kelljor
Bearcat
The title says it all. Does a Bisely "handle" give a more natural point, kinda like a semi auto? Better than a standard "cowboy" gripped single action? I have never handled one. Bisely I mean.
Dumb Question
- Thread starter kelljor
- Start date
I don’t think the Bisley “points” as good as the standard grip (of which there are a few slight variations being different lengths), but a Bisley does help to mitigate recoil better. Some taller shooters (or with larger hands) will usually find use of custom thicker wood grip panels fill the hand better and repositions the knuckle away from the trigger guard. This helps when shooting heavy recoiling loads. Oversized rubber grips, while considered ugly, also accomplish this. If shooting anything other than 44Mag or heavy 45 Colt loads, the standard grip is very pointable and okay with recoil.
Compared to a semi-automatic, I think the standard Ruger (non-Bisley) grip is probably more comparable due to the angle of the hand being a little more forward and the Bisley being more straight up and down.
Compared to a semi-automatic, I think the standard Ruger (non-Bisley) grip is probably more comparable due to the angle of the hand being a little more forward and the Bisley being more straight up and down.
Not a dumb question at all.
That is what it was designed for: in order to give the shooter a more natural grip for target shooting.
Granted, the Bisley grip frame that Ruger produces is NOT the same as the one Colt came up with.
Personally I like it, but it is a personal choice. Certainly not "one size fits all.
That is what it was designed for: in order to give the shooter a more natural grip for target shooting.
Granted, the Bisley grip frame that Ruger produces is NOT the same as the one Colt came up with.
Personally I like it, but it is a personal choice. Certainly not "one size fits all.
The bisley grip (both Colt and Ruger) has never worked for me. Even with heavy recoiling guns, I do better with a plow handle. I put pachmayr rubber grips on them for that kind of recoil.
Love the Bisley grip. In fact I've Bisley-fied several standard "plowhandle" grip Rugers over the years...And, have always shot them better afterwards.
contender
Ruger Guru
As noted,, NOT,, a dumb question. As an instructor,, I tell folks; "There are no such things as dumb questions,, just dumb people for not asking & learning."
Now,, as hittman has offered,, a LOT depends upon many factors. Each & every person has a different hand size & that translates to "Fit & Comfort" for the person holding the firearm.
When I teach,, I tell folks to find a gun with a grip that fits THEIR hands to do the job THEY need it to do.
Often,, you will see that a Bisley gripframe allows a person to shoot a heavier caliber handgun that the same caliber using a plow handle grip frame.
Since you the OP,, (kelljor) is from NC,, I'll offer this;
I'm in WNC. if you desire to try a Bisley,, just contact me & come visit. I'll put a few different grip types in your hands to allow you to see for yourself if they fit your hands & desires.
Now,, as hittman has offered,, a LOT depends upon many factors. Each & every person has a different hand size & that translates to "Fit & Comfort" for the person holding the firearm.
When I teach,, I tell folks to find a gun with a grip that fits THEIR hands to do the job THEY need it to do.
Often,, you will see that a Bisley gripframe allows a person to shoot a heavier caliber handgun that the same caliber using a plow handle grip frame.
Since you the OP,, (kelljor) is from NC,, I'll offer this;
I'm in WNC. if you desire to try a Bisley,, just contact me & come visit. I'll put a few different grip types in your hands to allow you to see for yourself if they fit your hands & desires.
deac45
Blackhawk
The plow handle points well enough for me but then so does the Bisley. The Bisley wins out for me on recoil management and grip repeatability. Bisley doesn't roll up and move in my hand as much as the plow handle. I don't have to reset my grip as much after a shot. Which is what I prefer. Some like the roll up. Only way to know which you prefer is to try them both.
I'm not an expert in anything; I'm strictly a "looks" guy. For most of my shooting years, I actually hated the looks of the Bisley. Then, in the recent past, all of a sudden, I liked the looks (as much as I like the looks of the plow-handle). Also, I have found that the Bisley is better (for me) for target shooting.
J.
J.
pisgah
Buckeye
Some will say, "Yes"; some will say, "No". Some will say, "Either will do"; some will say, "I don't like either"...
This is why the Bisley excels with heavy loads, at least for me. You have to maintain a firm and consistent grip throughout the shot, or you will experience vertical stringing. If I go from a bare hand to gloves, such as when hunting, I have to adjust my sights as the gloves don't grip the handle like a bare hand does. This is exacerbated with the plowhandle as it wants to move more in the hand. Allowing the gun to "roll" may be fine with light loads, but it doesn't work well the with heavy stuff.
