New SSBH Bisley

[robctwo]

I broke down and bought this guy. Had been looking at this gun, but only found one very over priced model. Suddenly a couple more reasonably priced showed up.

I took possession at my club today. Put about 300 200 and 250 gr. target rounds through the .45 Colt and 150 45ACP rounds as well.

I like this set up. Accurate gun for me.

The 4 5/8 model works good for me as well, but I really like the grip angle on the Bisley, probably from all my semi auto shooting.

The S&W 25 Classic is still shooting well, but I might get the chambers reamed this winter.

 

[Dale53]

I recently acquired a Ruger SS Bisley .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible. I reamed the throats on both of the cylinders. The .45 colt leaded and I couldn't chamber my .45 ACP reloads. After reaming the revolver shoots like a match gun with both cylinders.

I had a trigger job done and had the original pawl modified to a free spin pawl.

I am quite impressed with this revolver. I have a four cavity brass Mihec bullet mould for a clone of the RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet coming (I already have a MiHec two cavity brass hollow point mould for this revolver). I consider this one of the best bullets available for the .45 Colt.

Dale53

 

[robctwo]

I've seen some ideas on home reaming chamber throats, and looked at a commercial guy as well. What technique did you use?

 

[Dale53]

robctwo;
I borrowed a Manson reamer kit from a good friend. It is a "made for the job" kit complete with a variety of pilots. If you are good with your hands, and have more than one cylinder to do, get the kit. If not, then you can send the cylinder (only) to Cylindersmith.com. I have heard many good reports regarding him (good work, reasonable price, and quick turn around).

Dale53

 

[Hammerdown77]

I'd send both cylinders to cylindersmith.com

He does a great job, with fast turnaround. I was pleased with the work on both of my cylinders.

And he's a member here.

 

[contender]

I have one of those guns,, and I too enjoy how it feels.

 

[jazzman]

I have been looking for one locally. I ordered a new convertible blackhawk but when it came in it had cosmetic issues and the dealer returned it. I decided to wait and find one I could look at to make sure it was right. That would be great if I could find a Bisley like yours but I am not sure one will pop up anytime soon. Congratulations on a nice looking gun,

Jim

 

[robctwo]

Good to hear the positive feedback on cylindersmith. That's where I was going to send them.

I had heard about some cosmetic issues with these guns, especially on the left side of the frame. Mine looks good.

I ran a bore snake through the gun and sprayed a bit of Eezox on it prior to shooting. After a couple hundred rounds I was getting some binding which was preventing the hammer from cocking easily. I doused it with Eezox, sprayed a bunch down around the hammer and took out the cylinder and cleaned the breech face real well. Gun ran like a top. That stuff is great first aid on the range.

 

[M'BOGO]

I love those stainless models, I just can't justify the cash outlay. I put a Bisley together from a blued 5.5 inch convertible somewhere around '01. It is far and away one of my favorite sidearms.

 

[QB]

Congratulations on a great gun. I am prefer Bisleys but also LOVE the 4 5/8 barrel.

If anyone is looking for the convertible Bisley, Sporting Arms has one of them and/or can get them for you. Look on their website for the price, it's lower than the ones on GunBroker.

I purchased one but didn't like the finish issues so it was returned. I looked at a couple of others but they didn't look much better (to me) so I bought a stainless .357mag Blackhawk. I still would like to get one of these convertibles if I could find one at the right price that suited my finicky taste. I don't work on my own guns so am not able to fix things like most of you guys.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I'd send both cylinders to cylindersmith.com

He does a great job, with fast turnaround. I was pleased with the work on both of my cylinders.

And he's a member here.

 

[Swampbilly]

I had never owned a single action revolver before and had the money to spring for one. After looking into it, I thought if I were going to get just one, then the 5-1/2, SS, Bisley convertible was the one to own.

It took a little while for some to pop up, as you know they aren't common Ruger production...but eventually bought one from a Ruger Forum member and have been really happy with it.

Besides the grip being a better fit for my hands, I also liked the lower profile on the hammer, and the flexibility of the dual caliber cylinders.

 

[Snookkatcher]

WOW! That's my 'dream-gun' of Ruger single actions. It's got everything 'just right' for me...Bisley grip/trigger/hammer, Stainless, 5 1/2 "bbl., in .45 Colt, WITH a .45 ACP Cyl. to feed it in times of .45 Colt shortage/same ammo as my Kimber 1911 ( commonality VS separate ammo carried/needed ). I tried the Sporting Arms website; using their search function I couldn't find that model in-stock/listed, so I requested a price quote. We'll see.....can't afford one at the moment without some serious trading anyway...but.... LOL! For you guys that have 'em...great score on a SWEET gun! Lee

 

[QB]

From Sporting Arms website:

R0472
RUG KRBN455WX 5.5" BISLEY SS 45LC/45lc
Revolver
$527.00

 

[Dale53]

When you consider that it's really "two guns in one" that is an excellent price ($527.00) for a really FINE revolver.

