Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns New sixgun... input needed.

...and if you wanted the Bisley....

https://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkConvertible/specSheets/0472.html

Dang! There are times I wish my horses weren't such money sponges. Nice bunch of revolvers! Every one of em.

This is what I would suggest as well. This is my BFR in .44 Mag with a 4 5/8-inch barrel.

Ky221: I highly recommend a Smith & Wesson Model 66 or 686 with 6" barrel and no lawyer lock.
The double actions do more things well than the single actions - I know I own and have used them both for 50+ years now.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I've had several BHs, SBHs, and a couple Bisleys. All are a load in a belt holster, even the 5 1/2" ones. Better would be a tanker-style rig or a shoulder holster.

I'd be more inclined to go with a S&W L- or N-frame with a 4" barrel in .357, .41, .44, or .45. Any of those will kill a deer or pig just fine. The .45 with 250gr bullet at 850-1000fps has killed plenty of stuff, and would be quieter if you have to take a quick shot without plugs.

If I could do it all over I'd go ACP over the .44 Special.

Just makes more sense.

Since you don't care to reload, a Ruger 357/9mm convertible might rate some consideration too. Don't have one myself, but I kind of have the itch, given the wallet-friendly price of 9mm FMJ ammo. Then you can always step it up with 357 when you want to.


Here's some more 'help'. Top to bottom: 44 Mag, 22 convertible, 44 Mag, 45 convertible, 357

For the purposes you laid out any of the options offered so far would work well. Personally the 5.5 inch flattop Ruger Bisley in 44 Special seems perfectly suited for deer, hogs and woods bumming. Load a 429421 or H&G503 over 7.5 grains of Unique, go forth and enjoy.

Agree wholeheartedly...

The Ruger Bisley Flat Top in 44 Special is the about the only handgun that I regret letting go (and I have turned quite a few).

The only caveat is that it is a reloaders proposition.

Jerry

I have a long standing affinity for the 44 special , but honestly agree with this

Ditto on the quoted quoted quote.

Bear in mind the Ruger Flattop .45 ACP/Colt is based on a medium frame so if you ever did handload for it don't automatically go to the "Ruger Only" loads section of the handloading manual. But within its limitations (a poor word in this context), it would still do everything you mentioned with the .45 Colt cylinder while the ACP cylinder offers about a brazillion choices for practice or "serious" ammo.

I've gone pretty much 45 ACP exclusively for main battery handguns and one reload for any application where a factory load isn't perceived to be advantageous.

IS - do you know anyone locally who has one for sale?

Just as a general FYI they're making New Model's in the 40/10mm convertibles also.

I didn't want to hijack this thread with a question about the .45 Colt guns with extra .45 ACP cylinders, so I started a new thread. Would appreciate any input from those with experience.

Appreciate all the fine feedback gentleman.

Been reading and thinking bout this most of the day. I think I’m gonna go 45LC/45ACP route in the bisley 5.5”

'Flave's link is where you want to be, if you're looking for a handgun to carry as well as shoot. The Flattops are more portable and a lot lighter than some of the hog legs listed in this thread.

I have not seen any locally. Buds in Lexington has the Match Champion available.

I purchased a Ruger LCP from Bud's a few weeks ago and had it shipped into Mid Star Firearms on Hiway 44. The transaction was quite seamless and I had the revolver in my hand in less than a week.

Wow, I could go for that.

Too bad, that I have already spent about three years worth of "toy allowance" in the last six months.

...think of it as investing in your kids inheritance....(I can rationalize anything)