For what it is worth, as I understand it, the Bisley was designed for target shooting with lighter loads. The standard cowboy grip was designed to help facilitate thumb cocking with one hand, while holding on to the reins of a horse with the other hand.
Regarding “dumb question,” I had a shop teacher in high school who kept this written on the chalkboard, “It is better to remain silent and be thought dumb than to open your mouth and prove it.”
Of course, a teacher today would be fired for not embracing woke ideology.
Of course, a teacher today would be fired for not embracing woke ideology.
needsmostuff
Blackhawk
The original Colt Bisley grip was more or less designed for a British style of target shooting. Usually less potent cartridges which allowed one handed with the arm extended but the elbow not locked. No Weaver, no Isosceles, no two hands. They work pretty well that way.
Even early Colt double actions followed this design for the "pocket pool" shooting stance.
Not a true Bisley, Ruger modified the grip with a better angle for a more evolved American two-handed locked elbow stance.
Still fine for concentrated, aimed fire but not great for instinctive or point shooting. In fact, most will impact low when point shooting.
The recoil will "feel" different as you will tend to hold it higher. The gun will not rotate up as much and push straighter back.
So it is not a magic solution for anything but more of a different tool for what style of shootin you're pursuing.
Even early Colt double actions followed this design for the "pocket pool" shooting stance.
Not a true Bisley, Ruger modified the grip with a better angle for a more evolved American two-handed locked elbow stance.
Still fine for concentrated, aimed fire but not great for instinctive or point shooting. In fact, most will impact low when point shooting.
The recoil will "feel" different as you will tend to hold it higher. The gun will not rotate up as much and push straighter back.
So it is not a magic solution for anything but more of a different tool for what style of shootin you're pursuing.
I've been shooting Rugers with the XR3 and XR3RED grips (with the occasional SBH setup) for over 60 years. My hand is permanently molded to those shapes. 
I have never handled a Bisley so I cannot make an honest comparison. They do look a little strange to my old eyes, but they are apparently well-done.
I have never handled a Bisley so I cannot make an honest comparison. They do look a little strange to my old eyes, but they are apparently well-done.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
"Better" depends on the person. I'm so affected by aesthetics I couldn't own one just because of the goofy looks no matter how much better they shoot. To each his own.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2017
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Kinda like switching from brunettes to redheads, a little bit. It takes some getting used to but pretty soon you can see an advantage with the redhead, and the Bisley. (Pray to God that my wife never reads these things!) 
- Joined
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Honestly though, I felt the same about Bisley frames until I was at a gun store. This guy was picking up a new one from shipping and we got to talking. I said they just looked too “funky” to ever take seriously. He handed me the new gun and said, “Cock it”. The grip connection changes far less, at least to my hands. I believe it offers more consistency, shot after shot, due to that. I have changed several guns to Bisley because it fits me better. You may wish to pick up identical guns with just the grip differences and see what you think.
Richbaker
Blackhawk
Sad, that dumb question may save the kids fingers.....
Stupid shop teacher, in my opinion.
Actually, he was very good, and effective. The 60’s were different. More learning took place.
Wounded Knee Floyd
Single-Sixer
Here’s a Colt Bisley I had refurbished a few years ago because it was a basket case and needed a lot of new parts! It left the factory as a 32-20. But I had a cylinder and barrel in 44 spl. So that’s what it is today. Even had to find an original hammer as the one in the gun was mangled beyond use!
Attachments
norwegianblue
Bearcat
For some reason, my old Colt bis just doesn't fit my hand well. Still happy to have it in the collection, but it doesn't get shot much. Different strokes, and such...
Richbaker
Blackhawk
I'm almost 70...
Marcruger2
Bearcat
You need to try one in your hand. For me it made the Blackhawk revolver feel twice as big, and increased the trigger reach. Neither of which I liked. On the plus side it made a 45 Colt's recoil feel like a 38 Special. Perhaps I would have liked it better if I had sourced some really slim grips. For the moderate loads I shoot, I much prefer the XR-3 or XR-3RED or Colt SAA gripframe.
In this case, I believe YOU need to hold one and not reply on other's opinions. I have held off buying a Freedom Arms 97 as I do not know where to try one in my hand.
Marcruger2
Bearcat
Oh yes, I do indeed like the Ruger Bisley hammer. 
DGW1949
Hawkeye
My suggestion would be to not just hold one before deciding to buy, but also find one to shoot....To me, the Bisley grip frame and hammer transforms the old SAA design into something else entirely. Might as well get a DA revolver and always thumb-cock the hammer before firing....But....that is coming an old guy that's set in his ways.
DGW
DGW
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