Purpose of the Bisley type grip and hammer? Pros and cons?

[mannyrock]

Dear Folks,

   Sorry to ask such an elementary question.  I have never handled or shot a Bisley type single action.  What was the original purpose of these features?  What are the pros and cons compared to a normal colt type grip and hammer?

  Thanks for any info.

Mannyrock

[gcrank1]

Bisley was the famous British range for match shooting. The Model P Colt's was a natural pointer for many, and a proven 'combat' gun, but lacked what the target shooters of the day considered the proper, deliberate grip (sound familar?) and hammer spur.
Im sure others can fill in much more detail, but that is the gist of it. I have handled some clones and the Ruger 'Bisley' and prefer the Ruger. It was based on an 'improved' design by Elmer Keith and (?) Harold Croft of a Colt's and sits much better in my hand as it incorporates a 'filler' at the top inside curve of the grip frame. The Ruger is not, though, Colt'ish if you prefer the historical piece. Also try handling them in several barrel lengths as the balance for your purpose will be greatly affected by it. BTW, stay away from the nickle plated versions, you wont be able to see the sights properly.

[Flint]

gcrank1 has the gist of it.  The normal "plough handle" grip of the Single Action Army seems to point the best from the hip, or below eye level and the hammer is too high for bullseye shooting without disturbing the sight picture.  The Bisley grip makes an easier proper sight picture hold when the revolver is level with your eye.  The hammer is lower and easier to cock when shooting one handed.

If you shoot the Ruger Bisley in as heavy recoiling caliber as the 44 Magnum, you willl find the recoil taken up in the palm of the hand rather than by rotation as with the Blackhawk grip.  There is less chance of the hammer digging a hole in your hand behind your thumb under recoil.

I had one some years ago, and really liked it as a shooter, but I cannot abide the Ruger New Model action, and sold it.  If there were an Old Model 3-Screw Bisley, I would own one.

[Autorim]

Ditto on the previous posts. I don't have any problems with the new model Rugers. However, mine have all been sent to Alan Harton for custom trigger, sights, cylinder work and other touches. When they return, they are far better shooters than I am. I love Bisleys for heavier calibers.

[Onty]

...I have never handled or shot a Bisley type single action.  What was the original purpose of these features? ...

If you are thinking about getting one, I would suggest try it before making purchase. Go on shooting range and ask around, most likely somebody who has it, and, again, most likely it will be 44 magnum. However, in order to see how revolver behaves, you must shoot FULL load ammo. If you shoot somebody’s reloads that are basically 44 Special in 44 magnum case, you would not have real picture. I would strongly suggest get box of FACTORY ammo and ask owner(s) to try it. Almost everybody will let you shoot factory ammo, but nobody will let shoot somebodys' reloads, especially top ones.

Here is from top smiths about Ruger Bisley:

Bowen; http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/RugSAbasic.htm 

The Ruger Bisley is the finest all-around working revolver in the world. No other offers better value or superior handling.

Clements; http://www.clementscustomguns.com/rugerrevolvers.html

I hardily recommend the Bisley frame for hard kicking guns.

Linebaugh;  http://www.customsixguns.com/ordering.htm

We use the Bisley exclusively, due to its superior grip shape. The Bisley handles the heavy recoil our guns generate much better, in all instances.

For heavy recoiling revolvers most folks prefer Bisley, however if you don’t, try Super Blackhawk with round triggerguard.

[Lloyd Smale]

definately better for real heavy recoil but in the calibers there chambered in like the 45 colt and 44 mag i dont really see much of an advantage there. the blackhawk frame handles that level of recoil just fine. To me though they fit better in the hand. It could be because ive shot so many of them through the years that they just feel right. the hammer is lower and allows you to get your thumb on it easier but it has a dissadvantage too as in really heavy recoiling guns like 475s and 500s if you get lazy and dont grip the gun firm enough it can come back and bite the web of your hand. The curved trigger is something i never liked. Again in heavy recoil its easy to get your finger pinched betwee the tip of the trigger and the trigger guard. If i even build another linebaugh it will have a straight trigger.

