SA revolver shooters

Love my Single Sixconvertable but since .22scan't be had it gathers dust!
Best is my .357Vaqueto it's my doeverything revolver in 38/.357
Best of all I can shoot it pretty good and a
Missing less!
Cut my teeth on s/a just now learning D/A h(hard to learn)
Wouldn't feel undergunned withyhe vaquero because it's natural forme
ZVP
 
Driftwood Johnson, that's a nice collection of SA revolvers.
I've never shot a single action with a Colt style Bisley grip, I'm curious as to what your opinion is of it.

Thanks to everyone that's taken time to post and put up pictures on this thread, it's been enjoyable.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
All my single actions are Rugers. All have the post 73 new model lockwork. I don't need, nor want anything else. Out of 10, 7 are .45 Colt.



as to grips, I prefer these.
 
My first revolver was a Ruger Blackhawk 357 with a 4&5/8" barrel. Since then I've gone through a bunch of SA revolvers.

I don't like the 5.5" barrel. I like the barrel even with the ejector rod or way longer as on the 7.5".

Although my first SA was a 357 I prefer big bore calibers as more traditional. I have 2 SA revolvers right now, one in 45 Colt and one in 44 Special. Although I must confess a strange yearning for a 7.5" SAA in 32-20. Weird.

I don't like the Bisley style. I do like ivory and pearl stocks. I have come to dislike modern SA looks with adjustable sights. I prefer the classic SAA with fixed sights. I hate the New Model Rugers. Mine was a 3 screw type and that's the way they should still make them. IMO that New Model design sucks. I like nickel. I like nickel with pearl stocks (OK, find me in New Orleans managing some working girls). I like nice engraving. For some reason the idea of a lanyard ring on the butt of a 4.75" SAA appeals to me. No idea why. I don't care for the rounded "bird'shead" style frame. I like the look of the squared trigger guard (ala Super Blackhawk) but it kills my fingers when I shoot one so I would nix it on a gun I planned to shoot.

Here's my 44 Special Colt.


standard.jpg
 
I've never shot a single action with a Colt style Bisley grip, I'm curious as to what your opinion is of it.
Click to expand...

The Bisley version of the SAA was developed as a target gun, introduced at the Bisley range outside of London in 1894. It was meant to compete directly with the S&W New Model #3, the premier target revolver of the late 19th Century.

I have always felt that the unusual forward sweep of the Bisley grip makes the gun tend to point slightly down when held out in Bullseye fashion with a straight elbow. I have seen some photos of 19th Century target shooters and some hold the pistol with a slightly bent elbow. The shooter on the left is E. E. Patridge, inventor of the Patridge sight.

eePatridrigSgtWEPetty_zpsb472be51.jpg


Anyway, I have always felt that the original Colt Bisley grip was designed to be shot that way, with a slightly bent elbow. With the elbow slightly bent, the gun no longer tends to point down. This is totally speculation on my part, I have no documentary evidence to back it up. When I shoot one, my elbow does tend to be locked and straight, I just have to remember to put the front sight on the target.
 
I like this thread, alot of nice single actions, here are a few of mine.

I like the #5 grip frame on these 44 specials.




44's

Assorted short barrel 6 guns



I like the Dragoon grip frame on my 44 mag Super Blackhawk. The XR3-Red grip frame on my 44 mag Vaquero and 44 mag Blackhawk beats up my middle finger.

I do like the XR3 or the XR3-Red on my 357 mags. It works well for heavy loads with the lighter recoil of the 357.

The Bisley grip frame on my 45 Colt Blackhawk also tends to bang the nuckle on my middle finger.

I tend to favor the short barrels and shoot mostly 44 mag and special although I like shooting 357's also.

Mike
 
I saw a .450 Boxer on gunbroker a while back that I lusted after, but couldn't afford. Mostly I use 45 Colt in a single action; though 44 Special is just as good in a modern gun. In the originals 44 S&W Special is pretty rare. Colt didn't like to roll mark S&W anything on their pieces. In a modern single action like a Ruger there is nothing wrong with .357. Anything smaller is a small game gun and not a carry weapon. For barrel length I can carry up to a 5.5 without it getting in the way in a vehicle or sitting in a chair. Out hunting 7.5 is fine.

All of the grip styles I use are ordinary. I remember reading in Elmer Keith how he disliked the Bisley. I'd like to have a few Bisleys so that I could form an opinion. At today's prices that seems unlikely.
 
Driftwood Johnson

The case colored gun was built by Alan Harton he made the grip frame with a Colt ftont strap and a Ruger Bisley back strap. The one on the NM 44 special is a Ron Powers #5 that I fit to the gun. It is still in the white.

Mike
 
The case colored gun was built by Alan Harton he made the grip frame with a Colt ftont strap and a Ruger Bisley back strap. The one on the NM 44 special is a Ron Powers #5 that I fit to the gun. It is still in the white.

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, I like the grip frames on both guns, I have considered using the Powers grip frame.

Mr Harton sure builds a fine gun, would you care to elaborate more on that build.

Thanks for posting all the pictures, you have a nice collection of SA revolvers.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
.45 Colt, plow handle, grips from bearbaw which are a little like gunfighter grips. 5 1/2" favorite barrel length. Ruger is favorite vendor.

Here is one of my favorites, action job by Munden Interprises:

RugerFTBlackHawk_2_zps05dd704c.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bob

It started as a '56 357 Flat Top.

Mr.Harton did the following work.

Welded and machined the gas ring and set the barrel gap.
Chambered cylinder to 44 Special.
Sent the factory barrel to be bored. (I wanted to keep the Ruger address on the barrel )
Made the front sight, l wanted a copy of the TLA sight.
Black powder champher on cylinder.
Made the #5 base pin.
Made the hammer by welding a Bisley spur on the original hammer.
Made the #5 grip frame.
Made the grips. ( perfect fit and and they feel great in hand )
Trigger job.
Re-marked the frame to 44 Cal.
I had David Clements send Alan one of his wide OM triggers.
Polished and blued the gun.
Turnbull did the case colors.
Alan welded the cylinder frame where the Bisley grip frame screws on and machineg them to
get a smooth transition, no odd angles wher the grip and frame meet.

I think thats about it, I wanted the gun to feature a little Keith, Skeeter, Grover and Taffin in it.
Alan was great to work with, I'm gathering parts for another build based on an early 44 mag. Flat Top.

Thanks
Mike
 
Mike,

Thanks for the run down on everything that was done to the revolver, those type of things are always a big interest to me.

As I said earlier that's one sweet revolver.
I can appreciate the work involved in building the gun.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
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