Ruger Bisley 454, need a better grip frame

[de1216]

So many posts here and elsewhere about poor quality control on Ruger Bisley 454 and 480 revolvers. What gives?

I was trying to figure how to get a Ruger Bisley 454 with a grip frame that has the same feel as my FA 83 454 (more room between my fingers and the trigger guard.)

I have a few 45 Colt BHs (one favorite that Mr. Harton worked over for me a few yrs back). They feel better than my Bisley 44 Mag or 45 Colt to quickly take hold of and hit what I want to hit, WITH LOADS BELOW +P LEVEL. With heavy loads they shift enough in my hands that I end up with a bleeding middle finger/knuckle.

My Ruger Bisley models in 44 and +P 45 Colt are easier to hang on to under heavier recoil, but the fact that my middle finger is right up against the trigger guard means I still end up with a bruised middle finger.

How do I get the feel of my FA 454 grip frame on a Ruger 454 without paying out the same money as hunting down another FA 83 with a shorter barrel?
(IF I dare spend the money first on a new Ruger 454 and gamble with several warranty returns to Ruger BEFORE I tackle the grip frame issue)

D.

[Encore64]

Huntington does a grip modification on the Bisley that gives more clearance. I'd look into that option first.

[CraigC]

You can do Huntington's grip mod to the Bisley grip frame or have him extend a standard XR3-RED or XR3 grip frame to allow more room for your digits.

Or you might just need better grips. Custom grips make all the difference, the factories pretty much suck.

[coldtriggerfinger]

I guess it must be in the hands. Tho I liked the grip on the Model 83s I've shot or owned. I never liked them nearly as well as I do the Bisley. I have relatively short fingers but fairly thick hands. I don't like the extra reaching I have to do to thumb the hammer on a Blackhawk or FA.

[Encore64]

Aug 2, 2017 2:05:34 GMT -5 coldtriggerfinger said:

I guess it must be in the hands. Tho I liked the grip on the Model 83s I've shot or owned. I never liked them nearly as well as I do the Bisley. I have relatively short fingers but fairly thick hands. I don't like the extra reaching I have to do to thumb the hammer on a Blackhawk or FA.

That's it in a nutshell. Also, why you'll never hear me say something is the best. It may be my favorite, but doesn't make it the best.

No easy task for a grip maker to please everyone.

[coldtriggerfinger]

If I always cock a Blackhawk with my support hand thumb then the Houge,Finger Grooved , rubber grip makes shooting a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk fine. But , if for the same or close money I can get a Bisley. It's a no brainer for me. I like the look , feel and action of a Bisley Blackhawk, or Super Blackhawk better than any revolver on earth. Tho I very much like my SRH now that I have a Houge finger grooved rubber grip on it. And I think I'll like a 4" Redhawk if I can get the same grip shape for it.

[daveb]

The Freedom Arms Model 83 is the best grip for me, especially with heavy recoil. I have stubby sausage fingers, and it is much more comfortable than any of my Bisleys.

[bradshaw]

del1216.... it is an anatomical fact that some revolver grips feel great----before heavy recoil. Dick Casull contoured his grip frame to fit his hand; after all, he was his own guinea pig in developing the .454 Casull. I was the main instigator in getting Freedom Arms and Pachmayr together to furnish a grip which wouldn’t batter a shooter’s hand in long courses of fire. I think Carl Cupp at Pachmayr contoured the neoprene grip to his large hand, as the result is a bit generous for my hand.

A grip which sets a French curve to protect the middle finger from contact with the trigger guard does wonders. A single action grips which fills behind the trigger guard must not run straight into the guard, as the middle finger still gets whacked. Unfortunately, no grip which fills behind the trigger guard is beautiful. Aesthetically, front & back straps must be exposed. The alternative to reach an aesthetic compromise is to do as Jack Huntington does, recontour the grip frame, then attach appropriately thick scales.

If any single action grip frame needs work to fit your hand, it may be wise to start with a BFR .454 Casull. There are shooters on this site, including but certainly not limited to Lee Martin and Max Prasac, ready to assure you the importance of having a grip that feels good UNDER RECOIL. Take it from old timers such as John Taffin, Dick Thompson, John Parker, and this shooter, to shoot straight is serious business and to enjoy that shooting is just as serious.

To shoot well, and shoot well for a long time, we must protect our anatomy.
David Bradshaw

[de1216]

Thanks for the input folks. I have not yet found comparison images online for Mr. Huntington's grip frame modification. Hope to catch him on the phone soon and discover cost/time estimate on such mod as well as a few tuneup items.

D.

[whitworth]

This Bisley has Huntington's grip from mods and a grip made for my hand. It's subtle and really effective. This is the grip on my .500 Maximum and it has rarely bashed my middle finger and when it has, it has been on the bench.

[450ak]

There's a lot of metal you can remove from the front of the grip frame. We welded a filet from the trigger guard to the frame so it won't whack middle finger knuckle. Also enlarged the trigger guard so we can shoot them in cold weather wearing gloves. That's a little trickier.
Most of this stuff you can do yourself because no one else does.

[2 Dogs]

While it is a complete mystery to me, some sixgunners do not feel comfortable with the Bisley grip frame. Reeder does a magnum style grip frame for the hard kickers. If you decide to swap yours out, it won't take but maybe 30 seconds to sell your Bisley take off parts.

[58cal]

Yep... I swapped the Bisley grip frame out for a Super Blackhawk Hunter grip frame and Ivory grips on my 480Ruger...👍

[Yetiman]

Another example of Huntington's grip mod and panels fitted to me.

I thought I had a shot with an un modified grip panel on it for comparison, but cannot find it now.

[coldtriggerfinger]

Aug 4, 2017 11:21:37 GMT -5 2 Dogs said:

While it is a complete mystery to me, some sixgunners do not feel comfortable with the Bisley grip frame. Reeder does a magnum style grip frame for the hard kickers. If you decide to swap yours out, it won't take but maybe 30 seconds to sell your Bisley take off parts.

Thats for sure!!