[40plus]

How does the #5 grip handle heavy recoil? I know Elmer used it with heavy .44 special loads but how would the #5 grip handle recoil in some of the big boomers .44mag garrett/buffalo bore up to .500 linebaugh?

[Lloyd Smale]

Cant answer that one. the only #5 ive ever shot was a 44mag and it did well with that. I would have to guess it would be better then a blackhawk grip for real heavy recoil though. i shot Kelly Brosts 500 4 inch 500 linebaugh with a blackhawk grip frame and with full power loads it was pretty brutal.

[Onty]

How does the #5 grip handle heavy recoil? I know Elmer used it with heavy .44 special loads but how would the #5 grip handle recoil in some of the big boomers .44mag garrett/buffalo bore up to .500 linebaugh?

I did fire #5, of course, not original but TLA in 44 magnum, (Lyman 429421, 22 gr of 2400). For comparison, same day I fired same load from 44 Flattop. The difference is like day and night, #5 is far more superior grip by any yardstick. However, be aware that #5 grip is small one, Keith was small man. He, as true handguner, knew exactly what he wanted and commissioned revolver that will fit HIM. I was watching my friend (who owns #5) how he struggles to grasp it with his large hands. I have medium size hand and I prefer Bisley grip over #5 because Ruger’s grip is longer.

Important note; in order to make Bisley grip feel like #5, I sanded/rounded relatively sharp edge on stock just behind triggerguard, wrapping sand paper around  vacuum pipe. See how it’s done on custom revolver;



Everybody who tried my revolver with modified grip agrees that feels much better than original factory stock. One note; any modification should be done gradually, even small amount removed will have considerable effect how gun feels. Of course, remove stock from the gun, one slip and you will have “custom” modification of the grip frame.

[EdK]

The advise to try is very good. Handle at a minimum and shoot if at all possible. After listening to much forum advice I got a Ruger Bisley and it did not fit my hand. A Freedom Arms is best for me, followed by a Super Blackhawk while a little too small and third the Bisley as mentioned being too big.

There is truth in the SAA plowhandle being generally good from the hip vs. Bisley at eye level but do not forget we are all different. As was mentioned Keith was a small man... we don't all wear size 10 shoes... would we ever really want to say one glove size (handgun grip) was the one-and-only?

[teamnelson]

Just an anecdote, I shoot IHMSA Big Bore with a Bisley for Standing Revolver class. Between sighting and the course of fire, I'll go through 50 rds of 240gr lswc over 23gr of 296 in a relatively short amount of time. By the time you get to the 200 yd line you've fired 30 rds in the course of fire; with a standard frame SBH with Hogue rubber grips my hand was numb. With the Bisley, I am much more comfortable.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive heard it all about bisleys some dont like the look some dont like the feel and claim they do fit. Some even claim a blackhawk or god forbid a super gripframe handles recoil better. yet i can take the same guy and put a really heavy recoiling blackhawk in there hand and then the same load out of a bisley and to a man they will have to admitt a bisley handles recoil better. Now im not talking factory level 240 grain 44 mag as to me thats not alot of recoil but when 300 grain plus bullets are pushed to 1200-1300 fps recoil starts to get brisk and get into 454 level or worse yet 475 or 500 linebaugh then the bisley is ABSOLUTELY NESSISARY! As a matter of fact most custom gun makers wont even make you one with a blackhawk grip frame. I also like the FA grip frame. to me its about equal to the bisley in handling recoil.

[Clodhopper]

I have a Bisley 7 1/2 inch SBH in .44 mag that I shot IMHSA for a couple of years with heavy loads of H110 and Keith SWCs and Mr. Smale is correct in that the Bisley seems to make heavy recoiling rounds much more tolerable.  I tried the standard grip SBH before I tried the Bisley and didn't like that at all.  The Bisley grip frame fits my hand much better.  I have a new 4 5/8 .44 in stainless with the standard grip frame that I would like to get switched over to the Bisley (any ideas).  Tried the Hogue grips and didn't care for them.  Seems like it made a bulky gun even more bulky.  Right now I only shoot .44 specials out of it.