Subtle differences in the Bisley over the plow handle makes a big difference in felt recoil, and ACTUAL control-ability. Yet, almost w/o fail, all of the very serious hard recoiling calibers custom built are using a form of the Bisley design for a g/f. Next, look at a Ruger plow handle design, vs. Too often, people want to "control" this when in fact, they are actually "fighting" this. Due to the design of the SA revolver, the physics of recoil make the gun want to "roll & rise" when fired. If you are trying to shoot your Ruger as if it is the S&W, then that is part of the issue. Look at the grip shape of your S&W & compare it with the Ruger, in factory form. And it is definitely more noticeable with maximum loads. Fine, but they are totally different designs, and as such, the physics of recoil are going to be different. You mention you are fine with your S&W but not with the Ruger. And this is usually accompanied by the perception of felt recoil. One thing I OFTEN see as a handgun instructor, is an improper grip. Or, that a Bisley design feels better than a plow handle. If you study the above posts, you will see that the common theme is HOW the gun fits YOUR hands, and how you are shooting it.Īs mentioned, some find the plow handle feels bad when a DA design feels good, & vis-a-versa. In your case, you have the opportunity to experiment until you find the happy point for each grip configuration, and you appear to be on the right track. I don't know if this is true or not but it works for me. Some believe this grip frame configuration was intended to allow this flip as a moderating effect on recoil. For "enthusiastic" loads I prefer the Blackhawk with the original grip panels and simply accept that the muzzle is going to jump as the gun grip rolls down in my hand. Some guns just "work better" for us than others. The Redhawk trades some of the muzzle flip for more felt rearward kick, but only you can decide which is "worse" in your hands. The general ergonomic arrangement of the Blackhawk tends to make muzzle flip more pronounced, and while aftermarket grips may help with this, it's an effort to overcome the reaction inherent in the gun's design. You have already noted that heavier/faster bullets generate more felt recoil, and that will be true regardless of which gun you shoot. Only you can determine if the Blackhawk is "harder to shoot than my 454 Redhawks" since we all react differently to "perceived recoil", much of which is actually reaction to muzzle blast. Best regards, Rod & BTW, Hornady's 210 gr XTP with 9.0 gr of Herco makes a dandy carry load right at 1000 fps from my 3-screw 4-5/8" bbl.The general ergonomics of your Blackhawk are different than those of your Redhawks. For those who've not seen this pic before, those stocks are cut from 4-board horse fencing, poplar, that's just starting to decompose.the marking is called spalting and is the result of bacteria in the wood. Here's a pic of the 3-screw with a pair of stocks I made up. I load both Lyman's 410459 and RCBS' 41-215 for similar velocities and with great accuracy. As does 6.5 gr of Win 231 or 8.0 gr of Herco, with the following bullets. 44 Spl., works equally well with a 210-220 gr. Skelton's justly famous 7.5 gr Unique load for a. I have a Flat Top 6-1/2" as well as a Smith M57 6"er that are just a tad more accurate, but don't feel nearly as 'right' when on the hip.Ĭast bullet loads for my three are uniformly sized to 0.411, with ACWW alloy and 50-50 lube. My favorite is an Old Model Ruger with its 4-5/8" bbl., for its easy carrying length and weight. Great caliber in two fine guns: Ruger's BH and Smith's M57. Unlike most other mounts the irons sights are there and zeroed so if the FF goes TU I can simply remove it quickly and still be good to go. I've D&T'd the top strap for a very low Weaver base and have a Burris Fastfire on it. Price was very right so I was back in the 41 magnum business. He had just recently got the Bisley and had shot 18 rounds of Remington JSPs through it. Then I picked up a Ruger Bisley from an Army Captain who was being transferred to Germany. I ended up letting all the Smiths go thinking of getting a Ruger BH but time and other interests kept that on hold 'til '91. All were very good shooters but the large N frame grip is just not compatible with my smaller hands, especially with DA and with magnum loads. Back in the '70s I went through a couple S&W M57s and a M58. Ruger should make a Blackhawk Flattop and a New Vaquero in 41mag.Would it hold up to the magnum pressures?Īlways liked the 41 Magnum.