BFR vs. FA revolvers

[GL49]

I''ve been looking for a 475 Linebaugh revolver, but the price of the FA is out of reach right now. The BFR is affordable, but I have never held one or seen one. I own a FA 454, I'm looking for opinions, comments, etc. of FA vs. the BFR. If I do decide on a BFR, I would replace the factory rubber grips with wood grips, how do the grip frames compare? Any quality or tolerance issues with the less expensive revolver? Someone who has owned both, please comment. Thanks

[Lloyd Smale]

44man ill stay out of this if you will ;)

[Whitworth]

I''ve been looking for a 475 Linebaugh revolver, but the price of the FA is out of reach right now. The BFR is affordable, but I have never held one or seen one. I own a FA 454, I'm looking for opinions, comments, etc. of FA vs. the BFR. If I do decide on a BFR, I would replace the factory rubber grips with wood grips, how do the grip frames compare? Any quality or tolerance issues with the less expensive revolver? Someone who has owned both, please comment. Thanks

I personally think the BFR offers the most bang-for-the-buck of any big-bore revolver on the market. They are very strong, and every one I have shot has been accurate.

Grip frame is essentially Ruger plow handle. I prefer the Bisley, and the FA grip frame is Bisley-esque. Hard to beat the BFR for the money. They're a little rough out of the box, but that is easy to address. My .500 JRH BFR shoots lights out. I have never owned a more accurate revolver.

44man will be along soon and tell us how the plow handle is the superior grip frame......:bigsmyl2::kidding:

[44MAG#1]

I know that this is going to go badly. How many thinks it will go badly.
This will be a train wreck.

[Whistler]

The Ruger Super Blackhawk grips fit the BFR, but are a bit on the small side. If you could get them oversized and fit them yourself it would be fine.

I got the Paul Ferro wood grips and the factory rubber, but it was not until I put the SBH grips on that I was able to shoot the gun with pleasure. The .444 Marlin would beat me up, but with the SBH grips it rolls just like a SA revolver should.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6738/20110417112644.jpg

[Whitworth]

I know that this is going to go badly. How many thinks it will go badly.
This will be a train wreck.

It doesn't have to......

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/MarkoR/P1000585.jpg

[btroj]

I do not own either. Have never shot either. I can only say this- if the BFR is what fits your budget then get it. If you really "need" the FA then save up for one.
I bet the BFR at the lower price will be capable of doing anything you want done. The price difference may well be enough to make this decision for you.

[44man]

44man ill stay out of this if you will ;)
I can't my friend! :mrgreen:
I would leave the rubber grips on and not go slippery. Forget "roll" with the heavy recoil, get a grip, hold it tight and let the gun raise your arms. Roll can cut your finger in the trigger guard and makes a great head splitter.
I have to tell you about my friend, Whitworth. He loves the BFR grips and shoots them with ease. I know he can shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. I watch him do amazing things but I have no luck with the Bisley thing! He loves my guns and his BFR yet the Bisley record is cracked---Bisley, Bisley, Bisley, over and over! [smilie=w:
A friend has a good shooting .475 Freedom with the beauty grips. It pounded both of us. He went home and ordered the rubber grips.
The .475 can be nasty. One friend came to shoot mine from sandbags. He split his forehead wide open and gave himself a huge shiner. And that was with the rubber grips. He might have killed himself with slippery grips.
Roll also throws shots in a long vertical string and overshoots everything.

[44MAG#1]

Whitworth:
Just sit back and watch. I t will turn out to be a train wreck for sure.

[Whitworth]

I can't my friend! :mrgreen:
I would leave the rubber grips on and not go slippery. Forget "roll" with the heavy recoil, get a grip, hold it tight and let the gun raise your arms. Roll can cut your finger in the trigger guard and makes a great head splitter.
I have to tell you about my friend, Whitworth. He loves the BFR grips and shoots them with ease. I know he can shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. I watch him do amazing things but I have no luck with the Bisley thing! He loves my guns and his BFR yet the Bisley record is cracked---Bisley, Bisley, Bisley, over and over! [smilie=w:
A friend has a good shooting .475 Freedom with the beauty grips. It pounded both of us. He went home and ordered the rubber grips.
The .475 can be nasty. One friend came to shoot mine from sandbags. He split his forehead wide open and gave himself a huge shiner. And that was with the rubber grips. He might have killed himself with slippery grips.
Roll also throws shots in a long vertical string and overshoots everything.

