Bird's head grip

[potmetal]

I was looking at a single action revolver in .357 at the gun store today. It's a Taylor's model, I think I saw the Uberti name on it. It's a 4.75" barrel with a bird's head grip.
I've never owned or shot a revolver with that grip before. Handling it, I wasn't sure how steady the grip would be under 357 recoil. It felt like my hand wanted to slip up over the back of the grip.
I was just wondering what any of you that own and shoot a gun like this felt about it. What are it's advantages/faults, do you recommend it or should I just look for a standard plow handle?

 

[ontarget]

I have a 3.5 inch 45 Colt with the BH grip.
It's not bad at all, not the same as a plow handle by any means, but still very comfortable.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The grip on most single action revolvers of old were designed to roll on your hand from recoil so that your thumb is closer to the hammer making cocking it for a followup shot easier. Additionally, the roll makes the felt recoil less IMO.

 

[Reinz]

I have a Cimarron 45 Colt 3.5 inch barrel, 2 Cimarron small frame P models in 357, and 4 Ruger original Vaqueros in 357.

I have plow handles and Bisleys as well.

I’m probably not the guy to ask for opinions because I can shoot all three styles equally well/poorly. However, I have had a lot of curious shooters try my Bisleys and Birdsheads. I can’t recall a single person that liked them enough to buy one after comparing to the plow handles.

Thus, unless you’re the kind of guy that can shoot most anything, I suggest that you find a way to try before you buy.

Ruger Birdheads

 

[JeffG]

I have a Vaquero birdshead in 44 mag with a 3.75 barrel. It's pretty good all the way up to full house loads. It's not like you might lose your grip or anything; it rolls a little.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AEhXGSv3sTU

 

[Pat Riot]

I owned an original Ruger Vaquero Birdshead in .45 Colt. I was so excited to get that gun as Ruger had just discontinued that model. I loved it until I shot it. It just didn’t feel right in my hands. I wanted to like that gun but I just couldn’t. I sold it. I have owned several Vaqueros and New Vaqueros. It wasn’t like I had no experience with the Ruger SA’s.
Some people like them. Some don’t. If you can find a way to test fire one that would be your best bet.

 

[RugerSAFan]

I have a birdshead new model 45 colt; I shoot it better than my FA 97!

 

[Tallball]

I had the same question. My solution was to buy a Heritage Rough Rider for $150 or something. It had a 3.5" barrel and bird's head grips.

Those grips looked cool, but they didn't fit my hands worth squat. My accuracy with it was horrible.

Heritage sells grips and grip frames inexpensively, so I converted it to a plow handle. I can shoot it just fine now.

I'm glad I did it the cheap way. I was very tempted to throw down the money for a centerfire that I wouldn't have liked.

Heritage Rough Rider 22lr New

• Tallball
• Jul 27, 2021

 

[Coyote3855]

I once owned a Cimarron .45 Colt, birdshead grip with the hump at the top similar to the old Colt Lightnings. I liked shooting that one. The birds head grips without that hump just don't look right. I've never shot one though. Ruger Wrangler with the 3.75 inch barrel has been calling to me, but I would like to switch out the birds head for a plow handle. Tallball has the right idea with his Heritage.

 

[doubleh]

I did the same as Tallball buying a rough rider to try. I do better with the plow handle grip. I kept the RR as is because I like the look and feel even if it does make me a little worse shot. I have no interest in owing a centerfire version after the RR try-out.

 

[Conelrad]

New Vaquero in .45ACP, with custom 'fat' grips. Fits me perfectly, as I just can't make a plowhandle work right.

BTW, it appears the grips for the Wrangler are the same fit as those for the Vaquero as I have swapped some around.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My buddy Bob has relatively small hands and finds the size and contours of the humped birds head on his .38 Special very comfortable:



The thing is, there's a school of thought which says that hump was put there on the 1877 to better manage heavy DA trigger manipulation. Shooting a SAA one handed is easier without the hump -- your thumb is in a better position to cock the hammer for followup shots. Othias makes a pretty good case for this -- go to the 17 minute mark of this video:



I used to have a Webley MkI, which had a birdshead with a hump. Interestingly, later Marks deleted the hump in favor of a smooth curve -- FWIW I found the MkI grip more comfortable than the MkII and later.
My same friend Bob owns a MkII so I've shot both.



While I much prefer the look of the humped birdshead, on a SAA-type revolver the curved back works better in my hands. The only advantage to the birdshead other than style is a bit better concealability IMO.

