OT - Colt Bisley Which one?

[rjohns94]

Lots of different variants out there on the Bisley grip. Gary Reeder, Freedom Arms, Ruger, Cimarron, Berretta. Seems everyone has one and everyone seems a bit different. Then there is colt and USFA who seem to have perfected the grip when it first started, at least IMHO.

So I have been shopping for two years to find THE right one and the more I shop, the more I have learned and the more I have come up with divergent paths. Sooooo...... What would you do. Lets set the $ thing aside for right now. IT does play a big part, but I don't want to quivel with that issue.


My first thought was an original colt - 45 Colt with a 5 1/2 or 4 3/4 inch barrel and to try to buy as nice as I could locate and afford and just leave it as is.

My next thought was an original colt - in 44-40, but to change it out to .44special. Having done that and ruined any collector value, I would send it off to Turnball and have it "restored" even if to a non-original caliber.

My third thought was an USFA bisley in .44 special, ordered as I would have had the original colt made into.


So - What would you do? What caliber, What barrel length, Which manufacturer??

[Griff]

Mike,
Were it me... I'd go the USFA route. Logic being: I wouldn't want to ruin any collector value AND, more importantly, I'd get modern steel, springs, etc. This would give a margin of error that may not be there with an antique. Lastly, changing the antique may entail some rebuild of parts damaged during the disassembly; not a given, but should always be a consideration. Nope, this is lastly... or maybe first on the list... cost. You'll probably be into the USFA far less than an original in good to excellent shape, certainly less than an original that's converted and restored.
Good luck and be sure to post pics when it's delivered for the rest of us to drool over!

Oh, I didn't answer part of your question:

So - What would you do? What caliber, What barrel length, Which manufacturer??

I'd want one in .38 Special, as it's a premier handgun target round, plus it should be VERY accurate and the Bisley WAS a target version of the SAA.
Barrel length. I'm very partial to the shorter barrels for carry and handling purposes... but as I'd see this as a dedicated paper puncher, I might opt for the 7-½"; or really do something different and make it a 10". (double as a silhouette gun, with heavy bullets a .38+P load oughta take down steel).
Manufacturer: see above.
The above is simply my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid... YMMV.

[Don McDowell]

Mike, I would really suggest you find a Bisley (a real one, or one of the clones not the "ruger" style) and handle it first , shooting one would be better yet, before you go off in that direction.
I have one of the clones, and have handled a few originals. You have to grip the thing a little different than the regular plowhandle grip, and with my long fingers, its tough to keep my knuckles from getting dusted on the back of the trigger guard.
If you use a high ride holster they ride just a tad higher and will rub a saddle sore on your last rib, or at least that's what happens to me.

I do like my "Bisley" but there are some things that one may find objectionable about them.

[Lefty Dude]

I have a pair of Uberti Bisley's in 44-40 5 1/2", I would like to sell.
Bob James action work, cylinder throats reamed to .4305, barrels are .429".
These are in excellent condition. I used them for CAS/SASS competition for 3 years.
I bought a pair of Colts in 44-40/44 spec. from the custom shop last year and do not shoot the Bisleys. $800.00 + FFL + shipping. (This is for two Bisleys)

Pix's sent to your E-mail on request.

[madman4570]

What would do me------------For the one gun Cowboy style shooter.
Freedom Arms 4.25" Model 1997
(a special barrel length/ejector rod housing is available)
The .357 Magnum Model 1997 is supplied with a most comfortable grip frame reminiscent of the old Colt Bisley grip and can be ordered with an extra cylinder in .38 Special.

I have to look for it but one of my older Handgunner Magazines did a feature on that gun and I think it grouped somthing like 5 shot open sights 25yds was .32" (one nice hole)and at 100yds it grouped like .83"
I am not sure of barrel length on that test gun?
That is like a darn match RIFLE???? It still sticks in my mind!
And it was definetly a Model 1997,I wont soon forget

[Jarhead]

Mike,
Were it me... I'd go the USFA route

I've heard they are made better than Colts...I don't own a sixgun yet..Just a Colt Govt. 1911 and a Model 36 S&W in 38spcl for concealed carry.

Mike

[Leverluver]

USFA flat top 44 Sp when, and only if, they change their specs to 429-430 barrels (with throats .0005 over that). I don't need a dang 44 Sp with a silly 427-428 barrel. BTW, same thing goes for a Colt. Leave the undersized barrels for the 44-40 folks. A Bisley in 32-20 would be cool although quite heavy. I've been on quite a gun spending spree lately but next year I'm saving for only one gun, a FA M97 in 44 Sp.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Are the USFA guns made with parts imported from Italy or are they 100% USA made and it's the Colt's that are parts from Italy but assembled here? I'm just ignorant of SAA stuff though curious nonetheless.

[Rusty]

Here I am odd man out again. I had a Bisquero 4 3/4" in .44 Mag that was great. I got rid of it to get a 629 and the 629 wasn't near the gun that the Ruger was. I should have put some refinements into the Ruger and carried it till I wore it out.

[Mike D.]

If it's within your budget, a 1st Generation Colt is the ONLY way to go. No worry about losing value, they're much better than money in the bank.

