Bisley Vaquero 357 -- 5 1/2 barrel

[Bart Solo]

I have located a pair of Bisley Vaqueros in 357. They are said to be NIB, and from a quick inspection they don't show any wear.  They are heavier than my NM Vaqueros in 45 but they seem to point nice and the Bisley grip is way cool.  I intend to use them pretty hard as main match cowboy guns. If my wife takes up cowboy shooting as she keeps threatening, she will probably use them.  Does the Bisley Vaquero have any known flaws.  I understand the Bisley grip is a target grip. Does that help or hurt if you want to get off a lot of shots in a hurry?  Finally, would the extra weight be a problem for a woman shooter?

[BigMuddy]

The Bisley grip itself poses no problems in CAS, but the hammers make them more prone to "short strokes". She will have to make sure she keeps the guns gripped low. If her grips slips up high, that is when the turned down hammer will hit the web of her hand, assuming she will be cocking with the off hand and shooting two handed.

My wife shot Bisley 45's for a couple years, and that was the only problem she had. She really liked the feel of the grip shape. She has since switched to Cimarron model P's in 38-40.

[Bart Solo]

Did the extra weight of the Old Model Vaquero create any problem for your wife? 

[Old Fart]

Off topic a bit I just picked one of these up in a 4 inch barrel and a birdshead grip and absolutely love it.

[BigMuddy]

Did the extra weight of the Old Model Vaquero create any problem for your wife? 

No it didn't. She liked the added weight to tame the recoil of the 45 Colt round. With that said, she does like the lighter weight Model P's better now. What I have found with my wife...if she likes it she likes it and if she don't she don't. She never knows until she tries a gun. I suggest you just let her try them, and if she does NOT like the weight, buy her different guns and keep those for yourself.

OT a little, but I could never get her to try my '97 12 ga. She shot a 20 ga double and it kicked her pretty hard. I kept telling her a 12 with light loads would kick less. FINALLY in one match she tried "my" '97. On the next stage it was "the" '97. By the time we got to the last stage, I was shooting "her" '97.

[Charlie Foxtrot]

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I shoot a pair of Roooger OMV Bisleys in SASS.  I initially liked the fact the grip was bigger and fit my overgrown paws.  I soon fell in love as them pointed very well in my Glock trained hands.  The grip angle matches the Glock grip angle and the guns come up on the target almost automatically.   

They are bigger and heavier then the NMVs.  However, you can now get the Bisley grip on the lighter NMV. And I occasionally short stroke the gun due to the hammer shape. 

All in all, I luv 'em!