Customizing a Bisley

[KWYJIBO]

We've had some recent picture threads in the Gallery to show off custom Bisleys, but I'd like some more pictures and/or info in a few specific areas.

Who has made a round butt Bisley grip frame? Did you do it yourself? Any tips you can offer?

What about elk stag grips, especially on a round butt? Please show pictures if you have any.

Finally, anyone have a dovetailed front sight? Please share all the usual info: where'd you get it, how much did it cost, are you happy with it? etc. And again, any pictures will be much appreciated.

I ask because I'm getting ready to dress mine up, and these are some of the ideas I'm considering. Please help me decide what I want to put on this gun before it's too late and I've committed to something!

The only things I know for sure that I want are a shortened barrel (probably 5.5") and the elk stag--whether or not I reshape the grip. I'll also probably take off the cylinder roll mark, but I have tons of pics to show how that will look.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Go to www.singleactions.proboards.com and in the screen that comes up go about half way down and you will see a thread titled "show me your modified "big" vaqueros. It has pictures of a couple of bisley vaqueros with drift adjustable front sights done by Dustin Linebaugh. I have a picture of a rounded off regualr grip frame but all my bisley's are full size.
This the regular frame rounded off with sambar stags on it.

 

[Axehandle]

Gary Reeder commonly round butts the Bisley grip frame.. I think you can see some pics on his web site. Seems like my Reeder Ultimate Backup is slightly rounded. The African Hunter is definitely rounded a bit and wears buffalo horn grips...

 

[foxtrapper]

Just got this one last week

 

[2 dogs]

Send a PM to Boge Quinn, he has a round butt 4 inch 500 Linebaugh with a dovetail front sight and a octagon barrel.

 

[KWYJIBO]

Thanks for the pics, guys. This is exactly what I wanted to see. Everyone keep 'em coming, please!

I REALLY like this one:

Axe, those buffalo horn grips on your African Hunter are beautiful!

I'm just slobbering all over my keyboard here.

 

[powder smoke]

Custom Bisley,45 Colt, Billboard Remove, Charcoal Bueing and Case Colored by Turnbull No rounded but tho.

 

[Boxhead]

One I recently sold on the left.

 

[bigboredad]

for the front site I would go with a ramp and replaceable blades with gold bar inserts for those long range round the world shots.like those on the guns posted above. I don't think those have the inserts but you would make old Elmer proud with those added on.

Nick

 

[KWYJIBO]

for the front site I would go with a ramp and replaceable blades with gold bar inserts for those long range round the world shots.like those on the guns posted above. I don't think those have the inserts but you would make old Elmer proud with those added on.

That's a possibility, Nick. I'm checking out lots of ideas. I sure like the looks of dovetailed front sights. You know YOU'RE the one who talked me into this project, right? I met Ray from Night Owl last night, but he definitely did not impress me.

 

[bigboredad]

well I'm always ready to spend somone elses money :lol: sorry Ray was not what you are looking for that would be cool to have a in town gun smith. Another front sight style that I think looks really cool and adds some toughness look is the barrel band. Gives just a tad more weight up front for when you drop the hammer on those 340's. :shock: I'm very jealous you get work on a project likke that but Hey we will just have to hook up to shoot more often

Nick

 

[M'BOGO]

KWYJIBO, (I can't type that without laughing, if you don't know why, you must watch more Simpson's)
Check out Jim Stroh's front sight base, http://www.alphaprecisioninc.com/revolver/sight.html . In my personal opinion, that is the nicest looking front sight base out there. I don't have any personal experience with them yet, but soon... Anyone have any experience with his setup?

I feel you on the dovetails, but unless you are working with a Vaquero (fixed sight), the blade will be TALL, or you have a base on the barrel, which is dovetailed, which can be cool if done right.

 

[Robb Barnes]

You are right about Jim's front sight set up. I had him put in on my old model 44 Flat top and it is one of the nicest, most sculpted sights out there. In fact I just received another one of Jims front sights with two different blades of different heights and it is going on an OM 45 that is getting a mild facelift.

Here is Jims front sight on the OM 44.

 

[Shadow]

Jim Stroh's front sight, base & blades, are a thing of beauty. He makes 2 ramp blade shapes, a 60 deg. ramp and a 90 deg post. They have a very clean elegant look (not silver soldered on), with only a ramp blade set screw visible from the front. Silver soldering the base is very time consuming, plus you'll have the added cost of refinishing the bbl. They really look good on your OM .44 Robb. Good luck with your decision KWYJIBO.
Shadow

 

[KWYJIBO]

Robb, like so many of your guns, this is a beautiful piece of mechanical artwork! I LOVE it.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Thank you gentlemen, they are fun projects to work on.

 

[M'BOGO]

Robb,

THAT IS THE LAST STRAW! Now one is getting ordered for my Flattop Bisley anniversary, that is getting chopped to 5.5". That is the exact setup I've been on the fence about. I bought one of the "W" ones, and it is just too tall, too long, and a brick, thus uninstalled. Not that the barrel is chopped yet.

Do you remember what blade height you ended up with?

 

[Robb Barnes]

Sorry M'Bogo, I don't remebe which heigth I got on this one. I ridered two different blades for the OM 45 project. Yep, time to get off the fence and get that project going. Beside, you straddle a fence and all you get is a sore crotch without getting anywhere!