I don't "love" the BFR grip frame. I would be thrilled if Magnum Research offered a Bisley-type grip frame. For me (this is the key), the Bisley is easier to control under heavy recoil -- heavier recoil than the .475 which isn't so bad in my opinion.

[44man]

I don't "love" the BFR grip frame. I would be thrilled if Magnum Research offered a Bisley-type grip frame. For me (this is the key), the Bisley is easier to control under heavy recoil -- heavier recoil than the .475 which isn't so bad in my opinion.
We will never agree. That's OK. But you just shoot too good with the hog legs.
Everyone needs to understand that the rubber grips do alter the recoil over the wood panels, less roll and more inline push without Bisley force in the palm. Even good rubber grips on a Bisley changes hold and feel.
Admire and show off fancy, shiny grips but shoot ugly ones. There is only one screw holding the grips on. I have a bunch or Ruger wood panels in my drawer. I can flash them at people, but I don't shoot them.
Alter the hog leg towards the Bisley and also alter the Bisley towards the hog leg. That is what shoots.

[wiljen]

Truth of the matter is, when purchasing a car, you usually don't compare a Honda Accord to a Mercedes CL or the BMW 760. Truth is also that all three cars are perfectly capable of getting you from point A to point B.

The same is true with this comparison. FA guns are generally some of the best made, tightest tolerance guns on the market and the price reflects the same. BFRs are designed for the masses, don't have the tolerances of an FA in general but have provided a large number of us with perfectly acceptable service at a price point that is much more in the range a common person can afford.

Just as you will find some who say they would rather buy 4 Accords as have a single CL or 760 and others that say I'd rather have a single CL as 10 Accords, you'll find the same opinions floated on this.

For me the 45-70 BFR has been a spectacular performer consistently proving that I am the weak link in the chain by shooting groups I know are the limits of my capability with a handgun. For others, the FA has done likewise. And like everything else, both factories have made a few real duds over the course of their production runs and customer service stories vary as much as the opinions on the guns do.

I really like my BFR, but for me it was an easy call. FA doesnt make a 45-70 and I didn't have the $1900 to buy one if they had. The $749 I spent was well worth it to me.

Your mileage may vary.

[subsonic]

Get what you want, but the BFRs are not as cheap as they once were.... prices are nearing bottom-end FAs now. I know - I'm trying to find one!

[Whitworth]

Truth of the matter is, when purchasing a car, you usually don't compare a Honda Accord to a Mercedes CL or the BMW 760. Truth is also that all three cars are perfectly capable of getting you from point A to point B.

The same is true with this comparison. FA guns are generally some of the best made, tightest tolerance guns on the market and the price reflects the same. BFRs are designed for the masses, don't have the tolerances of an FA in general but have provided a large number of us with perfectly acceptable service at a price point that is much more in the range a common person can afford.

Just as you will find some who say they would rather buy 4 Accords as have a single CL or 760 and others that say I'd rather have a single CL as 10 Accords, you'll find the same opinions floated on this.

For me the 45-70 BFR has been a spectacular performer consistently proving that I am the weak link in the chain by shooting groups I know are the limits of my capability with a handgun. For others, the FA has done likewise. And like everything else, both factories have made a few real duds over the course of their production runs and customer service stories vary as much as the opinions on the guns do.

I really like my BFR, but for me it was an easy call. FA doesnt make a 45-70 and I didn't have the $1900 to buy one if they had. The $749 I spent was well worth it to me.

Your mileage may vary.

Don't quite agree with you analogy. The fit and finish may not be to the standards of the FA, but they certainly perform alongside them if not better. Plus, there are some advantages the BFR enjoys over the FA like a longer cylinder and the transfer bar system. I do prefer the way the FA looks and I like the grip frame a whole lot better, but I don't think it is twice the gun the BFR is even though it is twice the price. JMHO.

[wiljen]

I didn't say it was twice the gun. I said some people would tell you that. ;)

[wiljen]

Get what you want, but the BFRs are not as cheap as they once were.... prices are nearing bottom-end FAs now. I know - I'm trying to find one!

