I have been thinking of getting a single shot revolver with a birdshead grip because I like the look. I am thinking of using this as a ccw. Right now I use a 1911. My question is that I have big hands, are the birdshead grip large enough to accomodate three fingers with the index finger in trigger? Second question I was thinking of getting it in 357 mag but would consider a 45 colt if the recoil is more manageable than a 357 mag? Thanks for reading my post.
Birdshead grip question.
- Thread starter ms6852
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dalegribble
New member
did you mean single shot or single action? i would not use a single shot for protection. i would use a single action for protection but i admit a double action revolver or semi auto pistol would probably be a better choice for most people.
having said that i do have a birds head uberti "thunderer" with a 3 1/2" barrel and birds head grip in 45 lc that would be suitable for cc. my hand is probably above average in size and the birdshead grip suits my hand well. the gun and grip are probably more comfortable in my hand than my .38 s&w model 36 that i carry some times.
as for caliber, i have a couple 357 mag sub nose revolvers. i love the concept of being able to shoot 38's and 357's from the same gun. it is a big advantage in my mind. i do not find the 357 to be a comfortable caliber to shoot in a small gun tho. i like the additional stopping power of the 357 mag but i don't care for the sharp recoil or loud report in a small gun but it does make a good self defense package.
the 45 lc is an excellent protection caliber. i much prefer shooting the 45 lc over the 357 mag. i think the 45 lc is easier to shoot, and shoot well. it also has a different recoil and report that makes the caliber easier on my ears and wrist.
go to a gun store and see how a birds head grip feels in your hand. if you get a chance to shoot a 45 lc give it a try, you might like it. a 357 does have the advantage of shooting 38's also and since it would be your gun it should be your choice. have fun and good luck.
having said that i do have a birds head uberti "thunderer" with a 3 1/2" barrel and birds head grip in 45 lc that would be suitable for cc. my hand is probably above average in size and the birdshead grip suits my hand well. the gun and grip are probably more comfortable in my hand than my .38 s&w model 36 that i carry some times.
as for caliber, i have a couple 357 mag sub nose revolvers. i love the concept of being able to shoot 38's and 357's from the same gun. it is a big advantage in my mind. i do not find the 357 to be a comfortable caliber to shoot in a small gun tho. i like the additional stopping power of the 357 mag but i don't care for the sharp recoil or loud report in a small gun but it does make a good self defense package.
the 45 lc is an excellent protection caliber. i much prefer shooting the 45 lc over the 357 mag. i think the 45 lc is easier to shoot, and shoot well. it also has a different recoil and report that makes the caliber easier on my ears and wrist.
go to a gun store and see how a birds head grip feels in your hand. if you get a chance to shoot a 45 lc give it a try, you might like it. a 357 does have the advantage of shooting 38's also and since it would be your gun it should be your choice. have fun and good luck.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
Rugers are... I have big hands
my custom Birds Head 45 Colt snubbie Montado ( CCW all the way )
my custom Birds Head 45 Colt snubbie Montado ( CCW all the way )
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I use Buffalo Bore standard pressure loads... I have the Elmer Keith style bullet in mine because it's a snubbie, but they also have a Gold Dot offering as well
Look at the current special (Talo?) Ruger run of .45 Colt OR (not and) .45 ACP birdshead New Vaquero 3.75" (Montado length). Contrary to popular myth, any standard/factory loading can be used in the .45 NVs--which includes some fairly warm loadings, and not just downloaded "cowboy" loads. However, If you want to shoot "super hot" (aka magnum level aka "Ruger only") .45 Colt loads, you'll have to move up to the old/original large frame Vaquero (now long discontinued), including specifically that model's special run birdshead model.
Btw, as a caution, Ruger has added to nomenclature confusion by calling all its New Vaquero line just "Vaquero" in its (and many vendors') literature and ads. All new/current production (except for occasional special runs of the older/large frame model) are the smaller "midframe" New Vaqueros--including the .44 Special even though it actually says just Vaquero on the frame--an odd anomaly to the general frame-marking rule.
Btw, as a caution, Ruger has added to nomenclature confusion by calling all its New Vaquero line just "Vaquero" in its (and many vendors') literature and ads. All new/current production (except for occasional special runs of the older/large frame model) are the smaller "midframe" New Vaqueros--including the .44 Special even though it actually says just Vaquero on the frame--an odd anomaly to the general frame-marking rule.
