Which Ruger?

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sixgun MAK

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Gentlemen,

I'm looking for strong beefy revolver in 45 Colt. I'm considering a Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawk, or Bisley.

I tried a Redhawk with a 5.5" barrel yesterday and it felt heavy and unbalanced. I wasn't too sure about the trigger set, however, I assume the 4.2" model would feel better.

I'm a Colt SAA guy so I like the plow handle and hammer of the Blackhawk, but was advised the Bisley grip is better suited for heavy recoil. I tried both models, and actualy liked the Bisley grip, but wasn't too sure about the hammer.

Like a woman (no offense to any lady members), I can't make up my mind. I really would love to hear from all of you Rugers shooters.

Thanks a bunch.
 
I'm looking for strong beefy revolver in 45 Colt. I'm considering a Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawk, or Bisley.
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If you are after the .45 colt "ruger only" loads then I would highly recommend the Blackhawk. Normal pressure .45 colt loads do not have heavy recoil so if thats what you will be using the Vaquero/Bisley will be fine.

The New model Vaquero's are not the same as the old model. Not as "Beefy" and not as strong as the Blackhawk so it is not recommended to use "ruger only" loads in them.

If you really want strong and beefy though just get a super redhawk .454 casull and you can shoot .45 colt in it.
 
Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt is the cream of the crop! Tough as a boot, handles recoil WELL, accurate as all get out.
 
I'd like to find a 5.5" Redhawk in .45 Colt around here.

The Anaconda is another one to look at, unless you want to shoot Ruger Only loads, and are intent on only Rugers.
 
Blackhawk or Bisley over the Redhawk any day for an outdoor gun/hunting gun. My Blackhawk is easy to carry by comparison and the balance is much better IMHO. It weighs about what a comparable GP100 weighs, the Redhawk being heavier. My Blackhawk handles recoil of Ruger only loads just fine, but I've never fired a Bisley, so I can't really comment on that part of the OP. I never really liked the LOOKS of a Bisley, but then, I'm not very cultured. :D

I never really understood why anyone would want a DA gun as a field gun. I grew up shooting single actions and they're very fast out of leather and I'm never going to take a DA shot at game. I do prefer the way the old plow handle rolls in the hand on recoil. The only minor "advantage" I see to a DA gun is slightly quicker lock time. The SA guns are stronger for their weight, no crane and other articulating parts to drop and bend or otherwise screw up in the field. The SA being more rugged and lighter, it just sorta defines field guns for me.
 
I have a Blackhawk in .45 Colt, with the plowhandle grip. Recoil has not been a problem even with the most ridiculous Ruger Only loads.
 
Blackhawk or Bisley over the Redhawk any day for an outdoor gun/hunting gun. My Blackhawk is easy to carry by comparison and the balance is much better IMHO. It weighs about what a comparable GP100 weighs, the Redhawk being heavier. My Blackhawk handles recoil of Ruger only loads just fine, but I've never fired a Bisley, so I can't really comment on that part of the OP. I never really liked the LOOKS of a Bisley, but then, I'm not very cultured.

I never really understood why anyone would want a DA gun as a field gun. I grew up shooting single actions and they're very fast out of leather and I'm never going to take a DA shot at game. I do prefer the way the old plow handle rolls in the hand on recoil. The only minor "advantage" I see to a DA gun is slightly quicker lock time. The SA guns are stronger for their weight, no crane and other articulating parts to drop and bend or otherwise screw up in the field. The SA being more rugged and lighter, it just sorta defines field guns for me.
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I fully agree with this. Could not have said it better.
 
I'd consider the Bisley for heavy loads. I have a long-barrel .44 Super Blackhawk with the Dragoon (long plowhandle, square triggerguard) grip, and I can get some vertical stringing because of the way the gun handles under recoil. I shoot one load (full-power) in .44 Magnum, since I have .357s that are very similar to my .44s. I can play around with .38s all day long, without having to change the sights of my .44s. IME the POI of different .44 loads in a longer barrel varies greatly.

The Ruger Bisley is not really a Bisley grip. It's something Elmer Keith designed in the 1920s for heavy loads, with a frame that's half Bisley, half Colt "plowhandle", with the grips shaped for the design. In fact, the original was worked up by doing just that: bolting the halves of a Bisley grip frame and a regular Colt grip frame together.

Bottom line? The Ruger "Bisley" grip is designed specifically for heavy loads. The same design is used by Freedom Arms and Magnum Research for their heavy-load revolvers.
 
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sixgun MAK, I have four Ruger revolvers in .45 Colt. A Super Redhawk, A Redhawk and two Bislely Blackhawks (Acusport convertibles). I haven't shot the Alaskan yet but I've shot both Blackhawks and the Redhawk. At the moment, the Redhawk is my favorite revolver of ALL of my revolvers and that includes a 4" Python. Crazy I know.

redhawk_45colt.jpg


bh_bisley_1.jpg


srh_alaskan_01.jpg


:)
 
I like the Blackhawk...

and have hunted with it for years. It is one of my favorite revolvers. It is strong , accurate and will last many lifetimes.
 
If you don't like the hammer its not too bad of a job to switch those out with one you like. I would get the bisley.
 
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