Round Butt?

[HGunner]

I am toying with the idea of a model 97 in 45 colt with a 4.25" barrel for a light but powerful trail gun.  The standard grip fits my hand pretty well but I am curious about the round butt option.  Has anyone tried this option?  How do you like it?  How does it compare to the standard grip?  Does one work better than the other for one handed shooting (a quality I like in a trail gun)?


Thanks,
HGunner

[paul105]

 Like all questions regarding handgun grips, it's a personal thing.  Some like the round butt feature, others not so much.  [/font]I have a 3 ½” round butt, M97 in .45 Colt that came in a three gun deal and I really like it.  I also have a M97 .45 Colt with a 4 ¼” standard butt that I like even better – it would be the last to go if it came to that.  I wouldn’t consider round butting the 4 ¼” gun.

Here are a few pictures.

Compared to a 5 1/2" M97 (.44 Special)



Compared to a 3 1/8" S&W 386 (L Frame)




4 1/4" Standard Butt M97 .45 Colt

[Ken ONeill]

As Paul says, it's a personal thing. I don't like FA round butts, and I've tested one right behind the standard grip, along with 2 friends, with a fair number of rounds shot.

[HGunner]

Well that's enough info to keep me from buying one before I can handle one.  Anyone feel like the 4.25" model 97 handles/shoots significantly better or worse than the 5.5"?

[paul105]

I prefer the 4 1/4" for carrying, but shoot the 5 1/2" marginally better due to the longer sight radius -- again another tradeoff and mostly personal preference.

I'll throw you another wrinkle --

I had always felt that the contour of the winewood grips was different than that of the micartas with the micartas being slightly "fuller" (at least on the ones I have).  I finally got around to checking two M97s and two M83s (winewood vs micarta on both frame sizes).  Using calipers at three different points from the top to bottom of the grips, the winewood grips were narrower at all points.  A very subtle difference but noticeable/preferable to me.  I suspect this will vary from gun to gun and person to person, so your mileage may vary.

Paul

[HGunner]

I have enough experience with the 83 and 97 to support that claim.  The black micarta grips I have handled have been consistenly thicker than the winewood.  I like the looks and durability of the micarta better but I like the feel and handling qualities of the winewood better.  However, I have not yet developed a firm opinion about which one I shoot better.  The fuller grips do seem to distribute recoil slightly better with heavy loads.

[Ken ONeill]

Returning to the barrel length question, I will say that personally, I prefer the 5 1/2" length. I shoot it a bit better, and the longer sight radius gives a bit more light on the sides of the front sight.

[HGunner]

Thanks Ken.  I usually shoot longer barrels a little better too.  The longer the range the more difference it seems to make (based on my Smiths and Rugers).  By the way, if I remember correctly you use the 250 grain XTP in your 45 colts.  Do you have much experience with deer size game and this load?  What muzzle velocity are you running?  What is the lowest muzzle velocity you would be comfortable with this bullet for deer hunting?


Thanks,
HGunner

[Ken ONeill]

In my 5 1/2" 97, I run 17 gr. of 2400 pushing a 250 XTP with CCI 350's for a bit less than 1200 fps. This is as low as I personally want to go on velocity, although some others will disagree.
In my full size Ruger Blackhawks (and Redhawks when I owned 2), I have run 19.5 gr. 2400 with the 250 XTP and CCI 350's for years. I don't have that info handy here, but I think I remember the velocity being around 1300 fps, depending upon barrel length.
Although 1300 fps always makes me a bit happier than 1200 fps, either will handle stuff from jackrabbits through deer and hogs adequately, in my experience. I've not used that bullet on anything larger, preferring the 300 gr. Sierra or 300 XTP, either in regular or Magnum version depending upon the game.
I've had no need or desire to use any 300's in my 97.

[HGunner]

I tried 17.5 grains of recently purchased 2400 with the 250 XTP and the CCI 350.  I got an average velocity of 1007 fps with a 5.5" barrel with a moderate crimp.   I'm wondering why the big difference.  Maybe I have a slow lot of 2400?