Vaquero Birds Head

[Mainspring]

I'm very seriously considering getting one of these in .45 Colt with a 3.5" barrel.  Anyone here have one...shot one?  What do ya'll think of 'em?

[Jax Orebetter]

Howdy Pard,

I have a pair with the 4 5/8" barrel. I like them a lot!  They deffinately feel different than the Colt style grip and handle recoil differently.  I would recommend that you see if you can find someone that has one and shoot it.  From the Pards that have tried mine, it seems you either like it or you don't. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy,

I reckon I'll trail my rope along with ol' Jax here.  Try one out first.

Also, that grip with that barrel in 45, I don't see that as a duelist gun (one handed) unless you got gorilla mitts.

Adios,

[Jax Orebetter]

I don't know, Hext. I am shooting FCD with my 4 5/8".  That grip just seems to lend itself to shooting Duelist!! :wink:

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Jax,

Put your hand up on the screen










































See, I knew it, look at the size of that hand.  Big as a catchers mitt.      :lol:  :lol:  :wink:

[Jax Orebetter]

Well, I ain't never been accused of being dainty!! :roll:  And my wedding ring is a size 12, so maybe it isn't the right choice for everyone that shoots Duelist. :wink:

[Mainspring]

The birds-head grip is smaller than most standard grips, isn't it??  I'm confused.  :?   Why would a bigger hand be needed?   :?  :?

Another question...how does that grip work out with non-cowboy loads that are a little on the warm side?

[Jax Orebetter]

Mainspring,

I don't know how much smaller they actually are than the SAA style grips. I went from shooting Colt Bisley clones (which also have a different shape.  mmmm I think I am starting to see a pattern  :roll: )  to the BHG. I don't have a great deal of time behind the trigger of a SAA.  Now the Ruger BHG in 32H&R has a smaller grip. It is built on the single six frame. My wife has a pair of those. :wink:  They are about 20% smaller than the Vaquero BHG.  I hope this helps a little.

As far as handling recoil, I haven't put anything but cowboy loads through mine. THe heaviest load I have used is about 35 gr of FF with a 250 gr bullet. I haven't had a chance to run these through a crony, but they are not wimpy loads. I think it handles them pretty well.

[44 Man]

I have small hands and I like the concept of the bird's head grips, but they don't work for me.  Seems the Ruger grips are thicker in the middle than the traditional grips are.  I'd like to try one with the grips thinned, but I don't want to buy one to do that!  Took a bench grinder to the grips on my Freedom Arms .44 a while back.  Thought my buddy Mikie was going to have a heart attack.  After I thinned them, I smoothed them up with steel wool.  Now they feel and work much better for me.  Feels like I would have to do the same to the Ruger grips.  Even the Colt clones are fat in the middle of the grip, nothing a belt sander wouldn't cure!   44 Man

[T. Two Dogs]

Howdy:

I have a pair of the 3.5" BHVs.  Neat! They are different for sure.  They recoil quite differently in the hand and becaue they have a short barrel, they are harder to aim (for me anyway).  They sure to come to a point quickly, however.  I think you should find someone who has a BHV and try it prior to buying one.  They are Absolutely Great Looking....especailly the one's with Black Grips. :grin:

[Mainspring]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'm going to make a point to find one of these to shoot.  Or, I may just get one because they look cool.   :wink:

You guys that have 'em...do they shoot well enough for a main match gun?

[Jax Orebetter]

They shoot better than I do. (of course, that isn't saying much :roll: )