I realize that I had to do some work on mine (ream cylinders, have trigger job done, and elected to have the pawl modified to a "free spin pawl") but I smile every time I think of it.

Dale53

 

[Snookkatcher]

:shock: That's an AWESOME price! It's not but a few bucks more than I paid for my blued 5.5" Blackhawk .45 Convertible almost 10 years ago! Thanks for the quick help...I don't know what I did/didn't do on their Search feature. ( <-- seriously )! ( Not seriously --> ) And, thanks for inciting my brand-new case of 'Ruger panic' AKA 'Gottahaveit-itis" LOL! Soooo close, but out of reach of a stubby checkbook for a little while...DANG!
Ditto's on the unbeatable value, Dale53. As for the 'tweaking' work, I look at it as fine-tuning a race-tank....LOL! The free-spin pawl and a Belt Mountain locking base pin would get installed ASAP. Cylinder reaming...maybe have all four cylinders done at once. Do they do a 'volume discount'?? LOL! Lee

 

[Swampbilly]

From Sporting Arms website:

R0472
RUG KRBN455WX 5.5" BISLEY SS 45LC/45lc
Revolver
$527.00

I would double-check that one...above it says "45LC/45lc"...shouldn't that be 45LC/45ACP ? Could just be a misprint.

Just make certain you're getting the convertible with both 45 calibers. If it checks out, that is a great price...they are normally listed in the $600 - $700 range.

 

[QB]

I sent an email and they confirmed the model number as having both the .45ACP and the 45LC. At the time they also confirmed that the gun had the black laminate grips and the warning on the bottom of the barrel. Of course I'd check again.

 

[Dale53]

From Sporting Arms website:

R0472
RUG KRBN455WX 5.5" BISLEY SS 45LC/45lc
Revolver
$527.00

I would double-check that one...above it says "45LC/45lc"...shouldn't that be 45LC/45ACP ? Could just be a misprint.

Just make certain you're getting the convertible with both 45 calibers. If it checks out, that is a great price...they are normally listed in the $600 - $700 range.

We know it is a misprint but it is also kind of the "truth". The .45 ACP is kind of a short .45 Colt. The .45 Colt was black powder and we can get black powder .45 Colt performance with the .45 ACP (in a modern revolver, that is). My 625-8 in .45 ACP does 900+ fps with a 250 gr Keith and that "ain't exactly chopped liver"... so saying the convertible is .45 LC (note the capitols) and .45lc (note the lower case)...

Just sayin'...
Dale53

 

[Swampbilly]

Well, then I would jump on it for that price of $527. Mine was $600, including shipping...and at the time I bought it, there were others advertised that were priced higher than that. Because I am a member on a local firearms Forum, my FFL transfer was only $10.

Most of the ones you see now all have the black laminate grips...and I like the markings on the barrel rolled underneath where they don't show as much.

 

[M'BOGO]

Every time I see one at a reasonable price, I want to jump on it. Two would be better than one, and one stainless, one blued no less...

 

[robctwo]

I paid $575 plus $18 shipping. It cost me $15 to get the background check/transfer fee at my club. I wasn't aware of the Sporting Arms deal. I do not have buyer's remorse. Last one of these I looked at was $899 on GB. Funny, still there at that price.

I will probably wait for the weather to turn and see about a package deal from cylindersmith. I have the two BH convertibles, the S&W 25 Classic and a 25-13 Mountain Gun that could all benefit from the reaming.

 

[robctwo]

OK, is it BIsley or BEEsley for pronunciation?

 

[M'BOGO]

OK, is it BIsley or BEEsley for pronunciation?

Bizli

 

[robctwo]

b I as in ice sl I as in ice?

 

[QB]

I was told Bisley (as in B "is" and "lee")....sort of. It's not as in "ice" as far as I know.

 

[Swampbilly]

Last one of these I looked at was $899 on GB. Funny, still there at that price.

Yeah...I also saw that one on Gun Broker, priced at around $900. I knew it could stay there for that price...and like you say, I think it is still there. That is way overpriced.

With my shipping costs included, for the gun itself, mine was about $580.

 

[M'BOGO]

I was told Bisley (as in B "is" and "lee")....sort of. It's not as in "ice" as far as I know.

That is as good a way of explaining it. I guess I should've written bizlee.