My main CCW is a Ruger Bird Head Vaquero in 45 Colt with my alternate a Blackhawk with 4-5/8 inch barrel in 45 Colt. I like both of them but the blued Blackhawk is lighter.
Ifeel comfortable with either of them and have carried one or the othe rfor a long time.
if you get one look at Simply Rugged holsters. They are pretty good for holding them close.
Ifeel comfortable with either of them and have carried one or the othe rfor a long time.
if you get one look at Simply Rugged holsters. They are pretty good for holding them close.
Don't forget you can also shoot .45 S&W Schofield in a .45 Colt gun. Thanks to cowboy action shooting the lighter kicking ammo exists and is just the thing for short barrels.
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cPath/23_503
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cPath/23_503
The NewVaqs may not be as big and burly as the "OldVaqs" built on the 44Magnum-class frame, BUT the NewVaqs are built better. The NewVaq and other Ruger "mid frame" size guns all have the cylinder bores done one at a time with the same bit/reamer set. The OldVaqs and all other "large frames" prior to about 2007 had cylinders reamed "all six at once" with six bit/reamers. The new process gives you uniform chambers and a better tolerances overall.
This process migrated to the large-frames like I said, around 2007 - but that was after the OldVaq's day.
You can ID a large-frame with the new process by looking at the "lawyer's barrel warning". Under-barrel means new, side-barrel means old. The warning also migrated in the mid-frames but it doesn't indicate anything 'cept cosmetics
.
There is of course an exception. In 2006 Ruger released the "50th Anniversary Blackhawk Flattop 44Magnum" - this is the one NOT marked "Super". Has a side-barrel warning, but was the first large-frame with the new cylinder process. 6.5" barrell, blue, same smallish grip frame as the NewVaq ("XR3") and a "high hammer" instead of the lower Super hammer.
Mid-frame Blackhawks with adjustable sights exist. There's the 44spls (all are mid-frame, even some marked "Vaquero" without the "New" in there!), and the 50th Anniversary 357 Flattop Blackhawk. There's also a special run of "Blackhawk" convertibles in 45LC/45ACP on the mid-frame, with the "flattop" sight profile.
This process migrated to the large-frames like I said, around 2007 - but that was after the OldVaq's day.
You can ID a large-frame with the new process by looking at the "lawyer's barrel warning". Under-barrel means new, side-barrel means old. The warning also migrated in the mid-frames but it doesn't indicate anything 'cept cosmetics
.There is of course an exception. In 2006 Ruger released the "50th Anniversary Blackhawk Flattop 44Magnum" - this is the one NOT marked "Super". Has a side-barrel warning, but was the first large-frame with the new cylinder process. 6.5" barrell, blue, same smallish grip frame as the NewVaq ("XR3") and a "high hammer" instead of the lower Super hammer.
Mid-frame Blackhawks with adjustable sights exist. There's the 44spls (all are mid-frame, even some marked "Vaquero" without the "New" in there!), and the 50th Anniversary 357 Flattop Blackhawk. There's also a special run of "Blackhawk" convertibles in 45LC/45ACP on the mid-frame, with the "flattop" sight profile.
Concealment issues are one thing, shooting it is another. You do NOT want to shoot a bird's head grip revolver with heavy loads. IT will only take one time to convince you, trust me on this.
Now, if you plan to use only moderate (std factory) loads in .45colt, its a lot less unpleasant, but its not my cuppa, as they say.
You might not mind the recoil with those grips, but its not for me.
Only you can decide if the difference in size is worth the difference in the feel when you shoot it. In my life, its not. If it is in yours, go for it, and enjoy!
Now, if you plan to use only moderate (std factory) loads in .45colt, its a lot less unpleasant, but its not my cuppa, as they say.
You might not mind the recoil with those grips, but its not for me.
Only you can decide if the difference in size is worth the difference in the feel when you shoot it. In my life, its not. If it is in yours, go for it, and enjoy!
I just bought one of those Ruger New Vaquero birdshead guns in .45 Colt. The store had just sold one in .45 ACP and it is a good thing they did. I might'a hurt myself having to choose 
The grip allows me to get all fingers on it. I am a man with only maybe medium sized mitts but longer fingers. It is just so naturally right for me. I fired Ultramax Cowboy loads and some 255 grain HSM loads that are no longer on their website, so I could not see how they rated the load for velocity. The heavier loads caused more muzzle-flip but it was not unpleasant at all.
