As I see it, the various grip frames and hammer configurations are purely a "personal feel" issue, at least until you get into recoil levels beyond .44Mag levels.
For my hands, the original Blackhawk/Vaquero "SAA type" grip and hammer works best. I tend to cup the underside of the "cowboy grip" with my off hand and after recoil, use the off hand to suck the barrel back down as I cock it. In other words, I'm letting it roll back...not exactly "modern technique" but it works for me.
I don't shoot handcannon class though; several reports say that the Bisley grips handle big recoil better and I doubt what I'm doing with lesser calibers would work with a .454 or a Linebaugh.
Remember, there's infinite variation available here. You can also go with various bird's-head grips, you can mix-n-match the two factory hammer types, you can get just what you want.
My biggest complaint is that the Blackhawk rear sight is a travesty, and the Vaquero sight is a bad joke. On a Blackhawk, the rear sight "overhangs" into the area you need open for fast cocking. What's needed is to take a Blackhawk type topstrap, rip out the rear sight, fill in the gap, round out the rear of the topstrap and cut a dovetail about 3/4ths inch forward of the rear of the topstrap for something like a 1911 or Glock rear sight of whatever type you're into...I like the Ashley Express type shallow V, myself. Several companies make Blackhawk Tritium-dot front sights already.
Freedom Arms did their rear sight right, about .5" forward of the rear of the topstrap. I'd prefer a hair further forward but that's adequate.
Jim
