Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy Again
To further clarify, all my single action revolver shooting is done one handed. In the CAS world we call that Duelist style. I do not hold the gun with a death grip, I allow the gun to rotate slightly in my hand, AND I do not keep my elbow stiff. I allow the gun to raise my forearm up as it recoils. Granted, this is not a 480 or a 454, but a full house 45 Colt round does have a stout recoil. Both the grip rotating in my hand, and the raised forearm eats up all the recoil energy. Plus, with the gun in the air, it makes cocking for the next shot easier.
As I said earlier, I no longer own a Ruger with the Bisley style grip. However I own two original Colt Bisleys. Yes, the Colt Bisley grip shape was designed for target shooting. However I have noticed that the forward sweep of the grip makes the gun tend to point down slightly, not straight forward. I believe this is because many 19th Century target shooters shot with a slightly bent elbow, rather than with the arm extended straight out as bullseye shooters do today. With a slightly bent elbow, my Bisleys tend to point straight ahead, not down.
When shooting a Bisley however, even though the grip is longer than the standard plowhandle grip. I do tend to curl my pinky under the grip. Just habit I suppose. This does leave about 1/4" of space between the trigger guard and my knuckle.
This Bisley is chambered for 38-40 and left the factory in 1909. Although the 38-40 does not have quite the punch of a 45 Colt, it still has a serious recoil and I don't recall this guy ever whacking my knuckle.
To further clarify, all my single action revolver shooting is done one handed. In the CAS world we call that Duelist style. I do not hold the gun with a death grip, I allow the gun to rotate slightly in my hand, AND I do not keep my elbow stiff. I allow the gun to raise my forearm up as it recoils. Granted, this is not a 480 or a 454, but a full house 45 Colt round does have a stout recoil. Both the grip rotating in my hand, and the raised forearm eats up all the recoil energy. Plus, with the gun in the air, it makes cocking for the next shot easier.
As I said earlier, I no longer own a Ruger with the Bisley style grip. However I own two original Colt Bisleys. Yes, the Colt Bisley grip shape was designed for target shooting. However I have noticed that the forward sweep of the grip makes the gun tend to point down slightly, not straight forward. I believe this is because many 19th Century target shooters shot with a slightly bent elbow, rather than with the arm extended straight out as bullseye shooters do today. With a slightly bent elbow, my Bisleys tend to point straight ahead, not down.
When shooting a Bisley however, even though the grip is longer than the standard plowhandle grip. I do tend to curl my pinky under the grip. Just habit I suppose. This does leave about 1/4" of space between the trigger guard and my knuckle.
This Bisley is chambered for 38-40 and left the factory in 1909. Although the 38-40 does not have quite the punch of a 45 Colt, it still has a serious recoil and I don't recall this guy ever whacking my knuckle.