too.

I have handled Bisley's, but have only shot Vaqueros with the "plow-handle" grips.

I would think the advantage/disadvantage would mostly be personal preference. Neither grip is comfortable for me. 1911 grips are (.45 or Ruger 22/45). I still like Vaqueros and wheelguns in general, but am unhappy with their grip shapes.

Hmmm....I thought there would be more CAS shooters here.....

I'd like to see a CAS event one day, and maybe even participate......

In regards to your point about the 1911 grip:

I personally don't like the 1911 grip, although the guns themselves are nice.

 

[Majic]

The Bisley grip is more suited to handling recoil, but slower shooting. A lot of shooters like them on the heavy recoiling magnums.
The "Plowhandle" style grip is better for fast shooting. It allows the revolver to roll up in your hand on recoil which positions your thumb right at the hammer so the revolver can be cocked when you pull it back down on target.
The 2 styles are very much a personal preference. A lot of shooters can't stand the Bisley grip. I personally will take the Bisley grip over the plowhandle given the choice, but I don't dislike the plowhandle.
The fact that the Bisley grip is slower to shoot and the original was built just for target shooting (the name Bisley was for the popular target range in England) is probably the reason you don't see as many as the infamous plowhandle grip style in the Cowboy Action Shooting games of today. Being historically correct is a big part of that sport. That's why the Vaquero became an instant hit. It's lack of adjustable sights made it look period correct.

 

[Harbinger]

I think you'll find a few Bisley fans around here:
www.sassnet.com/forums/forums/

 

[Harbinger]

Then again, you won't because I haven't had my coffee yet. Try this:
www.sassnet.com/forums/

 

[Tom C.]

I shoot SASS and I shoot SS Ruger NMBHs. I started with .45 Colt and transitioned to .357. I have one of the SS Bisleys, but find it unsuitable for my large hands to cock the hammer with my left (weak) hand. My fat hand blocks my left thumb.
I think it is a matter of personal preference, and what you started with.
Shooting heavy recoiling loads, with the right grips, I still don't find much difference in felt recoil between the Blackhawk and Bisley. The right grips are critical, though. I like smooth Eagle gunfighter grips for both.

 

[Meadhall]

When I shot CAS (haven't for a year or so) I used a Bisley Vaquero and a Super Blackhawk, both in .44 mag. (loaded down of course) Never realy saw any advantage or disadvantage either way, I just shot what I had.

 

[YodaVader]

I'm thinking of getting more Bisleys, the .357 5.5" Stainless Special edition due out in December

Wow - that sounds like something I would be interested in! I will be on the lookout for them at the end of the year!

 

[vwfool]

I have a blued 7 1/2" Bisley Blackhawk in .45LC, and I love it. It is my favorite revolver. The felt recoil is much , much less than the plow handle Blackhawks, which I have also owned. I had 6 1/2" .357 and a 4 5/8 .45LC. The Bisley beats them both in the way they feel and in how much easier and faster they are to shoot with the lower hammer. I don't need it, of course, but I can't keep thinking about getting another one. I saw a special run of stainless Bisley Blackhawks with 5 1/2" barrels and 2 cylinders, one in .45LC and the other in .45ACP. Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery nice. Get a Bisley; you won't be disappointed.

 

[Surefire]

Heck, I'd buy a .45 ACP/.45 LC convertible Bisley SS 5.5" in a SECOND, if I ever get to see one in a local store. I love .45 caliber handguns, and to be able to shoot both acp and lc in the same gun is a dream.