Ruger Bisley
Encyclopedia
The Ruger Bisley, manufactured by Sturm Ruger & Company
, is a 6-shot, single-action revolver. It comes in a variety of different finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.
, the Bisley features a down-turned grip inspired by the old #5 single action army grip made up for Elmer Keith
by gunsmith Harold Croft in 1929, although it is larger in size. This was in turn inspired by the classic 1894 Colt Bisley revolver, so named after the famous English shooting range at Bisley
which was the site of many notable shooting matches in the late 19th century. The Ruger Bisley is very popular for target shooting and hunting, and comes from the factory with adjustable sights, a 7" barrel, and rosewood grips.
The Ruger Bisley can also be readily identified by its factory engraved unfluted cylinder, and low hammer spur. It is currently manufactured in .44 Magnum
(RB-44W) and .45 Long Colt (RB-45W); however, it has also been manufactured previously in .22 Long Rifle
with a 6" barrel (RB-22AW), .32 H&R Magnum
, .357 Magnum
, and .41 Magnum.
The unique grip angle can also be found in two other models: the Bisley Vaquero, and the Bisley Hunter. The Bisley Vaquero is a fixed sight, short barrel (4", 5") version manufactured from 1993 to 2005. The Bisley Hunter comes in Stainless Steel, with Black Laminate grips, a 7" barrel and factory rings for mounting a scope. After market grips for one Bisley will fit the others.
The Ruger Bisley has also become a popular platform for conversion to even larger calibers by custom gunsmiths such as Gary Reeder, John Linebaugh
, and Hamilton Bowen.
Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated is a Southport, Connecticut-based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. Sturm, Ruger produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, full-automatic, and single-shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action...
, is a 6-shot, single-action revolver. It comes in a variety of different finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.
Overview
In the mid-1980s Ruger introduced their Bisley line of Single Action revolvers. Using the same frame as the Super BlackhawkRuger Blackhawk
The Ruger Blackhawk is a 6-shot or 8-shot, single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.-History:In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television...
, the Bisley features a down-turned grip inspired by the old #5 single action army grip made up for Elmer Keith
Elmer Keith
Elmer Keith was an Idaho rancher, firearms enthusiast, and author. Keith was instrumental in the development of the first magnum revolver cartridge, the .357 Magnum, as well as the later .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum cartridges.-Personality and life:Keith's trademarks were his cigars, his ten-gallon...
by gunsmith Harold Croft in 1929, although it is larger in size. This was in turn inspired by the classic 1894 Colt Bisley revolver, so named after the famous English shooting range at Bisley
Bisley, Surrey
Bisley is a large village in Surrey, England, which is notable for rifle shooting. Bisley's immediate neighbours are West End, Chobham and Knaphill.- History :...
which was the site of many notable shooting matches in the late 19th century. The Ruger Bisley is very popular for target shooting and hunting, and comes from the factory with adjustable sights, a 7" barrel, and rosewood grips.
The Ruger Bisley can also be readily identified by its factory engraved unfluted cylinder, and low hammer spur. It is currently manufactured in .44 Magnum
.44 Magnum
The .44 Remington Magnum, or simply .44 Magnum, is a large-bore cartridge originally designed for revolvers. After introduction, it was quickly adopted for carbines and rifles...
(RB-44W) and .45 Long Colt (RB-45W); however, it has also been manufactured previously in .22 Long Rifle
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
with a 6" barrel (RB-22AW), .32 H&R Magnum
.32 H&R Magnum
The .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge...
, .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
, and .41 Magnum.
The unique grip angle can also be found in two other models: the Bisley Vaquero, and the Bisley Hunter. The Bisley Vaquero is a fixed sight, short barrel (4", 5") version manufactured from 1993 to 2005. The Bisley Hunter comes in Stainless Steel, with Black Laminate grips, a 7" barrel and factory rings for mounting a scope. After market grips for one Bisley will fit the others.
The Ruger Bisley has also become a popular platform for conversion to even larger calibers by custom gunsmiths such as Gary Reeder, John Linebaugh
John Linebaugh
John Linebaugh is an American gunsmith who has gained international renown for creating custom firearms. He is inventor of the .500 Linebaugh caliber — the first successful .50 caliber revolver which he created in 1986...
, and Hamilton Bowen.
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle.22 Long RifleThe .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
- .32 H&R Magnum.32 H&R MagnumThe .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge...
- .357 Magnum.357 MagnumThe .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
/.38 Special.38 SpecialThe .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round... - .41 Magnum
- .44 Magnum.44 MagnumThe .44 Remington Magnum, or simply .44 Magnum, is a large-bore cartridge originally designed for revolvers. After introduction, it was quickly adopted for carbines and rifles...
/.44 Special.44 SpecialThe .44 Special or .44 S&W Special is a smokeless powder center fire metallic cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1907 as the standard chambering for their New Century revolver, introduced in 1908.-Development history:... - .45 Colt.45 ColtThe .45 Colt cartridge is a handgun cartridge dating to 1872. It began as a black powder revolver round developed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, but is offered as a magnum level handgun hunting round in modern usage. This cartridge was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and served as the...
See also
- Ruger Bisley Vaquero
- Ruger BlackhawkRuger BlackhawkThe Ruger Blackhawk is a 6-shot or 8-shot, single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.-History:In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television...
- Ruger New Model Single Six
- Ruger RedhawkRuger RedhawkThe Ruger Redhawk is a double/single action large frame revolver that was first introduced in 1979 by Sturm, Ruger & Company. Made from high grade steel, it is available with either a blued or stainless steel finish. The Redhawk is reinforced to handle extra stress, making it very popular for use...
- Ruger Security SixRuger Security SixThe Ruger Security Six and its variants, the Service Six and Speed Six are a product line of double action revolvers introduced in 1971 and manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company...
- Ruger Service Six
- Ruger Speed Six
- Ruger Super Blackhawk
- Ruger Super Redhawk