[woodrat]

I've wanted to pick up a Ruger blackhawk revolver for years, partly for fun, partly as big cat protection when hiking in the woods, and possibly someday to take a deer with it. My brother insists I should get a double action, but generally, I haven't really liked DA revolvers, since I have a hard time aiming reliably while squeezing the trigger on a DA. The gun always seems to move just at the wrong moment, so I tend to shoot DAs like a SA anyway. He said that the grips on SA aren't as comfortable or secure. I don't have much experience with SAs.

When I start reading up about the Rugers, it seems that there are a lot of different grip styles, and the Ruger website seems to imply that the Bisley is a more secure and comfortable grip than the older styles. Can anyone enlighten me about this?

Also, for a long time I just assumed I would get a 357, and then recently I came across a couple of 41 mags for reasonable prices, and started wondering if that would be a better choice. 44 mag seems like a lot of extra recoil and overkill to me. Is ammo hard to get for the 41? Is the 41 a better choice for my purposes? How does it compare, recoil wise, with the 357 and the 44?

thanks!

 

[Barenjager]

The only way you're going to know how these different grip frames feel, is to get your hands on various examples and see what feels best to you. Others' opinions are merely subjective. Everyone's grip and hand size is different and my preference may or may not work well for you.

As to the recoil, the .41 Mag is going to be much closer to a .44 Mag than to a .357. Being new to handguns (sounds like you are) and unless you reload (sounds like you don't) the .357 would be a better choice for a myriad of reasons.

Roe

 

[woodrat]

I am almost finished gathering the tools for reloading, actually. It's taken me a while to buy all the pieces, but I only have a few more little things to pick up, and then I'll be ready to set it all up. So reloading will be a part of my life in the near future. And yes, I am pretty new to handguns, or at least to revolvers. I've shot a lot of different autos, but it's been years since I had a revolver in my hands. Thanks!

 

[keyston44]

I carry Blackhawks as my woods guns. Normally a 41 mag with a 4 5/8 barrel and steel grip frame for added weight. I cast and reload my own ammo so I can load up or down as I see fit. Sometimes I carry a Super Blackhawk in 44 with the same barrel length but I like the 41 more.
I haven't shot a Blackhawk with a Bisley grip so I can't comment about that.
I don't think you would be able to tell the difference between the full power 41 and 44 loads. 41 mag ammo is really hard to find and if you do find it, it probably won't have the bullet you need. 44 you will find a huge selection of different power levels and bullet weights. If you wanted to hunt deer with your handgun, 357 might not be powerful enough as regulated by your Division Of Wildlife. In Colorado, a handgun must have 550 ft lbs of energy at 50 yard and the 357 doesn't do that. (unless you have at least an 8" barrel and shooting 180 gr bullets.)
I carry my Blackhawks in a Mernickle PS6-SA concealment holster. Just like my other concealment guns, I like them to be high and tight against my body. I have been trying a Simply Rugged holster but it hangs to low and doesn't have enough forward cant.
Key

 

[oscarflytyer]

BIG SA fan. Have had a 44 Mag SBH for long time. Recently bought a Lipsey 44 SPC 4 5/8" bbl BH. Love it. It ALWAYS goes in the woods with me. I reload, and can load it any to about any level I want/need. Cast bullets only. No experience with a Bisley model at all.

 

[Charlie98]

I happen to have a Bisley in .41 that I shot this past weekend. Although the pistol has some issues, I like the pistol better than my Vaquero in .45Colt. The Bisley grip fits me better (I have big hands and long fingers...) but the Vaquero is alright (same grip as the Blackhawk.)

I probably wouldn't buy a .41 unless you are going to handload for it, factory ammo variety and availability is better now than it was, it's just expensive. There is probably a tenfold increase in ammo variety and availability for .357 vs .41.

Apples to apples: Both are 5.5" barrels, same frame size.

Note the longer grip frame on the Bisley...

Note my pinky doesn't quite fit on the grip...

 

[woodrat]

Those are really helpful photos!

Initially I had glanced at Graf & Sons for .41 ammo, and it didn't look that much worse than .357 .... until I noticed that the 41 ammo came in boxes of 20 for about the same prices as 50 of the 357.

I do have a friend that casts .41 bullets, so I wouldn't be totally screwed if I decided to reload for it, but I won't put the .41 on the top of my list for now, unless I come across a really sweet deal on one. I'm getting done with work early today, and I am going to try to swing by a gun shop that I haven't checked in a while.

Thanks!

 

[miatakix]

I'm really confused on revolvers right now. I used to think the same thing, that I didn't shoot double action particularly well, that I did better SA. But I just shot my 442 Airweight last night for the first time in IDPA and did really well, tight groups and such.