A quick search of the auction sites turned up several BFR with buy it nows between $800-900 new. The same search didn't turn up any New FA for under $1400. Not sure where you are shopping but either FAs are cheaper there or somebody jacked the price on the BFR on you.

[white eagle]

44 No wonder you dislike the Biz so much
O Whitworth has been singin its Praises so long
you grew tired of it :kidding:
but seriously grip frames are very personal thing it seems
I do like the Biz and would not hesitate to buy another :Fire:
I have not yet moved into the BFR but i will have one sooner or later

[Whitworth]

but seriously grip frames are very personal thing it seems


Yes they are! 44man is one of the 2% of big bore revolver shooters who prefers the plow handle to the Bisley and he NEVER fails to remind anyone who will listen -- or anyone who doesn't want to listen.......:kidding:

[Lloyd Smale]

since i dont have to stay out of it ill side with witworth. I would just as soon be smacked in the head with a hammer as shoot a 475 without a bisley grip frame and especially one with rubber grips on it. They tear skin off my hands with big recoiling guns. i agree that its not fair to compare them to FA guns as they cost half what one cost. A fairer comparison is to compare one to a ruger which there closer in price to. There a bit to big and blocky for me and i dont care for that grip frame like i said so ill pass on them but guys who have them like em and thats all that counts.

[Whitworth]

Amen Lloyd!

[44man]

since i dont have to stay out of it ill side with witworth. I would just as soon be smacked in the head with a hammer as shoot a 475 without a bisley grip frame and especially one with rubber grips on it. They tear skin off my hands with big recoiling guns. i agree that its not fair to compare them to FA guns as they cost half what one cost. A fairer comparison is to compare one to a ruger which there closer in price to. There a bit to big and blocky for me and i dont care for that grip frame like i said so ill pass on them but guys who have them like em and thats all that counts.
There you have it. I will NEVER say one grip is better then another for anyone until YOU shoot it enough. I refuse to push a grip, I only state why I don't like one over another.
It can be a big mistake to buy a Bisley and also one to buy any other grip until you know for yourself.
See, the big thing about the Bisley is those that like it will push it on everyone else. I refuse! :popcorn:

[subsonic]

A quick search of the auction sites turned up several BFR with buy it nows between $800-900 new. The same search didn't turn up any New FA for under $1400. Not sure where you are shopping but either FAs are cheaper there or somebody jacked the price on the BFR on you.

I have seen FAs in the $1200 range used locally and BFRs are about $900 locally.

It's still a far cry from the $5-600 that you could get BFRs for just over a year ago!
I don't think FAs have gone up as much as the BFRs have.

[subsonic]

In the Bisley vs SBH type grip frame, I've shot the same .44 Mag load in both and prefer the Bisley. I have also shot Ruger-level .45 Colts in my own Bisley and would rather shoot that than a much "lighter" load in .44 Mag in a SBH. I am looking for the right deal on a BFR now, so as a guy who "prefers Bisleys", I'll chime in when I figure out how to sell my right leg on ebay and buy a BFR.

[ktw]

I really like my BFR, but for me it was an easy call. FA doesnt make a 45-70 and I didn't have the $1900 to buy one if they had. The $749 I spent was well worth it to me.

Your mileage may vary.

I like this summary.

My version of it goes: BFR didn't make a small frame, 45 Colt. I considered sending out a Ruger Blackhawk to get worked over into what I wanted but in the end it was cheaper and faster just to buy a Freedom Arms 97.

-ktw

[subsonic]

There were small frame 5 shot .45 Colt +Ps on the old DM frame.

[subsonic]

[smilie=1::popcorn:So far this thread has been entirely too civil.

[Whitworth]

There you have it. I will NEVER say one grip is better then another for anyone until YOU shoot it enough. I refuse to push a grip, I only state why I don't like one over another.
It can be a big mistake to buy a Bisley and also one to buy any other grip until you know for yourself.
See, the big thing about the Bisley is those that like it will push it on everyone else. I refuse! :popcorn:

LOL! I have to call BS as you ALWAYS push the plow handle and denigrate the Bisley!

