Blackhawk or Bisley

[RicMic]

I'm in the market for a big bore pistol and have about $500 to spend.  I'm considering a Blackhawk in .41 or .45 (I reload) or a Bisley in .44 or .45.  There is also a chance for a Raging Bull in .480.  Is the .45 that much more flexable with handloads?  Is the .480 just too one dimensional.  I mainly punch paper but, may try to punch a deer this fall.  Right now I'm leaning towards a Bisley in .45.  Any other options out there you folks think I should be looking at?

[mparks]

I have a .41 Blackhawk and Redhawk as well has a .45 Bisley.

For me, the Bisley grip is more comfortable under recoil than the standard Blackhawk.  The .41 Blackhawk beats up my ring finger on the trigger guard a little bit with hotter loads.  I have kind of large palms and short, stubby fingers.  Not enough to be a huge problem but another reason I prefer the Bisley.  I like the looks of the Blackhawk grip a little more though.

I like my .45 a little better because bullets, brass, and bullet moulds for the .45 are a lot easier to find than in .41 and there is more potential at the top end with heavier bullets with the .45.  In all reality, I handload them both to about the same level for my purposes so it doesn't make much difference.

Just my $.02.

[BlkHawk73]

  I've got Blackhawks and/or Bisleys in all those chamberings.  The Bisley grip to me feels better and is much nicer to use with hotter loads.  Like mentioned before with some people the middle knuckle can get whacked with some spicy loads in the .41  as well as the .44 mag.  I notice it more so with the .41 - not so much heavier recoil just differnt motion of recoil. 
  The .45 Colt is a bit more versatile with handloads as you can run the gamut from very mild to very wild.  I like the .41 but the bullt availabilit isn't as great as with the others.  Still a great cartridge though.  The Bisley's were made in .41 magnum and a forgotten supply of them was distributed around last year.   They're still able to be found but will command a slight premium where as the .44 and .45 Bisley's are still in production. 
  Besides the regualr blued 7 1/2" models, there's also been runs of the Bisley model in stainless with 5 1/2" bbls.  Fairly small runs for the distributor Acusport.  Thus these are known as the Acusport Bisleys.  Far less common and even a used one can fetch upwards of $500 depending on the chambering.  I can say these shorter bbl ones do balance a bit nicer for me. 

  As much as really like the .45 Colt one in .44 magnum has the benefit of being able to use .44 specials also.  Gives a easier shooting session rather than the hotter .44 mag loads.  If you're already loading for .45 Colt stick with it and go with that chambering.  It's more than capable of being a great deer cartridge. 

[DGrig]

I am also in the market for a Bisley.  I had a SBH Hunter and I and grip never got along.  Much of this is personal preference, but after handling a number of the Bisleys I am looking to get one in 44 mag since that is what I reload and hunt with.  I have a SRH with the 9 1/2 barrel that is my main hunting machine but, like you want a more enjoyable target revolver.  So the Ruger Bisley in a 7 1/2" barrel is my next purchase.  I would love to find one is stainless, but I would also like it to have a 6 or 6 1/2" barrel so I could still hunt with it.  Here in Ohio 6" is the minimum barrel length for hunting with a handgun. 

[superdown]

  wow that's one heck of a deal really wish i could afford that right now. as to your question Ive owned both the blackhawk/bisley and vaquero and single six i have know idea how experienced a shooter you are so i would say if you are at all recoil shy or just dont like to be punished get the bisley or the raging bull the 480s have more of a push than snap and if I'm not mistaken the RB is ported so that would definitely help. good luck with your choice. superdown

[RicMic]

Since my first post, I traveled to a gun shop that had a Bisley Vaquero in .357 for $375.  So I got to handle the Bisley style frame and liked it very much, although I won't buy it because I want adjustable sights and a forty something caliber.  Trouble is the same shop has a mint Thompson-Center Contender with two 10" bull barrels, one in 22LR and the other in 44MAG for $500 and I like that too.

Graybeard: I appreciate the offer.  The RB 480 I was thinking of belongs to a coworker that may let it go cheap (like when some folks take a gun to a shop and say "just give me cash for it".)

My local shop wants $380+tax for a Blackhawk and $475+tax for the Bisley both new guns.  I'm going to check out a few more shops and online sites before I buy.  I don't get big block of cash like this to spend very often, and I'm still thinking Bisley.

[fowler]

Buy the Bisley for the little bit of $ difference you will never regret spending the money, but will regret it if you don't. And if you reload the 45 colt is hands down the most versatile handgun cartridge out there. I have loads for 160gr to 400gr loads and all are fun to shoot.

[Tom C.]

I have one Accusport .45 Bisley and about a dozen Blackhawks in various calibers. I have large hands. I find grip shape and thickness are very important to whether a gun fits an individual. I am very happy with Eagle Gunfighter grips on my Blackhawks. I found I was getting my knuckle rapped by my Bisley until I tried several grips and found grips that positioned my hand differently to prevent the rapping. I find I prefer the Blackhawk grip.

[John R.]

I like the Bisley grip much more than the Blackhawk, especially with heavy loads. I don't like having to wrap my little finger under the grip on the Blackhawk.

[RicMic]

The search ended in a strange way with a 5" S&W 629 Classic in 98%+ condition.  Came with brass, dies, holster, mounted red dot scope, and rear sight.

[poncaguy]

Just a note, saw on the ruger.com forum, the 480 Ruger is being dropped by Ruger...........

[Old Griz]

I'm kinda biased. I have two .44 Bisleys, and a .44 Bisley Vaquero. So you know which one I'd suggest.

[Lloyd Smale]

bisley all the way but those n frame smiths are nice guns too.

[Old Griz]

How true, how true. That's why ya need BOTH.