S/A Questions

[MapleHill]

Hi all, I have had my Ruger SRH and GP100 since I had my permit. My Dad has had several S&W D/A revolvers all my life. But I have never owned a S/A revolver. A friend had a 41 BH I shot a couple times years ago, other than that, I have never had one in my hand. I am ignorant to all the different designs. What is the difference between the Bisleys, Vaquero, SBH, Old Model, New model, etc. I really want a 41 and the Redhawks are hard to find and more than I care to spend for a shooter. I am considering a BH but would like to know what the difference is between them. Thanks all.

 

[rugerguy]

Lots and too much to set and try to type out all the differences, as some like to say "get the books' , I say stop by the library and try the "free" stuff first, OR go to any of the book stores and do like MANY people we see all the time, and "browse", pretend you are buying??? heck we see folks getting a book, some coffee, and setting there READING..........
bottom line is many of the Rugers you refer to above are single actions, new S&Ws are both single and double action, each and every model is different in their own right and function......
remember the two Rugers you say you have are BOTH single and double actions ,so you are on your way, and you say you shot your friends Blackhawk .41 mag, so you are familiar with the Ruger 'single actions" go from there, and I just sold a Redhawk 5.5 inch 41 mag last gun show, so they are out there.........................
Good luck

 

[Hondo44]

I would start here: http://www.ruger.com/index.html

Click on single action revolvers in the left hand column and check out each model. Be sure to click on the "Distributor Exclusive" section under each single action category to see some of the most exciting SA releases; like the single seven .327 Mag under New Model single sixes section.

Then ask any questions you may have here on this forum and do some searches.

 

[MapleHill]

RugerGuy, I am looking for a general answer, i.e. it seems that most of the differences are in the grips/grip frame. To the untrained eye, they look very similar. I generically call them DA, but understand the DA/SA concept. I am a shooter and not a collector. I reload a lot and shoot as much as I can. I have been debating another SRH either a 454 or a 480 as well as a SP in 22lr or 327, I can reload that! But, I have always wanted a 41mag and the S/A Rugers seem to be plentiful at a reasonable price. I have no intentions of keeping it in the box for decades. It will be shot and carried/hunted with. The S&Ws 657/57s are priced sky high. My Dad has several S&W revolvers, but no 57. Thanks, Mark

 

[schloss]

If you'll be carrying and abusing it, I'd get a new model Blackhawk. Check out the sticky on grip frames to see the differences in them.

Here is a simple start:

Bisley - bisley style grip frame, available on the Blackhawk and Vaquero
Super Blackhawk- same as the blackhawk, but in 44mag
Vaquero - mid-sized frame, fixed sights
New model has a transfer bar safety, and lower value to collectors. Old model does not have a transfer bar safety, is considered unsafe to carry with the hammer on a live round. NM's are not quite as nice (my opinion).

I prefer the mid sized frame, others the large. Check out the Ruger website and see what is listed, and then check gunbroker to see what you might be able to find. Not everything on the Ruger website is actually available.

Use google to research as much as you can.

With the cartridge you've chosen, options will be limited. But if you look into the Colt clones, there may be more possibilities.

 

[6gun]

Never had a single action in your hand? :shock: I believe in learning with hands on, find a good local gun shop or go to a gun show and handle some guns, the sells guys will be more than happy to show you the differences, a gun in hand is worth more than reading about two in the bush.

 

[MapleHill]

Thanks schloss, that is what I was looking for. I don't care about collector value. 6gun, I have shot a BH. Not much, but I have shot one. I never paid them much attention, like I said, Dad has the Smiths, so that is what I grew up shooting/handling. I got a great deal on my SRH and loved it, so I went and got the GP and never looked at a new Smith again. If I get one it probably will be a BH. They are available and affordable. I would really like a SRH in 454 too...man so many choices, so little funding! Thanks for the help guys.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum.

Since you are considering a 41 mag, I'd offer this. The most common easiest to find & least expensive of the options, is the New Model Blackhawk. Now, they can be found in both stainless & blued. They have adjustable sights, and in general shine the best when you reload. They will handle any safe SAAMI loads you use.