:veryconfu

[white eagle]

I concur

[357 Voodoo]

[smilie=1::popcorn:So far this thread has been entirely too civil.


shhhhhh not to loud:not listening:

[btroj]

I prefer brunettes

[DragoonDrake]

I like red-heads.

[c.r.]

I like red-heads.

I'm not picky, i just like them to have a heart beat.

[DragoonDrake]

That is bad C.R.

[Heavy lead]

I have a .475BFR I struggled with, until I installed a Bisley grip on it, simply wonderful.
Now had I to do it all over again I would hesitate on changing the grip, since then I've aquired 4 sets of Herrett's grips for the SBH's I have, these grips make them shootable, actually very shootable for myself.
Like Lloyd I cannot tolerate the rubber grips on these, but the Herrett's wood grips are terrific.
But like many have said, grips are like women, beer, trucks and tractors, different strokes for different folks.

[GL49]

357 Voodoo, don't do that again. I'm still cleaning the coffee off my computer screen and out of my printer. Ever had a swallow come back up and out your nose? My wife couldn't figure why coffee everywhere was so doggone funny.

[Lloyd Smale]

shop around and you can surely close the price gap. A couple years back i picked up a 4 5/8s field grade 454 with premier grips and sights for 800 bucks that was about like new. No doubt a bargin but ive seen others for a grand. As a matter of fact I sold a 7.5 field 454 for a grand just before i bought that one. Now comparing an 800 dollar bfr to a 1800 dollar fa might leave some gun buyers asking why. But when you compare a 1000 dollar FA to an 800 dollar bfr id bet even an inexperienced handgun guy could tell you from a few minutes of looking and playing that it was 200 dollars well spent.

[Ed K]

Sure, a 1000 dollar 454 or 50AE but this thread is about 475s...

[bobthenailer]

I have bought all of my FA revolvers used the first one about 15 years ago ! 2 from friends and another from a gun shop! all were aroud the $1000.00 range . the last one about 5 years ago was a 6 inch field grade in 454 casull . 2 port magnaport , jewelled & polished hammer & trigger , express sights and factory black ebony grips for under $900.00 . I do consider it a real bargin !!!!

[Whitworth]

I have bought all of my FA revolvers used the first one about 15 years ago ! 2 from friends and another from a gun shop! all were aroud the $1000.00 range . the last one about 5 years ago was a 6 inch field grade in 454 casull . 2 port magnaport , jewelled & polished hammer & trigger , express sights and factory black ebony grips for under $900.00 . I do consider it a real bargin !!!!

Most definitely!

[subsonic]

I have a .475BFR I struggled with, until I installed a Bisley grip on it, simply wonderful.
Now had I to do it all over again I would hesitate on changing the grip, since then I've aquired 4 sets of Herrett's grips for the SBH's I have, these grips make them shootable, actually very shootable for myself.
Like Lloyd I cannot tolerate the rubber grips on these, but the Herrett's wood grips are terrific.
But like many have said, grips are like women, beer, trucks and tractors, different strokes for different folks.

Is your 475 a DM or JT serial number?

Pics?

[Whitworth]

BFR uses Badger barrels exclusively and they feature a 1:15 twist rate. I never measured the cylinder gap of my BFR, and probably won't. It is capable of accuracy far greater than my ability and has shot a 3-shot group at 50-yards of 1/4-inch in the hands of 44man.

FA takes pride in their tight tollerances, but I am not sure that in a field environment where the revolver will get exposed to dirt and the elements, that I would want such tight tollerances. But, that's just me.

I'm not a fan of the aluminum front site on the BFR as it lloks cheap to me, even though it works well. The finish is well, stainless steel -- both the FA and the BFR are stainless.

Are BFRs perfect? Nope, but they can't be beat for the money. There are a few things that I think need addressing, but they make for a great foundation. I also like that they come in a nice soft case, with a scope base, and two front sights (one standard and one taller).

[Ed K]

I have bought all of my FA revolvers used ... all were aroud the $1000.00 range .

How many 475s?

