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Post by cddogfan1 on Jun 6, 2012 9:20:49 GMT -5
With alot of talk recently on BFR revolvers and the value,qualityand strength you get for there price. I see some D-MAX BFR on Gunbroker and was wondering how they compare. I know they are earlier versions but how do they compare to the Magnum Research BFRs we are seeing curently.
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Post by Lee Martin on Jun 6, 2012 9:36:17 GMT -5
They're not as strong or as well fit as the BFR version. Good guns, but pretty much in-line with Ruger on quality. When they released the BFR in 2001 they bulked the frame a bit; primarily on the lower front half and around the barrel shank. The guns are line-indexed, ship with minimal cylinder play, and are fit with high quality barrel. I see only two downsides to the BFR. The rubber grips and the front sight. The backstrap is pretty close to a Super Blackhawk. And while some like the Uncle Mike's grips they don't fit me worth a damn. That's why I recommend Jack Huntington's grip extension pictured below. As for the front sight, it's oddly shaped in my opinion. One of the members here (2Dogs) offers a really nice replacement (again pictured below on my 475):  -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time" |
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Post by whitworth on Jun 6, 2012 9:38:45 GMT -5
They're definitely not as beefy as the BFRs that proceded them. Consequently they are a bit lighter. They can take a Bisley grip frame and it's a bolt-on affair....
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Post by bagdadjoe on Jun 6, 2012 16:51:41 GMT -5
How do they compare where it's real important......accuracy?
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Post by maxcactus on Jun 6, 2012 17:45:26 GMT -5
"They can take a Bisley grip frame and it's a bolt-on affair.... "
Whit, do you mean the earlier DMAX BFRs will accept a Bisley grip frame or the newer Mag Rsch? The standard grip frame of the BFR is the only reason I don't already own one. After seeing Lee's Huntington-extended frame though, I may take the plunge if I can't scab on a Bisley GF sans smithing.
Max.
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Post by whitworth on Jun 6, 2012 18:55:17 GMT -5
Max, I was talking about the D-Max BFRs, not the current Magnum Research versions. I was going to have a Bisley grafted to my .500 JRH BFR, but am now just getting the grip frame extension from Huntington.
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Post by maxcactus on Jun 6, 2012 21:26:19 GMT -5
You're making me sad! The fact that I can't bolt a Bisley grip frame to it is almost as bad as the fact that I can't get one of their .45 Colts in the People's Republik of Kalifornia. I'll have to see about getting one of the 6.5" .454s and just stick to using .45 C loads in it.
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Post by tek4260 on Jun 6, 2012 22:02:12 GMT -5
Wonder why the owner didn't install Bisley hammers when swapping frames. |
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Post by Lee Martin on Jun 7, 2012 8:05:05 GMT -5
The 454 DMAX is quite a deal. We'll see where the price lands, but right now it's a bargain. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time" |
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Post by cddogfan1 on Jun 7, 2012 9:25:17 GMT -5
The 454 DMAX is quite a deal. We'll see where the price lands, but right now it's a bargain. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time" I thought so too. Was wondering what you thought. Think I might make a bid on it. |
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dvnv
.30 Stingray
Posts: 123
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Post by dvnv on Jun 7, 2012 9:27:38 GMT -5
"You're making me sad! The fact that I can't bolt a Bisley grip frame to it is almost as bad as the fact that I can't get one of their .45 Colts in the People's Republik of Kalifornia. I'll have to see about getting one of the 6.5" .454s and just stick to using .45 C loads in it. "
OTOH, you are less than an hour's drive from Huntington...
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Post by whitworth on Jun 7, 2012 10:07:02 GMT -5
I think it's neat because it's not a JT. You don't see a lot of D-Maxs out there -- at least I haven't seen them. I really like the fact that you can bolt on a Bisley.......
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Post by maxcactus on Jun 8, 2012 2:43:20 GMT -5
OTOH, you are less than an hour's drive from Huntington... That thought crossed my mind as well, esp after seeing Lee and Whit's Huntington modified BFRs! I feel this leading into my first foray into supergun revolverdom (> .44 Mag or Ruger .45 Colt power)... Perhaps the BFR in .475 L. For < $1000 it's a smoking bargain. If anyone is interested, I found a LNIB .45-70 BFR w/Simmons scope on GB last night for $700! Seems like a bargain. I just have no desire for the longer frame and bigger round. |
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Post by mingokid on Jun 12, 2012 20:59:33 GMT -5
I have a BFR 454 casull 7 1/2" barrel with serial number that begins with DM. Is this one of the models in question? I bought it new and love it. The fit and finish is better than Rugers (not a slam, just saying). The gripframe seems interchangable with SBH's as I have aftermarket SBH grips on it. I envisioned this as the ultimate revolver and sent it to Magnaport for a brake and sights. Through the years it really just lead me to the 45 colt and Blackhawks! When I figure out how to post pictures, I will post a few. Oh well, rambling. Is my BFR a d-max?
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Post by bigbores on Jun 12, 2012 22:10:56 GMT -5
I have a BFR 454 casull 7 1/2" barrel with serial number that begins with DM. Is this one of the models in question? I bought it new and love it. The fit and finish is better than Rugers (not a slam, just saying). The gripframe seems interchangable with SBH's as I have aftermarket SBH grips on it. I envisioned this as the ultimate revolver and sent it to Magnaport for a brake and sights. Through the years it really just lead me to the 45 colt and Blackhawks! When I figure out how to post pictures, I will post a few. Oh well, rambling. Is my BFR a d-max? Before MRI bought the BFR's they were made by d-max before that they were sidewinders, the sidewinders are basically Ruger quality. d-max's are closer to custom built Rugers and came with a lifetime warranty, BFR bought the D-max and sold them until they revamped them making them cheaper to mass-produce lost the life time warranty and they also made some changes to make them stronger like a larger cylinder, some reason they felt the needed beef up the frame most likely for weight and there long frames, this is when the DM ser# was replaced with the JT ser#. So long story short yes, if your BFR ser# begins with DM then its a d-max. I like the D-Max a little better because of weight, interchangeably with Ruger gripframes and better fit. I like the newer ones for there larger cylinder, better rounds there chambered in and because there still made. Here's 2 I have both started as 6.5" PRE JT .45Colts. One was customized a bit and chambered to a 455GNR (475Linebaugh necked to .452") The other one is factory other than the short rounded Ruger gripframe.  |
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