Thing I wanted to add is you may want to consider .44 special, and a double action in .45 Auto (moon clips, can be pretty darn potent, moreso than in an autoloader, etc.).

 

[planeflyer21]

Current production Rugers, at least the ones you mentioned, have three different sized grips. The standard Blackhawk "plowhandle", the larger Super Blackhawk "plowhandle", and the Bisley grip.

Both the Super BH and the Bisley BH fit my hand well, though I prefer the Bisley.

Jon

 

[papajohn]

If you're set on an SA, this might be worth a look.................the 44 Special from Ruger in stainless. Recoil isn't an issue unless you load it hot on purpose, bullet choices are too numerous to count, and it looks cool, too. John Taffin voted the 44 Special the "Cartridge of the Century", and I happen to agree with him.

But I'm also a big fan of the 41 Magnum, provided you're going to handload it. It shoots flatter than the 44 Magnum, kicks a little less on average, and is a joy to work with.

Roe said it best...........get your hands on the guns you're considering, and see which one feels best to YOU. Nobody else can tell you what you will prefer.

As for DA handguns................why not just cock them to shoot? Just because they can be shot DA doesn't mean you have to. 8)

 

[Barenjager]

Is this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a new addition of yours you failed to mention, PJ? Trying to keep us out-of-the-loop there pal? An attempt at being coy? : What gives...trying to hide things from your friends here?

We want details!

Roe

 

[papajohn]

No.............it's not mine, but I was about a milimeter away from ordering one. I resisted, and I'm glad, I'm not really a thumb-buster kinda guy at heart. It was right after I picked up my 24-3, and I was already gun-poor. I wound up buying the .308 Sniper rifle the next week anyway. This one belongs to my Gun Pusher, and he offered another one to me at a really nice price. I never knew I had that much intestinal fortitude, it's the first time I ever turned down a deal that sweet. Sure is pretty, isn't it? 8)

You know I'd tell my friends if I bought one. Heck, I might even tell you!

 

[Barenjager]

I'm not really a thumb-buster kinda guy...

Yeah, sure...tell that to Lee. :

Roe

 

[Klondike Mike]

I love the ruger single actions. I'd suggest the .357 for the best all around caliber. Buy cheap .38 specials for practice and plinking or hot hollowpoints for hunting. If you're like me you'll start with the .357 and then the collection grows to include all calibers, barrel lenghts and finishes. Maybe I just got addicted. Mike

 

[Charlie98]

I never knew I had that much intestinal fortitude, it's the first time I ever turned down a deal that sweet. Sure is pretty, isn't it? 8)

PJ, you don't have the mental strength to resist something like that... I'l bet Shel was throwing a FIT!!!

That pistol has one thing I wish my Bisley had... a fluted cylinder.

Current production Rugers, at least the ones you mentioned, have three different sized grips. The standard Blackhawk "plowhandle", the larger Super Blackhawk "plowhandle", and the Bisley grip.

I didn't know the SuperBH's had different sized grips... interesting. I don't think I have ever handled one.

 

[woodrat]

I knew I came to the right place to ask questions about SA revolvers.... ;D

I stopped by the gun shop, but they hardly had any SA, couple of 44's is all. But I did go ahead and pick up most of the rest of the small miscellaneous things I need for reloading. Now all need is some shop space and a bench of some kind.

I've been trying to stay away from buying too many guns online and paying the shipping and FFL fees to receive them, but there just isn't that much in the shops around here in SA.

 

[oscarflytyer]

+ 10 on 44 SPC! Love mine!

And, FWIW - you can exchange a lot of Ruger SA grips. Once swapped out a set of aluminum ones for stock steel. Smaller and really helped the balance after I chopped a 45 LC BH to 4 4/8". ...Man, do I EVER WISH I STILL had that gun!!!

 

[planeflyer21]

PJ, you don't have the mental strength to resist something like that... I'l bet Shel was throwing a FIT!!!

That pistol has one thing I wish my Bisley had... a fluted cylinder.

I didn't know the SuperBH's had different sized grips... interesting. I don't think I have ever handled one.

Hhmmm...my Bisley has a fluted cylinder. And an unfluted one too. ;D

I was also unaware of the different sized plowhandle grips, until my buddy...Hans Ham Hands...brought it up at the gun counter. Just enough bigger on the SBH that some grip sticks out below my hand.

Jon

 

[Digger]

I just picked up an Accusport Bisley for $479.00 in 45 Colt. One of the finest Ruger's made in my opinion.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

The Bisley grip frame is probably the best fit and pointable for anyone but I like the conventional the best. You really have to decide for yourself. If you aren't going to try them on I'd opt for the conventional. Some people like the Birdhead grip too but you'll probably not find one. If you plan on shooting a lot, hunting, and using different loads then the Blackhawk with adjustable sights is the way to go. Do yourself a favor and get stainless.