Single Actions - Bisley or Plow Handles or Plow Handles with aftermarket grips ?

[BigSlick]

OK,

I been readin a little bit, dangerous, I know, but here I am.

Since I can finally make some sense out of why we oughta be shooting at least one single action, I find there are some questions I need to answer before I go forward.

I see Bisley grips are available. These supposedly offer more recoil management and are easier/more comfortable to shoot with heavy magnum calibers.

I see plow handle grips, available in a wide variety of guns. Lotta folks like em, but complain the recoil causes the grip to shift in your hand with every shot. Most say they prefer Bisley grip frames. Many say forget the Bisley, go with Plow Handle style grip frame and use Pachmyar after market grips, gives you the best of both worlds.

I see all kinds of Rugers with one or the other grip frame, some models offered (at some point) with both.

I'm thinkin somethin in s nice .41 Mag, 38/40-10mm convertable (you hearin me JT ? remember last year when ya had one you was gonna sell ) , maybe a .357 Mag. Anything less don't interest me too much, and anything heavier don't interest me from a shootin it standpoint, or I cain't afford it (as in Freedom Arms).

Have any of you done the aftermarket grip on a plow handle grip frame thing ? Would it be better to look for a Bisley to begin with ?

What are ya missin out on if you limit your search criteria to a Bisley frame only ?

I'm likin the Blackhawk, just because they are hella strong. Any other bonafide decent options out there that are strong enough to load for long term that will hold up like a Blackhawk without costin a small fortune ?

I really want a version that is comfortable to shoot, else I won't shoot it, and it a be gone. I like mid range calibers cause they are just cool, plus, I prolly got the tooling to load for em available.

Somebody school me on the finer points here

[MONTEGOD7SS]

I absolutely can't hold onto a SA as well as a nice big fat DA grip like on a Smith or Ruger. Honestly, I can't see myself ever owning a SA in my lifetime just because I hate the grips so much. Obviously I'm in the minority here, but there's not a single thing about them I like.

[Mogollon]

In calibers from 41 mag and up, the Bisley grip distributes recoil better. The Ruger Bisley grip is actually much closer to the Elmer Keith #5 gripframe, a mix of Colt Single Action and Bisley gripframe and backstrap.Largebore Ruger Bisleys were made in 357, 44 and 45 Colt.
The Ruger 38/40-10mm is a limited edition run made several years ago for a distributor, Buckeye Sports. It is not a catalog item. I would love one, but they are $$.
Either a 41 or used 44 is probably the least expensive, but a 30 Carbine is another intriguing caliber to consider, like a a crackkilla on speed.:stylin:
Avoid the New Model vaquero in 45 for hot loading. The cylinder is smaller in diameter than the original Vaqueros, and unable to handle the same pressures as the older, larger version.

[gwalchmai]

I have a .45 Convertible Blackhawk. I've tried original, Pacs, and Hogues on it. Pacs and Hogues feel great but look funny. I put the originals back on from time to time and can shoot it OK, but for hot loads I like the Pacs best.

[panman]

Had a bisley in 45 colt.DDDAAANNNGGGG,i wish i still had it!!!!!.Great shootin with HOT loads,& heavy slugs.Comfort pluss.Realy miss it.The cylender was solid,no scallops.I have sold a lot of nice guns over the years,but that one i want back.pan.

[Brass Nazi]

The Ruger 38/40-10mm is a limited edition run made several years ago for a distributor, Buckeye Sports. It is not a catalog item. I would love one, but they are $$.


If you look nice and hard and are patient you can find them for around 4 bills. Not really much more than a standard Blackhawk.

[dougader]

Most guys like the Bisley for heavier recoiling guns. But there are some who prefer the plowhandle grip. Just like everything, different people like different things. I think what first drew me to the Bisley gripframe was their similarities to a double action revolver gripframe. And it still rolls up in your hand; the best of both worlds IMO.

There's a guy in Montana who posted a pic of his Bisley with a plowhandle grip added. For me, that was blasphemy. But for him it was perfect. He hates the Bisley grip.

Some people like Pachmayer grips on a Blackhawk. Not me. If its soft 45 Colt (255 @ 900 or less) then I prefer the wood grips. If its a heavy hitter, then I stay with a grip that will still roll in your hand (wood, ivory, micarta, etc) but change to the Bisley grip. I have fired a full house 44 mag with Pachmayers. Sure, they absorb recoil, but the shape of the plowhandle gripframe still rolls up (flips up hard in a 44 mag or heavier gun) and the Pachmayers stick to your skin. I about ripped the skin off the palm of my hand using Pachmayers with that 7.5" 44 mag. Not good for me.

The best thing is if you can go out shooting with some guys and try out the different styles... or at least hold them in your hand to compare how they feel to you.

I will say, though, even for the guys that prefer the old Colt or plowhandle style grip, a lot of them seem to prefer good after market grips from CLC, Private Schultz or 41 magnum over on the rugerforum site.

I would also say, if you get a 357 mag Blackhawk I wouldn't think the recoil would bother you much with either gripframe. But if you go for a 41 mag or higher then you'll really want to make sure what grip you like before spending the dough.