The Ruger birdshead (at least the laminated one) also has a shallow finger groove on both sides. On one side my middle finger fits right in it, and on the palm side it feels like a subtle palm-swell. Just feels right!
But the same loads (either one) were quickly unpleasant in my New Vaquero "Artillery Model". I mean the 5 & 1/2 inch version. The very checkered factory grips on that one don't allow the gun to roll in my hand. Not at all.
And the result is that the knuckle on my middle finger gets a smack with every shot. And I am in the market for smooth grips that allow the gun (the larger one) to roll up and move the trigger guard away from my knuckle. Which the birdshead already does.
I am very happy with the accuracy and the feel of the birdshead.
Bart Noir
The grip allows me to get all fingers on it. I am a man with only maybe medium sized mitts but longer fingers. It is just so naturally right for me. I fired Ultramax Cowboy loads and some 255 grain HSM loads that are no longer on their website, so I could not see how they rated the load for velocity. The heavier loads caused more muzzle-flip but it was not unpleasant at all.
The Ruger birdshead (at least the laminated one) also has a shallow finger groove on both sides. On one side my middle finger fits right in it, and on the palm side it feels like a subtle palm-swell. Just feels right!
But the same loads (either one) were quickly unpleasant in my New Vaquero "Artillery Model". I mean the 5 & 1/2 inch version. The very checkered factory grips on that one don't allow the gun to roll in my hand. Not at all.
And the result is that the knuckle on my middle finger gets a smack with every shot. And I am in the market for smooth grips that allow the gun (the larger one) to roll up and move the trigger guard away from my knuckle. Which the birdshead already does.
I am very happy with the accuracy and the feel of the birdshead.
Bart Noir
As for self-defense....
I think the new Ruger birdshead Vaquero would be a good SD gun, but only for 6 shots
It is a bit slow to reload, as we all know.
But it is safe to carry with all 6 holes full of .45 butt-whupping, and the low hammer (Montado style) makes for a fast recocking without having to move the hand as far on the grip.
The accuracy of it, fired slowly, is greater than mine.
Bart Noir
I think the new Ruger birdshead Vaquero would be a good SD gun, but only for 6 shots
It is a bit slow to reload, as we all know.
But it is safe to carry with all 6 holes full of .45 butt-whupping, and the low hammer (Montado style) makes for a fast recocking without having to move the hand as far on the grip.
The accuracy of it, fired slowly, is greater than mine.
Bart Noir
bedbugbilly
New member
The one nice thing about the SA is that you really wouldn't have to carry it concealed - just dress up like a cowboy and everyone will think it's part of your "get up". 
Sorry . . . . couldn't help myself.
I've got a NV in 357 and I love it but I think I'd find it a might heavy to CC. A snubbie like is shown might be a lot easier to carry. As far as the comments about them "only having 6 shots" . . . hmmmm . . . I'm carrying a 5 shot snubbie for CC . . . I carry it for SD . . . I'm not looking to get into a "running gun battle". . . . but that's a whole other topic that's been beat to death already. I've shot SA for 50 years but for me, I feel better with a DA only snubbie that I can pull quickly and fire - just a personal preference though. If you are comfortable with a SA, and lot's of fellows are . . .. then go for it. It boils down to you having to do what makes you the most comfortable . . . the heck with everybody else. I hope you'll let us know what you come up with. Good luck!
Sorry . . . . couldn't help myself.I've got a NV in 357 and I love it but I think I'd find it a might heavy to CC. A snubbie like is shown might be a lot easier to carry. As far as the comments about them "only having 6 shots" . . . hmmmm . . . I'm carrying a 5 shot snubbie for CC . . . I carry it for SD . . . I'm not looking to get into a "running gun battle". . . . but that's a whole other topic that's been beat to death already. I've shot SA for 50 years but for me, I feel better with a DA only snubbie that I can pull quickly and fire - just a personal preference though. If you are comfortable with a SA, and lot's of fellows are . . .. then go for it. It boils down to you having to do what makes you the most comfortable . . . the heck with everybody else. I hope you'll let us know what you come up with. Good luck!