[Lefty Dude]

When ordering a Colt from the Custom shop in 44-40, if you order it with an additional cylinder in 44 special the barrel comes .429" not .427". I know this as fact as that is how I ordered, and mine came as specified with the .429" groove diameter barrel. However all cylinders came with .4275 throats. No problem for me as I have a throating reamer .4305".
USFA may be the same. Call them to verify the details.

[Griff]

Are the USFA guns made with parts imported from Italy or are they 100% USA made and it's the Colt's that are parts from Italy but assembled here? I'm just ignorant of SAA stuff though curious nonetheless.

Neither. Old wive's tale to denigrate the US made product by saying it's actually produced in the Italy, probably promulgated by jealous Italian clone dealers... But I have no proof of this... so I won't name names.

However, the 2nd Gen Black Powder "C", "F" and "Signature" series guns were made of Italian parts. However, on the "C" series, the guns were finished and assembled under the Blue Dome in Hartford. The "F" series were finished and assembled to Colt specs in NJ by Iver Johnson and marketed by Colt. The Signature Series were finished and assembled in NJ by Iver Johnson and marketed under License from Colt by IJ.

The Colt Cowboy (an attempt to delve into the transfer bar action and lower cost production) was rumored to be produced along with the Uberti Gaucho but finished by Colt... but I understand they weren't.

[bogus bill]

I havent read all the posts, but cimmeron arms has uberti make them one, I have the short barreled thunderer. It had the same grip as the old colt lighting and thunder. I used to own the real mcoys, and I agree with cimmeron, colt SHOULD have made these available on the single actions. I like it better than the bisley grip.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Specia ... rerStd.htm
My old colt lighting

My old colt 1878 DA in 45 colt

My cimmeron arms version in 45 colt and 45 ACP. They make it in many calibers and barrel lengths.

[marlinman93]

I've got to go with Don's reply. I've got original Colt, and clones from USFA, Uberti, Cimmaron, and AWA. All are std. SAA grips, except for my 5 1/2" Cimmarron Bisley in .32-20, and it does feel weird in my hand. I would have preferred a regular SAA grip, but the price was just too good to pass up, and I love the .32-20 caliber.
If you haven't fired or handled a lot of Bisley gripped SAA's I'd sure do so before purchasing any of them.
As for which one I'd choose; the original Colt in a 1st or 2nd genration would be my choice, but a USFA would be a darn close second!

[cshold]

If center-fire ammo. was legal for small game in my state,
This would be the little gem I’d want.
Actually being able to afford to buy it is an other issue.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =132022937

[Mike D.]

I had carried a .44-40 Friontier Six-Shooter for many years before picking up the same in the Bisley Model. Gradually, over a few years, the Bisley grip became very comfortable, and now I prefer it over the standard SA grip. It's only a matter of personal preference, you know.

[kimwcook]

I would go with the suggestion of getting your hands on one. I had a Colt Bisley and I couldn't get used to the wrist angle of the grip frame. I ended up selling it. Just MHO. The FA grip frame is bigger than a Colt plow handle, but it fits and rolls in my hands well for the big end loads. I don't mind the Ruger Bisley either, although a bit large.

If I were looking for a special rig it would be a FA 83, Premier Grade, 6-7.5" bbl. with adjustable sights. I'd get a 45 Colt and 45 ACP cylinder. I could shoot low end 45 ACP's or Colt loads and if I needed to get over the top I'd shoot the 454.

[rjohns94]

i like the FA grips:

[SmokeEater2]

The only Bisley type gripped revolver I own is a Ruger Vaquero Bisley .45 Colt, I love the thing!

[CJM]

Are the USFA guns made with parts imported from Italy or are they 100% USA made and it's the Colt's that are parts from Italy but assembled here? I'm just ignorant of SAA stuff though curious nonetheless.

Neither. Old wive's tale to denigrate the US made product by saying it's actually produced in the Italy, probably promulgated by jealous Italian clone dealers... But I have no proof of this... so I won't name names.

USFA when it first started did import some parts from Italy (cyl frame forgings etc), but since they have been "under the dome" they have had the space and equipment to make all of the parts themselves, so they have. And many people consider their guns to be of higher quality than what Colt has been producing, though the last couple of years Colt has improved their QC.

[blackhawk44]

USFA all the way. In a flattop target 4.75".

[okdee]

Mike, You opened up a wide topic!

Money aside!?

I would sit down with Alan Harton of Single Action Service, in Houston, Texas and make a custom built Bisley in the caliber that I would enjoy, 44 Special maybe! Probably have an octagon barrel, Grip frame like the Ruger, but a tab longer in the base. Alan would make me some custom ivory grips, just for that gun. The gun would be made for ME!! Oh Yeah!

But, if your lookin for an out of the box type gun. Freedom, Ruger, or and old Colt, heck, buy one of each and be done with it!

About the only way you will find out what you really enjoy and like, is to have all the different types available to shoot at one time. And even then, you may have to come back an revisit or compare 2-3 different ones again!

Great luck on your looonnngggg journey!

Oklahoma Dee