Talk:Ruger Bisley

Request for deletion
The Bisley is not a firearm model, but the name for a grip variant, which is found in various other ruger models like the blackhawk and vaquero. --Goldenbirdman (talk) 00:50, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

This reason for deletion is an oversimplification on several levels. The Ruger Bisley model revolvers, while clearly derived from the specific models on which they are based -- as were the Bisley models made by Colt and other single-action revolver manufacturers dating back to the late 1800's -- have sufficient ergonomically-oriented modifications to the basic form to qualify them as separate though closely related models on their own.

Bisley, in Surrey, England, is the location of high-profile target-shooting competitions going back to Victorian times. Starting in the last part of the 1800's, as typified by the Colt Bisley revolvers that were made from 1894-1915, handguns that had been designed for general field use gradually became so highly modified for target use in these competitions that they became known as standalone variant models themselves.

The Ruger Bisley models share a number of elements that parallel the factory modifications that Colt made to its ubiquitous Single Action Army revolver in order to make it more competitive in the annual Bisley target shooting trials.

These include not just the different gripstock shape that is mentioned in the original comment here -- which from a functional standpoint is a fairly significant variation just by itself, incorporating a different grip angle and positioning the hand noticeably higher on the grip frame. This does not facilitate rapid-fire followup shots the way the original plow-shaped grip handle and frame do, but it places the hand more in line with the barrel recoil from each fired round in order to reduce muzzle flip and make the point of aim more consistent and accurate.

The original grip frame and stocks as designed are specifically designed to let the gun roll up in the hand on recoil to facilitate recocking; the modified Bisley grip frame and stocks are designed to prevent this from happening instead. Accordingly, the curve of the revolver's cocking/firing hammer on a Bisley model is changed and lowered so that it is not necessary to shift the hand position upwards in order to recock the revolver after each shot. Its throw is shortened and its surface is both smoothed and widened compared to the original hammer in order to make it easier and more comfortable to use under target conditions.

The top strap portion of the frame above the cylinder on a Bisley model revolver is lower and flatter than it is on a standard field grade model. This modification to the top frame greatly improves the sight picture for target shooting by lowering the top of the revolver relative to the axis of the bore, since the extra strength of a thicker top strap is not needed to accommodate the lower-powered cartridges typically used in target shooting.

In addition, the trigger on a Bisley model revolver is also smoothed and widened compared to the original trigger of a field model. The trigger pull is both shortened and lightened to aid in accurate target shooting (such a so-called "hair trigger" setup would be dangerous on a revolver subject to rough handling under stressful conditions.)

Bisley model revolvers also figure fully adjustable rear sights and a front sight blade optimized for accurate target shooting, which would be too delicate and easily knocked out of line to be practical on revolver intended for everyday use in the field.

Taken together, these modifications constitute significantly greater structural and functional modifications to the original form and function of a revolver that was originally designed for military or hunting use in the field than simply hanging a differently-shaped grip handle on an otherwise unchanged gun.

That's why original manufacturers such as Colt considered the revolvers that were factory modified to optimize them for the Bisley target shooting competitions to be distinct models related to but separate from their parent models. And that's why Ruger, members of the shooting press, and users of their products all consider the revolvers that they make incorporating these classic Bisley modifications to be separate models, too.

Em Loutre (talk) 21:28, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

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