I got my second revolver

[Jakkar]

Picked up another revolver to keep the 642 company. I can't really find a lot of info about this one. NIB 5.5 inch stainless in .357 magnum. The test casing is dated February of 2007. Very nice gun with the gray wood grips.

A pic of my new Bisley Model.

 

[BigBlock]

Purdey. I'm hoping to get a similar model in .44 mag in a few days....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Very nice, thanks for sharing the picture...

 

[Cosmoline]

Very, very nice one.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_Stainless_Bisley.htm

 

[JimmerJammerMrK]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[campbell]

Fantastic. Another good review on handloads.com. Ruger's done runs of these stainless Bisleys for a few years now for Acusport. They've done runs in .45 Colt, .44 mag, .41 mag, and .357. I've got one of the more recent .45 Colts that comes with an additional cylinder in .45 ACP.

An easy drop in upgrade is a Belt Mountain base pin along with a beefed up spring for your base pin latch from Wolff. I don't have any .357 SA's from Ruger, but as mentioned in that Handloads.com review, the .45's are often a bit tight in the cylinder throats. If that ends up being the case with yours, there's a longtime poster "cas" on the levergun and sixgunner forums who hand reams throats for 30 bucks. His site is http://www.cylindersmith.com/.

 

[Jim March]

The 357 cylinders on the large-frame guns tend to be better than the 45s. For reasons unknown.

If it's not clear yet: this is a 357Mag built on a 44Mag-grade frame. And with a grip well designed for big recoil - as in 44Mag or beyond. The Ruger Bisley grip is what John Linebaugh and others use for true handcannons - check out:

http://www.customsixguns.com

That doesn't mean your combination isn't a good idea. It can tame the gnarliest wild-child DoubleTap or BuffaloBore loads into something a newbie shooter can enjoy. It's also a GREAT gun to learn handloading on as it's more forgiving than most of minor overcharges - you can blow one up, but you have to get really stupid to do so .

Assuming this gun shoots well now, if you want to "grow past" the 357 you can upgrade the bejeezus out of this gun fairly cheap, swapping the barrel and reaming the cylinder to whatever you want. Or if you get into handloading, get a second cylinder in 357Mag and have it modified to either 356GNR (41Mag shell necked down to 357) or 38/44Bain&Davis (44mag shell necked down to 357). Bigger case volume means less pressure to get the same work done - or if you bring pressure back up to 357Mag levels these allow you to shoot big power through your standard 357 barrel, no modifications. Drop your original cylinder in any time you want to shoot regular 357Mag. The costs to mod the gun are lower but you'll have to pay about $100 for the special dies for these non-factory calibers.

 

[Jakkar]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I am going to take it the range tonight. I only hope it shoots as well as it looks.

 

[2ndamd]

Nice picture and great gun!

Jim March is full of good info on the possibilities.

 

[Jakkar]

Took it to the range tonight. I only put 38 special through it since that is what I had. Very easy gun to handle but I have to get used to the grip. I have a bit of trouble reaching back for the trigger when I try to shoot two handed. I should be able to get it figured out there. Proved to be very accurate at 20 yards.

I also took some time to check out the consignment cabinet when I got to the range. Someone had dropped off a large set of nice revolvers that showed very little use. I should have bought the S&W 686 (looked to be a 8" barrel) and 629 as well but I just picked up this Colt King Cobra. In very, very good shape and a great shooter. I guess I really needed another revolver.