I'm posting here (as I probably should have in the first place) since my posting at Specialty Pistols didn't gain much traction...
With regards to Ruger single-action revolvers, I like their birdshead grip frame the most but only when wearing thicker grip panels (not the thin factory grip panels). For max loads, the Bisley does give more to hold on to, and I like it for that, but the heel always bites into my support hand. XR3-RED (Dragoon) grip frames are even worse! In my opinion, the birdshead frame with fat, palm-filling panels is about as good and comfortable as it gets when shooting a single-action revolver. Having said that, I'm thinking about swapping grip frames between a couple of my Vaqueros to experiment with how a birdhead (with fat panels as described) grip frame would work with a 7.5" (original) Vaquero in 45Colt. I mention the cartridge because the larger bore keeps the barrel a little lighter compared to a long-barrel 357Mag, for example. Also, I mention "original" Vaquero with the implication that I won't mind setting off a few of the Ruger-only loads in this configuration (or at least something a little warmer than 14,000cup). Has anyone tried a properly-gripped birdshead frame on a 7.5" 45Colt before? How was the balance? Keep in mind that if I were to use thin factory grips, then all bets are off (completely off) the table. After I put some fat panels on my Ruger birdshead, I can comfortably shoot warm 44Mag rounds all day in comfort, but with factory grips, about a cylinder full is all I want. The difference is that dramatic that I'm just thinking of doing the grip frame swap. Lastly, would there be any fitting issues as long as the grip frames are take-offs from original Vaqueros? So far I've only seen one photo of a 7.5" Vaquero with a birdshead grip frame, but I was not able to talk to the owner. Thanks for the comments!
With regards to Ruger single-action revolvers, I like their birdshead grip frame the most but only when wearing thicker grip panels (not the thin factory grip panels). For max loads, the Bisley does give more to hold on to, and I like it for that, but the heel always bites into my support hand. XR3-RED (Dragoon) grip frames are even worse! In my opinion, the birdshead frame with fat, palm-filling panels is about as good and comfortable as it gets when shooting a single-action revolver. Having said that, I'm thinking about swapping grip frames between a couple of my Vaqueros to experiment with how a birdhead (with fat panels as described) grip frame would work with a 7.5" (original) Vaquero in 45Colt. I mention the cartridge because the larger bore keeps the barrel a little lighter compared to a long-barrel 357Mag, for example. Also, I mention "original" Vaquero with the implication that I won't mind setting off a few of the Ruger-only loads in this configuration (or at least something a little warmer than 14,000cup). Has anyone tried a properly-gripped birdshead frame on a 7.5" 45Colt before? How was the balance? Keep in mind that if I were to use thin factory grips, then all bets are off (completely off) the table. After I put some fat panels on my Ruger birdshead, I can comfortably shoot warm 44Mag rounds all day in comfort, but with factory grips, about a cylinder full is all I want. The difference is that dramatic that I'm just thinking of doing the grip frame swap. Lastly, would there be any fitting issues as long as the grip frames are take-offs from original Vaqueros? So far I've only seen one photo of a 7.5" Vaquero with a birdshead grip frame, but I was not able to talk to the owner. Thanks for the comments!