Just Bought .44 Mag. Bisley Vaquero

[Mainer]

I made the rounds of the local pawn shops today thinking that people would be turning in guns to raise Christmas money and that there would be good deals to be had.

I came across a 5 1/2" case hardened .44 Mag. Bisley Vaquero in excellent condition.  The owner of the shop said the guy who traded it in had inherited it and had no use for it.  I purchased the gun and a box of PMC .44 Spec. cowboy cartridges for $320.00.

I really like the size and feel of this gun.  I was looking for a big bore handgun that wouldn't pitch my brass into a snowbank in the winter.

This is my first center fire, single action revolver and my first .44 Mag.

Anyone else here own a .44 Mag. Vaquero or Bisley Vaquero?  How do you like it?  Ever used it for hunting?

[Lloyd Smale]

short barreled bisley vaqueros are my favorite hunting handguns

[Mainer]

Llyod:  Glad to hear you like Bisley Vaqueros for hunting.

Originally, I mistakenly typed that the gun had a 4 5/8" barrel, it has the 5 1/2" barrel.  I don't know what I was thinking.  

The 5 1/2" is my favorite.  It seems to me to be the perfect compromise between portability and shootability.

[Ahab]

I have two BV's. Oddly, the 4 5/8" groups better than the longer barrel.
Both have slicked up actions, 11 degree forcing cones, new base pins, Wolf springs, and are more capable than I am. I originally had a Vaq. but after shooting a friends BV I traded. I really like the grips, trigger and hammer better for stiff loads.

[Mainer]

I just got back from the indoor range.  Fired 50 rounds of PMC 240 gr .44 Spec. cowboy ammo.  The gun handles nicely.  Recoil wasn't even noticeable.  However, about half way through the shooting session the hammer became harder to cock.  I suspect some unburned powder crept its way into some part.

I need to come up with an all around load for this gun.  The gun club I belong to doesn't allow .44 Mag. loads at the indoor range.  I wonder if they'll allow my to use .44 Spec. loads in .44 Mag. cases.

[obxmike]

Ya'll cut it out!! I'm starting to think about trading my plow handles in for some bisleys!
Seriously, though, I love the vaquero lineup. I've had nothing but good luck from mine. (.45 5.5" blue & .44 7.5" ss)
Plan on the .44 being the main gun for my hunt later this week. Close cover, swamp, no long shots. Just SO much easier trekking thru the thick stuff with a handgun vs a rifle/shotgun.
Glad to hear you're tickled with yours!

Mike

[Mainer]

Yup, I'm in love with the Bisley.  So much so I ordered up $172.00 worth of brass, bullets, dies, etc. from Midway.

[leverfan]

I've got a pair of 44 mag Vaqueros that I use for cowboy action competition and trail gun duty.  Most of my loads are 200 grain Mav Dutchman bullets over 32 grains of Goex fffg.  Great guns, very reliable, and no action work needed to survive the rigors of cowboy competition.

[Old Griz]

:cb2: Uh-oh . . . Did you say your first SA revolver??!!!? Well get ready bucko cuz they are really addictive. They are a heck of a lot more fun to shoot than any other handgun, and I like the Bisley most of all. I have a 5.5" Bisley Vaquero (.44) that I don't hunt with, but could I guess. It loves the Magtech factory ammo. I was worried at first about fixed sights, but this stuff shoots a small one hole group that is fantastic.

Make room in the old gun safe, cuz once you've been bit by the SA bug, there will be more a comin'![/i]