FWIW, I also like the standard plow handle and Ruger's version of the Bisley grip (actually a Keith No.5). That's just me, big hands and lousy technique.

 

[Riomouse911]

I like the Birdshead grip, but mine is in .22 (Wrangler) with minimal recoil. Once I added grips that fit me it sits in the hand very nicely, but I can’t honestly say how a harder-recoiling handgun behaves compared to this little rimfire.



The replica SAA Birdsheads sure do look great, I think you will really like it when you get one. Let us know how it goes.

Stay safe.

 

[tazbigdog]

I have one in a .45LC. Shoots great from the crossdraw holster. Very manageable.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just remember, not all Birdshead grip frames are created equal. The Ruger has less of a bend and shorter lines. The Colt replicas are very different as shown in the pictures in this thread. You may like one but not the other.

 

[TTv2]

I like Birdshead grips, but they're usually only on revolvers with shorter barrels. For high pressure magnums I'd rather have the longer barrel. .45 Colt... I'd go for the BH in a heartbeat.

 

[Armybrat]

Only recently did I warm up to the birdshead grip style and discovered they are very comfortable to shoot.

 

[rust collector]

I like the look and feel of a birds head grip on a light gun with a relatively short barrel. I have found that the square butt or plow type handle works better for controlling or countering the effect of a long or heavy barrel. I have a Wrangler bird's head and the Heritage Rough Rider in bird's head configuration and enjoy shooting them, but the good old plow handle works better for me when there is more weight forward.

 

[jstert]

I owned an original Ruger Vaquero Birdshead in .45 Colt. I was so excited to get that gun as Ruger had just discontinued that model. I loved it until I shot it. It just didn’t feel right in my hands. I wanted to like that gun but I just couldn’t. I sold it. I have owned several Vaqueros and New Vaqueros. It wasn’t like I had no experience with the Ruger SA’s.
Some people like them. Some don’t. If you can find a way to test fire one that would be your best bet.

my completely exact same experience but in 45acp. really a shame. beware.

my only birdshead grip is now a 3.75” 22lr ruger wrangler, no recoil makes the bh grip ok. now that ruger offers its 3.75” wrangler in a plowhandle grip the bh wranger may say goodbye.

 

[NeroM]

Carry this birdshead short barrel Ruger Vaquero in my fly fishing tackle bag, caliber is 45 Colt - it does wear a set of Chigs grips. Primarily shoot 250 gr pentagram hollow point bullets in it at around 950 fps. I have fairly large hands, the grip feels pretty good and is comfortable to shoot. The hammer is wide and a little lower, easy to thumb. Seems almost radar guided at 15 steps with on edge clay birds. Locally, there are a number of bush lined streams running among farm lands, lots of access points by DS motorcycle [or bicycle when i am not lazy]. My tackle bag is a repurposed canvas handbag that my partner didn't seem to any longer fancy - just right size for my gear and a nice outer pocket i can slip the birdshead into. Gun might be a little heavier than i might prefer- however it shoots well.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I’ve had several but only one now. That would be this Cimarron Uberti Colt .45. I like them just fine.

I bought this one to have the barrel cut to 3”. I couldn’t talk myself into doing so. Since taking this photo I have put the ejector rod & housing back on.

 

[Dain Bramage]

I have a birdshead grip on a 3.75" Ruger Single Seven. I find it hard to get a consistent grip when drawing. I feel like I'm having to adjust the position to get it "just right".

I like the plow handle grip on my 5.5" Single Seven better and that gun is a joy to shoot. I like that style up to about .357 magnum revolvers. For boomers, I REALLY like Ruger's take on the Bisley grip.

 

[balin]

I have a Ruger Vaquero birdshead in .44 mag. I had always wanted one. After shooting it with magnums I am sure it will be the last birdshead I but. I find it cams in my nand with full loads. With specials it is a fine shooter.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Did somebody say Bird's Head grip?

44-40 Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army 2nd Model with the 'Skull Crusher' grip. Probably made sometime between 1881 - 1883.






Not really a true birds head because the 'Skull Crusher' part of the grip is really an extension of the grip frame.






With a full charge of Black Powder in a 44-40 case, recoil is stout, but not unmanageable.






The hammer is still down, so this photo was probably taken while the gun was still recoiling. As can be seen, I wrap my pinky around the bottom 'Skull Crusher" portion of the grip.




P.S. Sorry for the photos not being visible at first. I was having a problem with my internet connection.

 

[rust collector]

Duplicate post deleted, but we can't see your pics, DJ.