Bisley or No?

[RonJ]

Do you prefer a standard grip or a Bisley on single action handguns? Why?

[Maximumbob54]

Before I bought something with a Bisley grip I had no opinion. Now that I have a Ruger Blackhawk with the Bisley grip I vote Bisley 110%. I had no idea what I was missing.



I really need to redo that pic. I hold the gun much better which helps with recoil a LOT and it just feels more natural now than the old plow handle grip.

[A10]

The Bisley points more naturally for me. I put Goodyears on my other single actions to help with the grip.

[deanodog]

I have mixed feelings on which grip I like best.

[zzzippper]

I voted no. I have a Schofield that I love but I don't consider them as Bisley even though they have a bit of a hunchback.

[Cdog]

Looks, the standard by a longshot. Shooting comfort and natural sight picture, no contest. The Bisley grip frame just works!

[Aticus]

The Colt Bisley grip no. Rugers Bisley maybe but I still prefer the old plow handle.

[Maximumbob54]

Originally Posted by Pecos Bill

The Colt Bisley grip no. Rugers Bisley maybe but I still prefer the old plow handle.

That's a good point. I forgot the original Colt Bisley feels much different. I still like that one though but prefer the Ruger.

[Vulcan Bob]

Just bought my first Bisley grip model a few months ago, a SS Ruger "old" model Bisley Vaquero. I wondered about the Bisley grip and after fireing a box of heavy .45 Colts out of it I wondered what all the fuss was about, recoil was a bit too straight back to suit me but wasn't bad either. Maybe it is all the years of shooting the old plowshare grips have had an influence but with heavy loads I think the old plowshare grip is better for me. Just let em roll a bit under recoil and all is well.

[Andy Griffith]

In order of preference:

• Keith No. 5 grip frame
• Colt Bisley grip frame
• Army sized/style grip frame
• Ruger quasi-Bisley frame
• Navy grip frame

I just can't shoot a navy sized/style grip frame well.
It also puts my pinky finger under the grip, and I don't prefer it.

The Bisley grip seems so much better for tolerating recoil.

[Wyatt Burp]

Bisley's feel very inferior when pulling from a holster. But they are much better for me when cocking and shooting with my arm extended, which was the purpose. Also, according to one of Skeeter Skelton's childhood experiences, he was shown by an old timer that the hammer made a great bottle opener for his first taste of bottled Budweiser. He was right.

[Alpo]

Ruger Bisley - YES

Colt Bisley - NO

Plowhandle - yes

[Brian41]

I got a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .41 mag a few years ago and love it. If not for the expense I think I'd change my other Blackhawks over to Bisley grips.

[finesse_r]

Them old western guys got it right to begin with. The standard Western grip fits my hand perfectly.

[walkin jack]

I voted for the standard western grip because I like it best but I'm am strongly attracted to the Bisley as well.

[kwselke]

I really prefer my 629 grip with Hogue Monogrip to everything else. But the Ruger Bisley works better for me than standard SA western style grips. In my hand it controls muzzle flip better.

[Maximumbob54]

I always forget about that Keith No 5 grip. I wish there was an affordable single action offering with that grip. I keep swearing I will have a Powers Custom grip put on a gun but yikes the cost.

[BearBio]

I like the Colt Bisley grip=much better than the Ruger "Quasi Bisley" for pointing and shooting. Recoil-wise, I guess the Ruger is OK. It seemed to help with my semi-custom Sheriff Model I made up and shot heavy 45 Colt loads in.

[Ivan the Butcher]

I prefer my Ruger Bisley Vaqueros over the same guns with standard grips. I prefer all my Rugers to the Colt grips. As a kid, my dad bought a Colt Bisley in 45 off a widow of a Texas Ranger. I never got to shoot it before Dad sold it for $125 (1964 dollars), he thought he made a good deal. Ivan

[cmort666]

I voted Bisley, but I really like both.

I'd like to get a Cimarron Bisley in .357 or .44 Special, but I'd also like to get a regular one too.

[Snapping Twig]

Bisley is right for me.

Cavalry - faggeddaboutit! Too small by far.

Plow handle works, but prefer Bisley.

Just got a bird's head New Vaquero and OMG! Excellent fit in the hand. Never thought it could be but Ruger knocked it out of the park. Full power 45 colt - not a problem.

[the ringo kid]

I agree w/ Finesse and Walkin Jack--gimme the regular western version. Call me a granny I dont care, call me a tea drinker I dont care, call me an old f**t I dont care, call me old=fashioned----YOU BETCHA!!!!

[RonJ]

Ok you old f**t, i believe you.

[yaktamer]

I've been looking at getting a Super Blackhawk hunter model, and I much prefer the fit of the Bisley, mostly because it's a lot easier for me to thumb the hammer without having to stretch or readjust my grip. I have big hands, but can't get my thumb to move the way most people do -- can't make the Boy Scout salute for example. Of course, the fact that the Bisley has a different hammer may explain my preference more than the grip shape.

