Why the obsession with birdshead grip?

Well it's apparent, lots of opinions & preferences. I especially like the comment "Novelty" ,,, they are a lot of fun.
Family of the Birdshead.
45/45ACP Flattop
45/45ACP Vaquero
327M S7
22/22M S6



Probably should be noted that a Birdshead is really just a Round Butted Plow (XR3-RED) as this picture shows the line to cut after the Birdshead grip panel was marked and then removed.



As to the CHOP, I weighed the full size Vaquero 39.5 oz, The Flattop 41 oz, I have concluded that the extra weight is insignificant and the little extra sight plane along with the adjustable sight option, it's going to stay AS IS.
SORRY for the slight highjack to the OP's subject.

powder smoke said:

G2 said:

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Tell my Mr. Wright what is wrong with this. Very Handsome Revolver. That's what I'm talking about!
Obsession?? I do not think so! What wrong with being a little different? ps

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What is wrong, for me at least, is that the flare at the bottom of the grip helps to support the weight and keep the muzzle up.



The heel of my hand bears on that flare and aids in more natural pointing and allows me to get off second shots much faster. And the same hols true for shorter barreled guns:



I reckon what I'm saying is that the flare of squared off grips provides me with steadier holding and faster handling for me.


Bob Wright

It's a fun conversation, best of all it prompts folks to post pics of their revolvers!

I have a birds head .32 H&R that may be the best balanced Ruger I own. Steel frame and a 4-5/8" bbl. make it a natural in my hands. Even with its hog wallow rear sight and blade front, it's as accurate as my 5-1/2" bbl.'d Single Six in .32. I like them both but for day in day out carry on the farm or out walking the pointer on our farm road, the shorter bbl. hides easier under a shirt tail in this hot August/September weather.

The "feel" of a single action plays a bigger part in the usefulness of the gun, as compared to say a DA Smith. For me, (and without any experience with the Bisley grip currently in vogue, that .32 Birdshead is a sweet shooting little gun...just wish it had adj. sights!

YMMv, Rod
Pic below of the pair of them...BTW, that plow handle with its aluminum frame is distinctly muzzle heavy...a good thing for me generally.

I think the birdshead grip have a cool factor to them that I like. But firing 44 mag with them is a challenge for me as they torque on me. 44 specials are no problem.

I don't understand the obsession with the ill-fitting plow handle. For me, the birdshead grip fits my hand better, or the Bisley grip for heavy recoiling guns.

balin said:

I think the birdshead grip have a cool factor to them that I like.

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+1

They're just plain cool, especially my little stainless shopkeeper.

Oh I think the entire think can be explained simply. Someone tried it and raved about it. The rest drank the cool aid. I've seen this herd behavior many times in my life. The worst part about it is when you tell them you haven't drank the cool aid, they get upset and accuse you of being narrowminded. In effect they prove that the accuser has drank the cool aid.

No real obsession. Just like them all. Have regular Ruger plow handle, small Ruger plowhandle, TLA #5, PC #5, Ruger Bisley, JRH modified Ruger Bisley, Bowen modified FA M97 and a few different kinds of birdshead grips.

They all shoot.

I've never shot a real Colt Bisley though. I'd like to.

Enjoy shooting whatever you can get your hands on! We are privileged to have the opportunity to do so. Protect that right!

Tim

princeout said:

No real obsession. Just like them all. Have regular Ruger plow handle, small Ruger plowhandle, TLA #5, PC #5, Ruger Bisley, JRH modified Ruger Bisley, Bowen modified FA M97 and a few different kinds of birdshead grips.

They all shoot.

I've never shot a real Colt Bisley though. I'd like to.

Enjoy shooting whatever you can get your hands on! We are privileged to have the opportunity to do so. Protect that right!

Tim

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Really nice grips Tim.

I have the birdshead in 44mag although I like to shoot the SPLs. I really want one in 54LC to go with my Winchester lever action.

I bought one in .32 H&R and had it Hartonized with a S&W rear sight and Bisley hammer. Darned accurate, fun, easy to handle. The feel of the grip is just different but I have lots of handguns and they're all different. I love mine!

Why not a birdshead? I like them, but do prefer the plow handle.

>Am I missing something here? Or just too hardheaded to change?<

Dang. And I thought I was crotchety...

Sugar River said:

Had a Cimarron 44 Spec with birdshead grip. It went down the road pretty quick.
I'll take a hog leg for most cartridges, Bisley for the fire breathers.
BH might be OK in a 32mag or such, but haven't tried it.

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Here's a .32 Mag. Love it! You should try it!

OK I'm in the BH appreciation club. Just sold my 2 Vaqueros 44mag (And matching lever action rifle) to a friend who is taking up SASS. I'm just giving up SASS as I have way too many hobbies. Kept my 44 mag birdshead, because I just plain love it. Although shooting 44 spl was fun, I have no problem with the 44Mags. Now I want a 45LC Birdshead to go with my Winchester 45LC lever action. Finding it hard to come across one at the moment. Would really like some Birdseye grips or something cool.

Had a Hogue special S&W 657 (.41 Mag) 2.75" barrel. The rounded butt was great

I have a Talo stainless Ruger Vaquero 45 ACP. It is very pleasant for shooting 230 gr bullets at 850 fps. I like the grip better than the regular Vaquero.

Had a pair of OM Vaqueros with birds heads=OK for low power cowboy loads for SASS but hard to control with "Ruger Only" loads. Switched one to plow handle and sold it and converted the other to a Bisley=Became my carry gun in grizzly country!

Went to gool old Colt SAAs for Cowboy Action!

I've never shot or even held a birds head, but they are nice looking guns.

I still can't believe @Bob Wright owned a S&W double action revolver! Lol.