ruger blackhawk 45 bisley?

[hillbill]

im definitely in the market for a new ruger handgun of the single action type. i was looking at the 45 convertibles. not sure id be happy with the 5.5 barrel and i see the bisley has a 7.5 in barrel. really like the looks of it also.ive never handled a gun in the bisley configuration. i know i like the low hammer cuz my dad has a vaquero with it.my main use will be deer hunting with possibly some carry for varmints and target shooting.ill more than like be shooting commercial cast bullets in it. any opinions of yu guys that have messed with this gun would be greatly appreciated.

[tacklebury]

Not trying to change your mind if you've made it up, but I love the 5.5" NMB Convertible.  This is mine.  I have held the 7.5" and it's not horribly long, but is somewhat unwieldy and more difficult to holster and unholster.  The 5.5 gives good accuracy as I can hit clay pigeons at 35+ yards consistently and have often hit the 10" square gong at 50-75 yards.  At 100 yards with iron sights, it's a bit long and I can only hit the plate occasionally.  I have my H&R .45 Colt Buffalo Classic that I am going to carry for anything past 50 yards though in hunting.  I intend to get some upgraded wood grips from Privates Grips, but am finishing spending stuff to prep for hunting seasons and haven't done so yet.  I LOVE the ability to throw in the .45 ACP cylinder though and use cheap .45 acp's and it's almost more accurate with them.    Just some thoughts from a NMB lover. 

[BlkHawk73]

  Any Ruger SA is a good one.    If you've never handled a Bisley, I'd do so before buying one as they're often a hate it or love it thing with people.  Personally, I love 'em.  As my favorite configuration, I've got 10 or 12 of them here.    They allow for a more comfortable roll and give me a better feel and balance regardless of bbl length.  I also prefer the looks.   
  Also have the convertable and like most I hear about with them, the ACP cylinder rarely gets used.  That 45lc is just too darn fun.   As another option, there's still plenty of the stainless 5 1/2" stainless Bisleys available in both the single cylinder and as a convertable. 

[Mike Harmon]

I'm absolutely love all things 45 Bisley. I think you'll find once you start upping the loads to a 300 grainers  you'll really apprecaite the Bisley grip. I've used Bisleys for many years and I don't even get my Blackhawks out anymore.
5.5" barrels are easier to handle, but you will lose some velocity. In most cases that doesn't matter such at deer hunting ranges.
Good Luck

[tacklebury]

the ACP cylinder rarely gets used. 

Mine sure does!  I shoot almost as many ACP's at the range.  Plus, if I need a box of ammo quick for targets and haven't found the time to reload recently, I can grab a box of .45 acp under 20 bucks at several stores in my area.  .45 Colts (other than a small supply at Walmart this time of year only) are SUPER hard to come by most times.  That's my primary like.  Also, if you get a good heavy load, it performs stellar and uses 1/2 the powder to do so.  My goto load for target & plinking is 5 gr. Unique and a 200 gr. RNFP bullet, which also shoots great in every 1911/auto pistol I've tried them so far.  My target load for the colt is 8 gr. Unique.  Plus the brass is cheap and readily available.  I was given over 1000 and have access to about 4000 more from the same source if desired.    With my LC brass, I haven't been able to get Starline at all and even the Winchester can be tough to get.  I've had to wait 6 mo. recently to find a bag, which really stinks.  Here's an article with some loading information about RUGER .45acp cylinders only too.  Using this data, I get the equivalent to my 23 Gr. H110 loads in velocity with 12gr. Longshot.  They are stiff if you try them though. 

Dohh their database is having issues today.  I was there yesterday and it was fine.  If it comes back online, Use this link and then under recent tests at the left is the .45 acp in the convertible article:  http://www.handloads.com/

[hillbill]

the ACP cylinder rarely gets used. 

Mine sure does!  I shoot almost as many ACP's at the range.  Plus, if I need a box of ammo quick for targets and haven't found the time to reload recently, I can grab a box of .45 acp under 20 bucks at several stores in my area.  .45 Colts (other than a small supply at Walmart this time of year only) are SUPER hard to come by most times.  That's my primary like.  Also, if you get a good heavy load, it performs stellar and uses 1/2 the powder to do so.  My goto load for target & plinking is 5 gr. Unique and a 200 gr. RNFP bullet, which also shoots great in every 1911/auto pistol I've tried them so far.  My target load for the colt is 8 gr. Unique.  Plus the brass is cheap and readily available.  I was given over 1000 and have access to about 4000 more from the same source if desired.    With my LC brass, I haven't been able to get Starline at all and even the Winchester can be tough to get.  I've had to wait 6 mo. recently to find a bag, which really stinks.  Here's an article with some loading information about RUGER .45acp cylinders only too.  Using this data, I get the equivalent to my 23 Gr. H110 loads in velocity with 12gr. Longshot.  They are stiff if you try them though. 

Dohh their database is having issues today.  I was there yesterday and it was fine.  If it comes back online, Use this link and then under recent tests at the left is the .45 acp in the convertible article:  http://www.handloads.com/
jeez tb yu are really making it hard to decide!ruger has offered to send me a new production pistol in place of my ROA they couldnt fix.ive narrowed it down to the bisley and the convertible.after seeing your pics and your testimonial im really leaning towards the convertible. it was my origanal choice but then i thought i mite like the longer barrel on the bisley. but then the shorter barrel will handle and carry better plus yu got the extra cylinder.ive already got a 45 acp auto.i know ill prob have to get the cylinder throats reamed for cast stuff.it also looks like the bisley is a matte type finish which im not all that crazy about but it does have better grips.im going to study on it some more but the convertible looks like it will be more usefull in the long run for what i need.

[dan3]

Hillbill,  I would suggest you take a look at the Ruger Stainless Steel Bisley Blackhawk .45colt/.45acp convertable with the 5 1/2" barrel. I have several...LOVE THEM. the .45colt can be loaded mild or WILD!
It is one of the most versatile cartridges around. Around home, mine are usually loaded with 250gr cast bullets loaded @ 900-1000fps. If I'm in the "boonies"...its a Hard Cast 325gr or 340gr loaded HOT!!!. I find the Bisley grip to be very comfortable with the heavy loads.  Good luck on whatever you choose. Dan

[hillbill]

Hillbill,  I would suggest you take a look at the Ruger Stainless Steel Bisley Blackhawk .45colt/.45acp convertable with the 5 1/2" barrel. I have several...LOVE THEM. the .45colt can be loaded mild or WILD!
It is one of the most versatile cartridges around. Around home, mine are usually loaded with 250gr cast bullets loaded @ 900-1000fps. If I'm in the "boonies"...its a Hard Cast 325gr or 340gr loaded HOT!!!. I find the Bisley grip to be very comfortable with the heavy loads.  Good luck on whatever you choose. Dan

i have seen the bisleys yu are talking about and really liked them, however they are not in the current catalog.ruger says i have to choose from current catalog for my replacement gun, cant really argure with them. the gun i really wanted was a stainless convertible bisley with the 5.5 in barrel.but its not in the catalog either.

[BlkHawk73]

i have seen the bisleys yu are talking about and really liked them, however they are not in the current catalog.ruger says i have to choose from current catalog for my replacement gun, cant really argure with them. the gun i really wanted was a stainless convertible bisley with the 5.5 in barrel.but its not in the catalog either.

  Grab one of the standard Bisleys and enjoy!  For em the extra couple inches balances nicer than the 5 1/2" models.  Plenty of each here but I like the longer ones best.   Beggers can't be choosers.

[flexjr]

If your're not opposed to putting in a little elbow grease, get a 51/2 inch blackhawk and a bisley conversion kit from brownell's. it requires some fitting and finishing but to my hands there is no comparison between a bisley and a xr3 red. actually that is my project gun for next year.I have done it to my 41 mag blackhawk and it balances and feels great. recoil control is much better even with slick wood grips versus the checkered rubber on the blackhawk. just my two cents

[tacklebury]

Or you can get nice wood grips for your Blackhawk.  I intend to purchase a custom set from Esmerilda, but she's backed up atm and not accepting orders right now.  Private's are very nice also and can have the medallion.  He's quoted me a working set in Black/Grey laminate and my choice of some different options for a little over the base price.  Check both out. 

http://www.esmeralda.cc/rugergrips.htm

http://www.privatescustomgrips.com/Order_XR3Red_Grips.html p.s. he will make many other materials also.  Just email him if you want something not shown. 

[Autorim]

If you have to choose from the standard line up, I would go with the standard Bisley. I have had one for many years - shoots great.