When it comes to single-action revolvers, there’s seldom a more accurate and ergonomic choice than those designed around the Bisley grip. While the common understanding is that this is a relatively unique and specialized design, perhaps a bit modern in style points, it dates back to the earlier years of the Colt SAA. Not only was this grip style offered by Colt from the factory, but it also eventually migrated to the revolvers of other firms and still exists today on top-shelf wheelguns.
A GRIP ON HISTORY
When shooters think of the Bisley grip style today, they usually do so from the point of view that it manages recoil better than the old “hogleg” or “plow handle” type found on the Colt Single Action army, its replicas and descendants, such as the Ruger Blackhawk. The lineage of the Colt SAA is present in almost all modern revolvers … as are some of its short-comings.
The original grip style of the Colt goes back to the 1840s, and the initial designs surrounding what we now shorthand as the 1851
