Originally published at: RUGER’S BIG BORE BISLEYS - Sixguns Firearm Fraternity
JOHN TAFFIN The Ruger Bisleys have been on the market now for around three years and have proven themselves to be well built, strong, good shooting sixguns. In fact these revolvers seem to be put together with more care than normal. I purchased two Bisleys when they first came out, one in .45 Colt and the other in .41 Magnum. One was purchased locally and the other through a distributor. The barrel/cylinder gaps on them are .002″ and .003″ respectively. I have since received two test Bisleys from Ruger, a .44 Magnum and a .357 Magnum, and they go .001″ and .002″.This is exceptional for revolvers in the Bisley price range. The Bisley has become the choice of two custom gunsmiths, John Linebaugh and Hamilton Bowen , for fitting with five shot .500 cylinders and barrels. The Bisley is chosen for its inherent strength, and comfortable grip frame. Like so many others, I erroneously reported that the Ruger Bisley grip frame was a copy of the old #5 SA grip made up for Elmer Keith by gunsmith Harold Croft in 1929. I have since handled the original #5 SA and found the grip to be quite a bit smaller than the Ruger Bisley grip. Keith had small hands and the original grip was made accordingly. The Ruger Bisley was inspired by the #5 but it is not a copy of it. I like these four big bore Bisleys. So much so that I cannot pick one to have John Linebaugh make into a .475 or…
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