If you decide you want to change grip frames, the Rugers all use the same screw hole pattern. The Bisley is a more defined drop down style of grip, while the normal Blackhawk is considered the "plow handled" type. You can also change out a few internal parts such as putting a Super Blackhawk hammer in a Blackhawk. (Some folks like the wider hammer spur.)
One addition to the above info; The Vaquero's with a 2 digit prefix in the serial number is on the same frame size as the Blackhawk. The New Vaquero, with a 3 digit prefix in the serial is a smaller main frame. We generally call them the "original" or the New Vaquero. Some folks get a bit confused about them. But both types have fixed sights, like the old west sixguns.

Mentioned above is a brief description of the Old Models, and the New Models. All Ruger SA models made from 1973 to now have the safety transfer bar system. They are the New Models. Ruger SA's made from 1953 to 1972 are known as Old Models, and have 3 screws in the main frame, vs the 2 pins of the New Models. ANd to throw in a bit more confusion, Ruger has offered & still offers a safety conversion of the OM's to the NM type action. Those of us who collect and shoot a lot prefer the OM action a lot more than the NM's.

Hopefully this helps a bit more.

 

[Hondo44]

Here are the three SA standard or 'plow handle' grip frame relative sizes; sketches by Cary's Custom Grips. The XR3-RED size on blue models is made of blue steel or alum alloy (all OMs are alum). Or stainless depending on the model;
the NM XR3 are always steel or stainless, the XR3 OM is always alum alloy;
SBH are always steel or stainless:

Super Blackhawk vs. Bisley, these (and Birdshead) are always steel:

 

[MapleHill]

Thanks all, I have been curious about this for awhile. But, like I said, nobody I shot with has one. I have checked the Ruger website all the time, but it doesn't describe the differences. I would like to find a stainless BH. A reasonable priced shooter grade redhawk in 41 would be the ticket, but I get impatient and usually spend what I have saved much faster than it takes to find one! I can't really see spending a $1000 for a Smith just to shoot. I never overload anything so if the BH are tough enough for a steady diet of factory loads, my handloads won't hurt 'em. I know you can't kill a SRH. I have no idea how many rounds I have put thru that. It still functions flawless and drives tacks.

 

[rugerguy]

To me, the 41 mag in the redhawk is the way to go, more comfortable to shoot, as the single actions do what they are intended and designed to do,roll back in your shooting hand under recoil, and with magnums it can be a bit harsh, as noted above ,one has to shoot them, really 'get the feel" and either like or dislike, where-as the redhawk, and its larger grip, DA/SA you can do what you want or like to do...on th dwon side, all too many of the Redhawks one sees out there for sale, the seller wants the earth,sun, AND the moon...As I said I just two shows back, we sold for my friend Fred P, who recently passed away, his blued 5.5 inch .41 mag redhawk, and we sold it for $600, was a very good deal, the guy who got it loves it, can and will carry , use it, it was NOT a "safe queen" was carried, and used, no box or paperwork, but compared to other prices we see, was a deal.........
As Ty noted above, the current line of Blawkhawks, in blue or stainless are out there and not that costly either.........

keep your eyes open, ask around, put out the word what you are looking for, and never know, one may come your way...good luck

 

[6gun]

The Bisley was originally designed as a target revolver. It featured a long grip frame for its target grips and a wide target hammer with a low profile, named Bisley after a shooting range in Bisley England, the Vaquero is similar to the old West Colt with fixed sights only heavier frame, new Vaquero is lighter framed model closer in size and weight to the original Colt, Black Hawk very similar to the original Vaquero only with target sights.

So comes down to do you want fixed sights or target sight? Vaquero for fixed sights, black Hawk for Target sights.

Then comes down to do you want a target grip or standard grip? Bisley for target grip all other revolvers standard style grip.

Lastly unless your looking for a used model your choses are new model Black hawk, or new model Vaquero, old models not in production.

Availability and price can also be a deciding factors when shopping often you end up with something different than you original set out to buy when you have to settle for what you can find or get the best deal on.