Bird's Head as Main Match Guns?

[FloraBama Kid]

I'm looking to get a backup set of revolvers this summer and I'm hung choosing between Ruger BH 4 5/8" or 1875 Remmies 5 1/2" both in 45LC.

Is anyone shooting BHs as your main match guns? And how do ya like em?

The RBH with 4 5/8" bbl are no longer produced but I have found a source for a pair. I just need a little "nudge" before putting my money down.

[Jax Orebetter]

Howdy Kid!!

I have a pair of the 4 5/8 BH in 45 and I LOVE them!! Have you handled them? I have found when people try mine it is either love or hate. Not many on the middle ground. I will have to say that most that have tried them, like them though.

My wife also has the BH in 32 H&R. She likes hers, too.

(nudge nudge)

[FloraBama Kid]

Howdy Jax,
No I haven't found one locally that I could handle. A local dealer has the .32 H&R but it is a smaller frame than the .45LC.

Good to hear you like yours so well.. Thanks.

[john boy]

Kid, except for my Remmies, BH's are the only revolvers that I own and shoot.  A pair of RVBH-stainless (4 5/8's) and a pair of Cimmaron Thunders ... all in 45 

Like em?  You bet I do.  Why?  They fit my hand and balance better for me.  Would recommend that you shoot some BH's if you can before you buy.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Kid,
I also recommend you shoot a BirdsHead before you buy. I bought a pair with the shorter barrels before I shot them. I shoot FC Duelist. With the BP loads I use, the grip was beating on the heel of my hand enough to tell me I could not use them for a whole match without developing a bruise.  I switched to Ruger Bisley Vaqueros that fit my hand much better.

I also have a brace of 7 1/2" 1875 Remingtons, which fit my hands well also.

Slim

[Shiloh Sharpie]

I have a Birdshead and would not use it for a regular match gun.  Mine is .45 Colt and is a bit too snappy with "real" loads to be fun.  I vastly prefer the Ruger Bisley's I use.  Now they are pleasant guns to shoot!  Best to try them out and decide.  I know they are good to look at, but.......

[Lineas A. Puffbuster]

I've used a pair of SS 4 5/8" BHs in .38 for over a year now as my main match guns.  So has my Bride . . . although she just sold hers last week as she picked up a pair of custom ERs at EOT.

I've got fairly large hands, but it was always difficult to pick up a proper master grip on a Ruger "plow handle" . . . the BHs makes it a lot easier.  I never shot 'em with the factory grips, tho . . . ordered "gunfighter"-width grips from Get A Grip and have been real happy with 'em.

They do have their little eccentricities, though.  I shot my first match last week in Frontier Cartridge (what a hoot!) . . . and discovered that my "usual" master grip was fairly loose.  The stouter black powder loads caused the gun to really "roll" in my hand.  Took me three stages to really get the hang of a tighter grip (then cleaned and won the last three stages agin all them smokeyless wimps!  ).

I am in the process of switching over to a pair of 4 5/8" Blackhawks (they're at Traditional Effects right now getting "actioned") as my main match guns.  I don't seem to have the same grip issues with them as I did with the Vaqueros. 

An' them ERs that my Bride bought are REAL purty . . .

[Camille Eonich]

I've been shooting a pair of Birdsheads in .45 for the past year and a half and I love  them.  Many people don't like to shoot them though and I have even heard them called flinch monsters.


Definitely try them before you buy them.

[Big Hext Finnigan]

The interesting thing to me is the "bird's head" and the "thunderer" grips feel completely different. 
I bought a pair of Thunderers for the kid to shoot.  I didn't think I'd like them much, but he wanted them.. now seems like I try to steal them for myself pretty often.  They handle and shoot very well.  They are in 357, so I don't know what heavier recoil would do to my opinion.
On a related note, I have fired the Ruger BH a time or two.. The grip was comfortable, but felt just a bit "out of control" and if my hand was wet, I would have hesitated to shoot the gun.  Perhaps a checkered grip would have changed that.

Ain't it great to have a bunch of choices!
Adios,

[FloraBama Kid]

I got my hands on a pair of RV BH this past week at a gun show. I had them along sidea RV Bisley and although my hands are on the small side; the Bisley felt very good compaired to the BH.

Think I'll take the good advice here and not make a decision until I've had a chance to shoot the BH. I'm gonna shoot a Bisley also