Ruger Vaquero Birdshead vs. standard grip

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DMK

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Local gun store has an SS Birdshead Vaquero in .357, plus they have the same gun with a standard grip. They must not be New Model Vaqs since Ruger doesn't seem to be making the NM with the Birdshead grip. I passed on the SAs the other day for an SP101, but I can't get that Birdshead out of my mind. It sure was a beauty. Had the right barrel length and everything. I'm thinking of going back and getting one of the Vaqueros too now.

My question is, what are the advantages or disadvantages to the Birdshead grip vs. the standard grip?
 
Advantages - more compact; attractive looking

Disadvantages - with moderate to heavy .45 Colt loads, recoil is pretty tough to manage, for follow-ups at least for me with big hands. There just isn't a whole lot to get a grip on.

I bought mine mostly because I wanted the 3 1/2" barrel.
 
I bought a Heritage Arms .22/22mag. with the birdshead and 3" bbl simply because it is a sharp-looking gun! I've found that the BH is hard to get a really firm grip on, but I have large hands, and it is a .22, so recoil isn't a deal. Also, brand new it was less than $225, so I didn't have to morgage the farm. ;)
 
It's all about whether or not the BH fits your hands, and how much recoil ("bullet horsepower") you want to run.

That's a large-frame gun - aka "44Mag-class frame". So 357s aren't going to stress the gun any and all else being equal should be tolerable for most folks even with the wildest ammo available. In 38/38+P it'll be a pussycat.

The people who seem to like the BH grip the most are those with smallish hands. For some such people, they report surprisingly good recoil handling...for a few, better than anything else they've tried.

If you have bigger hands, one option is the Eagle Gunfighter grip panels for the Ruger BH. These are thinner except for a widened area at the top, so you've got something extra along the top edge of your hand to snuggle up against. Used right this will let you place the gun firmly in the same place for each shot, also known as "indexing". By having the gun in just the right place each time, it can balance the fact that there's less backstrap meat and hence you'd think MORE felt recoil.

Anyways. It works for some people...others, not so much. At a minimum handle it. See if it works with a "pinkie under" hold with the pinkie curled tight underneath.

Since Ruger will not be producing any more BH grip frames (because the lock won't fit in there) you can swap grip frames later and sell that one for good coin. So the risk ain't that bad, if it turns out you can't cope.
 
Bird head

I love the bird heads and Bisleys. I can't shoot the plow handles well at all. I have very large hands and the recoil from a birdhead grip is better in the 454 I shoot than any other. If it feels good in your hand you most likly won't have a problem. Me I love them, I made a 41 mag a 357 mag ans a 22 SS convertable. I will have a 45 Colt in my future. I have a friend that had a 5 shot 454 done on one and I shoot the hot 325 gr hunting loads from it just fine. J.Michael
 
Just like any certain model/make of car, the "Bird's Head" grip doesn't work for everyone. [F'rinstance, if you are taller than the 'starting front 3' of an NBA team, then a Mini-Cooper for you ain't happening]

I have one of the short-barrel (3-3/4" or so) 'Sheriff's Model' glossy stainless Vaqueros in .357 Mag. Kinda thought I would like to try the 'Bird's Head" grip on that. Have shot a budd's .45 Birds Head with some ahhhhh fairly stout loads, and I liked how it 'rolled' in my hand. Not so great for fast follow ups, but very comfortable shooting for me for those stiff rounds.
 
I too, love the Bird's Head grips on a Single Action. To me it facilitates in recoil management by funneling the backward thrust to a goofy and gentle upward roll. So yeah, muzzle rise is more significant, but it's not unpleasant.
 
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