Need advice, buyers regret

The standard answer:

Get both

Bones741 said:

Well went to the lgs today to buy a .22 ended up with a deposit on something on the opposite end of the spectrum. Ruger sbh bisley 44 mag,3.75" ,Bowen sights,like new. Tag said it is a montado edition. But looking around i can't find anything about a sbh montado bisley. Paying 700 out the door, put 500 down. But still need to go and have it added to my permit.
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Now after getting home and letting the excitement die down I'm kinda second geussing myself. It would be a fun and a decent side arm for the woods. But a 22 makes more sense. My lgs is really good about switching deposits so that would be a non issue. Honest thoughts,what do you guys think? Keep it,or just putpny deposit towarda a single six convertible? She sure is purdy though

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What's to regret? Go ahead and take it home, take it out and shoot it.

Then either take it out and shoot it some more, or clean it up good and stick it back at the back in your gun safe and just possess it. In either case get the .22 next. Then you'll have both.

See?

WestKentucky said:

Single action plow handles do not work out well for lots of people in big bore thumpers, which is part of the reason Bisley guns are readily available, but rarely as pretty as that one.

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Which is why I suspect that gun was traded in after only a few rounds. Maybe not. It would probably be a pleasant gun to shoot with .44 specials tho.

Not uncommon for me to get buyers remorse after making a purchase. But once I start shooting the new gun, the smile comes to my face and I'm glad I purchased it.
I'd take the .44 home with a box or two of .44 Specials. You can always find a .22. That .44 has upgraded grips and the Bowen sight is a great plus.

Dana

I was elated to see Ruger making a Bisley shorter than a 7½" but disappointed that it was 'that' short. To me, a Bisley needs a certain amount of barrel length for balance and the minimum, which also happens to be my favorite, is 4 5/8". Any shorter and all the weight is in the butt. Desirable in a woman (for some) but not ideal for a revolver. So a 3¾" barrel needs a standard plowhandle grip frame. I don't care for heavy loads with a plowhandle grip frame so there's no reason for it to be a .44Mag. In which case a mid-frame .44Spl, .45Colt or .45ACP would be preferable.

Asking which one to get on a gun forum is like well------------------- You get the idea. I am in the position that if I want it I get it. One just starting out has some tough decisions to make. Looks like you have it together. Common sense says a .22 the bling/picture says otherwise. I agree that the .22 will be a LOT easier to find later. Glad I am not in your shoes today.

The Ruger Montado series was a low production run, and as I recall, it was intended for mounted cowboy action shooting. Mounted shooting required the use of blanks which were provided by the host club and only .45 Colt loads were used. The event was sort of like a barrel race with balloon targets along the way. Shorter barrels were preferred as was the lower hammer and longer grip of the Bisley model. But your .44 mag was obviously not intended for this market. The caliber is wrong and it has adjustable sights which would have been pointless. My guess is that Ruger figured the Montado set-up would also make a dandy trail gun and therefore produced a few in .44 mag. with the adjustable sight.

Only you can decide whether to keep the gun. If I were making the choice I would certainly keep it, but I reload, and there is something to be said about "pride of ownership". You very likely will never see another model like this one.

I'd go with the .44mag (and I'm not a particular .44mag fan, much rather have a .41mag or .357mag). Yes, the .22 will probably get more use and be more practical. However, .22lr is everywhere, you won't have trouble finding something you want later. That .44mag has some character and isn't your run of the mill .44mag. It is a pretty gun (how often can you say that about a Ruger), and you probably won't run into another like it. Get the .44mag, and start saving again for a .22 soon.

chaim said:

I'd go with the .44mag (and I'm not a particular .44mag fan, much rather have a .41mag or .357mag). Yes, the .22 will probably get more use and be more practical. However, .22lr is everywhere, you won't have trouble finding something you want later. That .44mag has some character and isn't your run of the mill .44mag. It is a pretty gun (how often can you say that about a Ruger), and you probably won't run into another like it. Get the .44mag, and start saving again for a .22 soon.

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Yes, but I would think that gun would be better to look at than to shoot.

I have that revolver. Fun gun to shoot. Its a handful with full power loads. Load it down in the .44spl range and its nice. Its the only Bisley grip revolver I have but I got to say I like it a lot.