No experience at all with the heavy calibers using the Birdshead grip, but 9mm, .38 Special & modest .357 loads seem OK.
I have a piece of rural property where I go and do dirt work projects and run a tractor, loader, backhoe and Bush Hog.
I refuse to go there unarmed and also did not want to beat up one or more of my nice handguns.
Using machinery, on & off of a tractor, pick & shovel in the bottom of a ditch, that kind of work is rough on a nice handgun.
So one day a few years ago at the local sporting goods store, I found a used stainless 4.625" Ruger NM Blackhawk chambered in .357 and bought it.
It is mechanically in very good condition. Cosmetically is a different story. It's scratched, the sights are beat up, and it even has some pitting.
It looked like blood had been on the right side of the frame and left there for a significant duration. I did not ask any questions.
Soon after purchasing, I realized I didn't really like the traditional "plow handle" grip when getting on and off of my tractor using a high ride holster.
The corner of the grip frame was digging me in the ribs and was in the way against the tractor seat.
I also did not like buying .357 Mag or .38 Special ammo or components. I reload using a single stage press for all of my low volume usage cartridges and keep my progressive press continuously set up for 9mm.
So I started watching the classified section here on this Forum and after a month or so, I procured a stainless Birdshead grip frame.
I looked for a long time for a stainless 9mm cylinder but ultimately was unsuccessful finding one.
Eventually I found one in blued carbon steel. It required some machining on the front face of the cylinder in addition to the usual places.
Now I have a blued carbon steel cylinder with bare steel in several places.
Another Forum provided a vendor that did Mil-Spec OEM type Parkerizing and after fitting the 9mm cylinder and test firing, I sent it out for Parkerizing.
When the cylinder returned, I fitted the Birdshead grip frame.
This one I just don't care if it gets scratched, muddy or wet. It was also a fun project!
All it is to me is a functional tool.
Here is a "Thank You" to the Forum members for the parts I needed!
IMG_20201209_145418094 by
cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
IMG_20201209_145513722 by
cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
IMG_20201209_145533843 by
cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr