Thinking of a new revolver

waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Big gun show this weekend just North of here. It's been a pretty long time since I bought a new handgun. I have been really considering a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in 45 ACP/45 Colt
Can anyone here give me any pros or cons on this revolver? The 3 3/4" SS Lipsey looks really nice but I'd probably end up with a 4 5/8" standard run of the mill version.
How well can I expect the ACP cylinder to shoot? How are the throats on these revolvers?
My only two current 45 molds are a NOE copy of the H&G68 and an RCBS 45-270-SAA
I'd like to hear your input. Oh. Also. I've only ever held a Bisley. Never shot one. It felt nice in the hand though.
Your thoughts?
Walter
 
J

JSH

Active Member
I have a SS Bisley 45Colt/ACP, 51/2".
I opened up the cylinder on the Colt, helped a lot but it is still going to Doug Guy.
The ACP pinned at .451+, .452 won't fit and the 451 has a bit of wiggle. I decided to leave it alone as it just seems to shoot everything fairly well. It is handy to burn up test ammo that won't cycle a 1911. Or ammo that doesn't run well in an auto. I had about 3-4 coffee cans full of culls I played with for a long time.
 
nicholst55

nicholst55

New Member
Definitely check the chamber throats for diameter; all I've seen or experienced are too small, and of differing diameters in the same cylinder. Also check for a thread constriction where the barrel screws into the frame. The ACP cylinders generally shoot nearly as well as the Colt cylinders, despite that long jump the bullet has to make before it enters the forcing cone.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Sounds like an excellent idea to me. I love the 4 5/8” barrels. Everything I have read says the 45 ACP shoots great.
Hope for .451or under throats. You can take some off, damn hard to put it back.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
If you want to " use the Colts to it's fullest capability" be sure it's it's an old Vaquero on the big frame if you're happy with the standards the New Model Vaquero is fine .
Throats are all over but if you're getting a Lipsey that should be fixed .
My BH likes max straight Colts loads and most ACP loads it seems to show a preference for 250-265 bullets but shape doesn't seem to be a factor . The ACP I haven't done a lot of work with other than the 3-4 bullets loaded for the 1917 and HP 945 , loads on hand . All shot well enough for fun .
If you have a choice , I really like the target sights even in the field . Front sight inserts don't seem to make a significant difference for me , slightly color deficient .
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
The BH in 45 Colt is an awesome gun. Had mine for close to 20 years. With mild loads it is a pussycat. With heavy loads in has “brisk”recoil. Loads with lots of H110 and a 250-300gr bullets will get your attention.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I like a 290-300gr bullet over 10 gr of #105 surplus. Runs 950 FPS in the BH and isn’t bad in recoil.
Mine is an old GB 6 cav Lee. Need to get a different mound as that one is about worn out.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Here is what I’m currently using. My Marlin 1984CB really does well with this one too. Only 45 Colt bullet I have used in probably a decade.

ED64209E-05A4-4A57-B2B0-AECE794A6AD1.jpeg
 
F

freebullet

Guest
The redhawk in ss 45lc/acp combo is very nice. A friend got it last year, I've really enjoyed it the few times I had the chance.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Freebullet. I looked at those as well. I just really miss having a Blackhawk around and the Bisley grip frame has me in a trance.....
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Ha, I get it on the bh. I would be very unopposed to having another.

Rick, hasn't tried to seize your funds into a freedom arms...:headscratch:yet.
 
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C

creosote

Well-Known Member
I bought the lipsey ss bisley flat top 44 spec. 5.5 barrel a few months back.
Long story short, the 5.5 is no longer in production, so they are sending me a 4 5/8.
They gave me the choice to pick another pistol, and the one your thinking about was teetering the scales for me, but I just asked if they could give the shorter barrel one a good looking over before sending it.

Long story short.
If I could do it over, I'd go for the fa.
 
Hawk

Hawk

Well-Known Member
I'm going to try ro go to that same gun show. Might have to go Sunday, though. I have a memorial service I have to attend at 2:00 on Saturday.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
freebullet said:
Rick, hasn't tried to seize your funds into a freedom arms...:headscratch:yet.
Click to expand...

waco said:
Lol! Not yet, but the week is young!
Click to expand...

Didn't chime in because Waco asked specifically about a BH Bisley. He did however ask for pros and cons of the Ruger. Pro - Yep it will most likely go bang. Con - It ain't an FA.

That said my 45 Colt is a Black Hawk converted to Bisley. No ACP cylinder for it. I bought it from my smith who had built this revolver for himself, he had built himself two, the 7 inch I bought and a 4 3/8". Decided he liked the stubby better and sold me the longer barrel gun. It's quite the revolver, throat variation across all 6 holes is measured in tenths and the throats measure just a few tenths over groove diameter. Timing is near perfection & trigger is quite smooth & crisp.

No . . . My 45 Colt isn't an FA but it's about as close as I've ever seen a Ruger. :)
 
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