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Ruger Bisley vs Vaquero question.

NOTPARS
I am toying with the idea of buying my own "modern" version of a cowboy gun. I really like the Rugers in .45 long Colt (shot one recently and liked it). From what I can tell, the only difference between the Vaquero and Bisley Vaquero is the hammer and trigger. Is that correct? Which would be more "authentic?"


"We're going up to Kansas to set things a-right."
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Boomerang
    The Vaquero is closer to the original SAA than the Bisley Vaquero(BV). FYI, beyond the differences in the trigger and hammer group, the grip is different too. The Vaquero grip is smaller than the BV. Further, the BV grip is more of a right angle than the plain Vaquero grip. Although the grip is smaller on the Vaquero, the BV tends to be better for shooters with short fingers due to the reach of thumb to hammer distance is less than that of the Vaquero. IMHO, the BV is also bettter for those with large hands. My little finger dangles off the end of a Vaquero grip. In the end, you really need to go handle both to see which one you prefer.

    Boomer

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"

    . and the antithesis to this philosophy was uttered by Bill Clinton "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale."[V]

    NRA Life Member
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  • Dr. Holliday
    A lot of gun writers have touted the benefits of the Bisley grip configuration for heavy recoiling rounds, I have personally never cared for the looks of these things. I had a Ruger Gloss Stainless Vaquero and was very satisfied, but Ruger fixed sight single actions tend to shoot quite low and frequently to the left. Of course a file on the front sight will fix the low shooting. Even if it is a tad less traditional I prefer the adjustable sight Blackhawks for the majority of my shooting.
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  • THINMAN
    THE VAQUERO'S DESIGN IS A COPY OF THE COLT SAA . THE COLT BISLEY'S LONGER GRIP, TO GET THE PINKIE ON ALLOW THE SHOOTER TO GET A BETTER GRIP . THE LOWERED HAMMER SPUR ALLOWS YOU TO REACH IT WITH THE THUMB
    WITHOUT LOOSENING THE GRIP.I WAS TOLD THAT TARGET SHOOTING WAS BECOMING
    A POPULAR SPORT ,THUS THE CHANGES WEREB MADE TO BETTER SUIT THE TARGET SHOOTERS NEEDS.


    THINMAN
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  • gskyhawk
    both are fine revolvers , both are consider correct for the time period , if you want to know more about how the bisley design came about, you need to read up on the matches that where held in Bisley England, I would shoot both before buying either as there is a fair amount of difference in how they feel , I would also suggest tring the 5 1/2" barrels models , but you can also get 4 5/8 or 7 1/2" .....
    the bisley is much easier to cock if you're planning on shooting one handed (right thumb ) , where as for me the vaquero is easier to cock if I'm shooting 2 handed using my left thumb to cock (speed shooting )....

    also as Dr. Holliday says don't be surprized if its shoots low and left

    EMF also makes the same type of revolvers , never had one so can't say how they are but have read good things about them
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  • Pinhead
    I have shot both regular grip(vaquero) and bisley gripped revolvers. I liked them both but from my own point of view ,I liked the regular grip a little better because I shoot with a weaver stance. To me at least,the regular grip just felt better with the 2 handed hold. I did notice that the bisley seemed to recover in recoil with heavy loads a little quicker and seemed to give less felt recoil. I suspect that like a lot of other things in shooting, it all boils down to what feels good to you. My advice would be to try both and go with what feels better to you.
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  • NOTPARS
    For Boomerang: Thanks, your post was a big help. I am leaning toward the Bisley Vaquero. Its not that I am interested in Cowboy Action shooting. Its just that I wanted an old wild west gun and I like the BV.
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  • NOTPARS
    For Doctor Holliday: Thanks, recoil is always a consideration. I shot a Vaquero with a 7 inch plus barrel and the recoil was mild Of course, those were Cowboy Action loads I was told.
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  • NOTPARS
    For Thinman: Thanks, that was the kind of information I was looking for. It may be a little while but I'm still leaning toward the BV. Too bad they shoot low though. How do the Colt's shoot? (too rich for my wallet).
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  • NOTPARS
    For gskyhawk: Good advice, I knew I'd find it here. I really like the five and a half inch barrel. But I do need to try them both first...that will be the tough part. I never seen any for sale in the Kansas City area even at gun shows.
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  • NOTPARS
    For Pinhead: Also good advice. I have been using the other stance, although I grew up on the Weaver. I switched because after the operation on my elbows and right shoulder, the Weaver seemed to hurt more after shooting...I have wanted one of these since I was a kid growing up on Hop-a-long Cassiday, Wild Bill Hic...hey giving my age away now.
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  • gskyhawk
    I bet if you go over to the general discussion forum and ask if there is anyone within driving distance of you that has any , you may be surprised , there are several guys in the KS area , whether they have that type of gun I can't say , but it never hurts to ask [:D]

    too bad you don't live closer to WI , you could come over and try mine out , 7 1/2" Vaquero 45lc and a 5 1/2" Bisley Vaquero in 44mag ,also have 6 1/2" Bisley single six , 6 1/2" old model blackhawk, and a few others [:D][:D]
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