xd .45, bisley .45 lc/ .45 acp or sp101 .357: only one. Which? Help!

[quasne.inc]

So I may have to sell some guns pretty soon for financial reasons and will probably only be able to keep one handgun.  Which would you choose to keep and why?  I have a 4 in barrel xd .45 acp, a ruger bisley 5 1/2 in barrel .45 colt with a .45 acp cylinder and a ruger sp101 3 in barrel in .357 mag.  I live in northern ut right now where defense from people is my primary concern, but we may be moving back home to wy soon where I am more concerned about wild animals. So if yall could give me some feedback I would appreciate it.  I need somneone to bounce ideas off of cause I can't bare the thought of getting rid of any of them, but my kids gotta eat.

[tacklebury]

I would have to keep the Bisley with .45 colt and ACP.  I currently have my blackhawk convertible and it'd be the last one to go for me.  I can reload with balls down for small game, shot shells, moderate defensive and deer hunting or heavy for bear, elk moose.  Nothing much more flexible.  That's just my personal opinion, of course. 

[quasne.inc]

The bisley is my favorite and i like that I can shoot multiple cartridges out of it.  Its a bit heavy for carry unless I can find a decent holster for it.

[Scibaer]

the  bisley .45 would be my choice, hands down . for all the reasons tacklebury stated, you get alot of options with that bisley
sell the rest, buy a good rig and holster..
just my 2 cents

[quasne.inc]

I agree.  I think the Bisley would be the hardest to let go and the hardest to replace since it is a limited run edition.  Any holster recommendations?  Not necessarily for ccw, just something that anyone has any experience carrying large revolvers comfortably for long periods of time.  I appreciate the replies.

[tacklebury]

Sorry having reply issues...
These are a pretty good deal at the Sportsman's Guide:  See Model in list WX2-82305
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/hunter-crossdraw-leather-holster-fits-medium-to-large-frame-double-action-revolvers.aspx?a=129816

You can also use them over the shoulder with the purchase of a belt, to go over clothing.

They also have the Cowboy style rigs reasonably priced: See Model in list WX2-165171
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/classic-old-west-styles-six-shooter-holster-antiqued-brown.aspx?a=575770



Or if you are really cheap like me, I purchased a old fashioned black powder pistol holster for 13 bucks and I'm making my own shoulder add on, so I can use it with either pistol.  There's a little extra length when I put the blackhawk in it, but it fits pretty securely.
http://www.thegunworks.com/custprodgun.cfm?ProductID=40&do=detail&Cat2Option=no
and using this for the shoulder sash.
http://www.thegunworks.com/custprodgun.cfm?ProductID=42&do=detail&Cat2Option=no

[quasne.inc]

Thanks for the links tacklebury.  Gotta love sportsmans prices.

[don heath]

Depends if you have a concealed carry permit If you wish to carry daily then a .357 3" is a good way to go...oh and on big bears I would rather have the penetration offered by a .357 than the hole size offered by the .45.

that said, I carry (concealed) a 5" .44 every day...becuase that is what I could get a permit for...and my 3" M60 .357 which is IMHO the perfect urban carry gun (and not a bad rural one) stays home as my wifes house gun becuase of permiting issues.

I must also relate a fun story- my best friend carries an early Colt peacemaker- usually with black powder loads (as a personal eccentric choice away from his issue sig or F.N. high power). 4 government goons armed with AK 47's tried to relive him of some diplomatic mail...colt 2 , AK's Nill and the surviving goons looking real stupid. It is not what you carry as much as how you carry and how you train. My mate can relibaly draw and hit a man at 15 yards in under .5 seconds with the old 1890's vintage colt. People don't expect that!

[WD45]

If 90% of its use would be for 2 legged critters and CCW then I would keep the SP. If 90 % of use would be for 4 legged critters keep the bisley. Most people are not as proficient as Don's buddy with a single action especially when crap hits the fan

[quasne.inc]

Looks like there is a good chance we will be moving back to Wyoming so I am definantly going to keep the bisley.  And with how cold it is for so long if I can find a holster I like it shouldnt be too hard to conceal with all the layers this Alabama boy wears to kepp warm.  And if this move works out and I or my wife get a better job then I wont have to sell any of them which is way better.  I regret selling almost every gun I have sold in the past.  Thanks for your opinions and ideas. 

[Rolandedwinjohnson]

Bisley, most flexible.  I had a bisley in 44Mag w/ 5.5 in bbl once upon a time.  I had to lose it when laid off.  It was a very accurate gun.  I only kept my DW 357. 

[SHOOTALL]

I would go with the 357 mag. although the 45 can shoot more ammo with regard to case it really dosen't offer any more bullet choice than what can be loaded in a 45 Colt case. The 357 mag is more useful in that it can be a CCW gun or a belt gun. Years ago (late 70's) I read an article where it stated many cowboys of today carry a 357 mag , in the case of the article they liked a Python . I'm sure there are cowboys or others in the outdoors that carry both today . But its hard to dispute the effectivness of the 357 mag. Also you can carry more 357 mag ammo and reload more for the same cost. And cost seems a logical concern in this day and time. As a persomal note I carried a redhawk hunting for years . Now i switch between a 10 mm and a 357 mag. In reality they both offer about the same preformance. I have not even noted reloading the weapon or such.