[Thuer]

I prefere the Normal grip on the SAA, I do place my little finger under the grip and do have enough grip to shoot right.

[wbraswell]

Original SAA for me. Best natural pointing handgun ever, to me.

[Ranger514]

Standard western grip on my Vaquero works well for me, but I've never yet had a chance to compare with the aiming or recoil of a Bisley. I'm betting I'd like it as well.

[RonJ]

I'm surprised that the poll results are running so close

[Kid44]

I am in the minority when it comes to the Bisley but I just simply can't stand the Bisley grip frame.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by Thuer

I prefere the Normal grip on the SAA, I do place my little finger under the grip and do have enough grip to shoot right.

The Bisley sticks out like a ***d in a punchbowl. I dont have a problem w/ them but just prefer the other style I guess thanks to John and Clint.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by RonJ

I'm surprised that the poll results are running so close

Me too. Its ok though as long as the Western style wins.

[John Frederick Bell]

Colt Bisley...can't stand the Ruger version.

[Ron H.]

Originally Posted by RonJ

Do you prefer a standard grip or a Bisley on single action handguns? Why?

Sir, good thread--I've been curious about this myself. Probably need to find someone locally who'll let you borrow one for a few rounds.

Semper Fi,

Ron H.

[2152hq]

Rugers version I don't care for at all. It doesn't feel comfortable and just doesn't look right either to me.

The Colt Bisley I do like and have for a long time. I had a 32wcf 4 3/4 Bisley but sold it and it's ivory grips.
Still have a 44-40 5 1/2 Bisley that will probably stay with me to the end.
Another Bisley still in a parts box situation now. Needs work to get it up and runnin',,projects,,projects,,

[Fishinfool]

Personally, I like both the regular Colt / Ruger grip frame, and the Super Blackhawk. I have owned a couple Ruger Bisley models, and they smack me pretty hard on the middle finger with heavy loads. Yea, I know that they are not supposed to, but I have large hands, and they do. With the regular Colt style grip frame, I just wrap my little finger under the grip, and let the gun recoil up without issue. The Super grip frame works as well for me also, again, it must be my hand size. Most complain about bruised knuckles when using it... Attached is a 4 3/4 inch 44 mag Blackhawk that came with a standard round trigger guard grip frame. Replaced it with a Super grip frame for a good handling woods gun in bear and moose country.

Larry

[Gunhacker]

It's the combination of a Bisley style hammer on a plow handle grip frame that works for me, I like the recoil distribution of the standard grip better.

[jag312]

Gunblast.com - Bowen Classic Arms Keith No. 5 Revolver - YouTube

Gunblast.com - Alan Harton Custom Keith Number Five 44 Special Revolver - YouTube

[phenson]

I have many S&W's, but this handles .44 Magnum best IMO.

Ruger Super Blackhawk Lipsey's Bisley. 3.75" Barrel.

[RonJ]

This thread has resulted in some very nice pictures. Thanks Guys!!

[sar4937]

I feel a difference between a Colt Bisley and a Ruger Bisley. The Colt feels better in the hand.

[Grayfox]

I've had a long and completely unsucessful relationship with Ruger Single Actions. Nothing wrong with the guns, they just don't fit me. I've had three with the Ruger version of the standard plowhandle. Nope. I had one fitted with a Super Blackhawk grip frame. Nope again. Then I bought a Bisley. It fit my hand much better and shot pretty well for me, but it the long run, it too got sold off. I've given up on Rugers. They just don't work for me.
Recently I started getting the itch for a Single action again. This time I thought I'd go with a Colt type clone. Not wanting to spend much money on this experiment, I bought an Uberti Cattleman Hombre. It feels good in my hand and shoots quite well for me. I like it much better than the Rugers I've owned. BUT, the trigger guard beats the dickens out of my knuckles. I will keep this one for a while. I do like it. Maybe I just need to shoot it for a while and get used to it.
In the meantime, I'm looking for a Schofield.

[RonJ]

Grayfox, I once owned a Hawes in .44 mag. It was big and heavy and I thought it would tame the magnum recoil. But no, I had the same experience as you. Beat my knuckles to a bloody mess!
That is when I learned why Ruger put that concave rear end on some of their trigger guards.

[alwslate]

I have a three screw Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum that I bought
in 1973, near the end of production of the old models. I have managed
to take a few deer with it and though it has a bit of blueing wear it
still looks great. A few years ago I bought a Ruger Bisley .44 mag after
reading numerous magazine articles praising the recoil handling
effect of the Bisley over the standard single action grip. I admit the
Bisley is a better looking gun than my old Super. That low hammer
makes it easy to cock. The first shot I fired out of the Bisley was with
my standard full power hunting handload and that beautiful low
hammer spur took a chunk of flesh out of my thumb knuckle and I was
bleeding on my new gun. I ran back into my house, put a bandaid on
the wound and a glove on my hand. The second shot did the same
thing right through the glove and bandaid. The Beautiful Bisley will
stay but is relegated to midrange loads from now on.