Super Blackhawk Hunter .44 mag -- Should I get Bisley-Style Grip or Regular???

[Ore]

I have been wanting a revolver to hunt with for a while, and after fighting with myself over .357 vs. .41 vs. 44, and Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, etc., I have finally decided to go with the Super Blackhawk Hunter version in stainless, .44 mag.  Probably won't scope it, but at least I'll easily have the option.

Anyhow, my only question left is:  Bisley grips or regular??  I have heard that the Bisley grips are more comfortable on the hands when shooting as far as recoil goes, but have not and will not be able to try one out before buying.  I do have an old Iver Johnson .22 that appears to have the Bisley style grip (although I never knew that's what it was called).  It does feel more comfortable that other .22's, as there seems to be more room for your fingers (longer maybe).

It would be great to try one out ahead of time, but nobody around here carries it, and I don't know anybody with one.  Therefore, I just have to order on faith and the word of others.  Anyhow, I'd really appreciate your opinions on this, as this is a big purchase for me.

Thanks in advance.

[revo]

Hi Ore. I always liked the feel of the Bisley grip better on the Ruger. I find it more comfortable to shoot. Also feels more natural in my hand. However, there are many that feel the exact opposite. This is a tough one...

I hear you, sometimes it's hard to find both in the same place for comparison. Have you exhausted all possibilities of handling both styles to help you make your decision? Any gun shows coming your way anytime soon?

[jk3006]

I like the Bisley way more than the other one, but every person is different.

[kennisondan]

Standard ruger grips are short for my hands and I always ended up putting custom oversized grips on the stadnard super blackhawk.. I now much prefer the bisley... and when I shoot heavier recioiling loads there is no comparison.. I think that fewer prefer the standard grip when heavy recoil is involved .. or even may be involved.
the custom smiths that build upon rugers only use the bissly for a lot of their work, because of its handling  and recoil characteristics. A bisely will also re sell easier, it seems, should that occur.
I am not the greatest expert, but my experience with the ruger is very long, and I wish I had tried ruger bisley grips long ago.. I will shoot nothing else if I have the choice now.
If you were to just say tell me what you like, I would wager the poll would favor the bisley , especially if the responders have used both extensiively.
Just my two cent.
dk

[Ken ONeill]

Give me the Super Blackhawk Grip.

[swampthing]

Which ever is most comfortable in your hand.
I'd go with the Bisley. I found the "way" the guns recoil to be pretty much the same for both guns. Bisley's hammer is curved more downward for ease of cocking, trigger has a deeper radius on it for less of a reach and more of a closed fist/grip. The Handle has more length so all my fingers fit on it.
 Aside from the hammer spur and  deeper bent trigger there is one thing to note. Other than the handle/lower frame, which is nothing but the trigger guard, the guns are identical, if you buy one and you don't like the fit, you can buy the other "lower" grip/frame style and bolt it on your frame. "Voila" you now have both.
I'd just go with the Bisley, gives you a little more to hold on to.

[BlkHawk73]

  i like both of course but prefer the Bisley.  Just more comfortable and natural.

[Lloyd Smale]

I like them both. Recoil isnt a factor to me until you get over heavy 44 and 45 loads. Either of them can be easily handled by both. When you get into the really big big bores the bisley wins hands down. Ive shot 500 linebaughs on standard grips and it aint much fun! That all been said if i had to choose one grip it would be the  bisley. I HATE THE DRAGOON grip with the square backed trigger that thing hurts me even with 44 mag loads.

[jcn59]

My SS SBH Hunter has the Bisley grip & I like it better than the others.  On Ebay, there have been dozens of standard grip frames for sale but only one Bisley grip frame that I remember.  That ought to tell you something about the popularity of the Bisley grip.

[shakey]

Ore...   

As the others have said... it is a very personal thing and you REALLY need to try out both grips for yourself if at all possible. 

I believe different people perceive and are bothered by different aspects of recoil.  Some are bothered by the guns reaction to firing by flipping up and going basically out-of-control.  Others manage to ignore the guns reaction and are more bothered by the guns impact on the firing hand... in other words, the actual PAIN. (I am in the second group).

All of this is further complicated by how a person grips a gun (high/low, firm/loose, etc...) and how tough/tender, and strong/weak their hand is.

I grip the gun as high as possible, and would have to categorize my hand as weak and tender.  Shooting the standard SBH grip, a .44 mag. rotates pretty far in my hand and winds up pointing way up in the air but, it does not hurt my hand.   A Bisley grip does not rotate as much but hits my palm harder and gets a little painful after a while.  Neither grip poses much problem at .44 mag levels but, I tolerate the rotation better than the pain before flinchitus sets in.

BUT, the Bisley grip is easier for me to hold/aim steady, especially with muzzle heavy guns like the hunter.  Even more especially with a scope on it.

Personally... I'd buy the Bisley if it was available but would take the standard if that's all they had.  Then... if you are not completely satisfied (as swampthing says) order the "other" grip frame and have BOTH.

Bottom line is that neither grip is perfect but either one is very acceptable if you don't let yourself obsess over the finer details too much.  Buy and enjoy either one but plan on trying the other one somewhere down the road.

[1x2]

Ore,

Another vote for the Bisley grip.  Even with the .22LR single sixes I've owned I shoot better with the Bisley grip and when heavy recoil is involved with the longer-barreled heavy Blackhawks, I'll only shoot the Bisley.  Having shot heavily-loaded 320gr bullets out of a Bisley .45 colt, it's my opinion that it's as comfortable to shoot as 350gr bullets through the S&W 500 with their X-frame grip, which I've also shot, and more comfortable than shooting heavy loads through my S&W 629 Light Hunter with Eagle Heritage grips.  BTW, I'm less than 6' tall, 148 lbs., and have average-sized hands.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide!
 
1x2