[44man]

Could someone list the differences in qualities that set these two makers apart? Quality of barrels, rifling?
cylinder gap, cylinder/bore alignment?
spec's & tolerances?
sights?
Qualities that make it accurate, or cosmetic fit & finish.
I measured 3 BFR .475's. Grooves were all exactly .475". Throats were all .4765". Gaps are .002".
The 2, 45-70's have .458" Grooves, .4592" throats and .002" gaps.
The .500 JRH was perfect but I never wrote down the figures.
Of the 7 BFR's I have shot, all will break the 1" barrier at 100 yards, sometimes less. I have done 3/4" for 5 shots. And that is with a variety of cast boolits using an Ultra Dot.
Fit is perfect for a revolver, just exactly what it should be.
After thousands of rounds from mine, if I clean the carbon from the forcing cone, it is still shiny. Zero off side wear which means alignment can't be better.
Need you look farther from the most perfect revolver ever made or do you like "PRETTY?"
So far, Magnum Research has shown zero tolerance, nothing but perfect. On top of that, rates of twist are perfect. Bores are so good, cast can be shot with no break in.

[Lloyd Smale]

bought my 475 premier for 1200 bucks like new. Yes the 475s do cost a bit more but if you shop piatiently deals can be found. QUOTE=Ed K;1326014]Sure, a 1000 dollar 454 or 50AE but this thread is about 475s...[/QUOTE]

[Whistler]

The aluminum front sights for the BFR's are c r a p. Good thing they are cheap. Buy three or four of them and keep them handy if you buy the BFR.

[44man]

The aluminum front sights for the BFR's are c r a p. Good thing they are cheap. Buy three or four of them and keep them handy if you buy the BFR.
They are Ruger sights and I won too many IHMSA shoots with Rugers to complain. They shoot good. I would say they are very well made and it was always the Ruger rear sight that was the sticky point. I needed to keep a box of adjustment screws handy.

[Whistler]

The main problem is that they are made out of aluminum. They are great out of the box, but if so much as the wind blows they get worn round and the sharp edge is gone forever.

Do you know what the Ruger item number is for that front sight? It would make searching for alternatives so much easier.
My Super Red Hawk and the BFR both have Bowen Classic Arms rear sight. A major improvement!

[Whitworth]

The main problem is that they are made out of aluminum. They are great out of the box, but if so much as the wind blows they get worn round and the sharp edge is gone forever.

Do you know what the Ruger item number is for that front sight? It would make searching for alternatives so much easier.
My Super Red Hawk and the BFR both have Bowen Classic Arms rear sight. A major improvement!

I am pretty sure the front sight is not a Ruger sight. I haven't seen aluminum front sights on any Ruger revolvers.

[Char-Gar]

I have never laid eyes on a BFR revolver or known anybody that has. I wonder if they are imported into Texas?

[Whitworth]

BFRs are produced in Minnesota......

[white eagle]

we have gone from freedom arms to ruger
whats next taurus ??
is there no shame ...............

[PacMan]

Ya know i have wanted one of their Shorty Revolvers in 44mag for some time. Does anyone know of a dealer that can get one? I have called several diffrent dealers and tried all the shops around here and have had no luck at all.
Dwight

[44man]

I am pretty sure the front sight is not a Ruger sight. I haven't seen aluminum front sights on any Ruger revolvers.
Darn, you are right. I went in my box and have six sights. Four are steel. But all have the exact screw alignment for Ruger or BFR, They can be switched. You can put a steel sight on the BFR.

[buck1]

The FA is a awsome high quality gun . The BFR is a very good Quality gun. Both will serve you well for a life time.
That said the FA would be my first choice If it wernt so high dollar.

[GL49]

So far I haven't heard anything about the BFR that makes me think I would regret purchasing one, the front sight is fixable now that I know it will interchange with a steel Ruger sight, and my SBH grips work for me on my 44, though sometimes I wish they were just a tad longer. I guess I'll find out how they work with a 475. No dragoon triggerguard---YAHOO!
Thanks to everyone for your input.

[dubber123]

Don't fear the non-Bisley grip on the BFR. I own a F/A .475, (4-3/4"), my brother owns a 6.5" BFR in .475. Even with smooth wood grips on his, it is worlds more comfortable to shoot. I won't trade my F/A for it, but I consider the BFR an exceptional value. I really don't like the rubber (plastic) grips they come with, and the sights are no peach, but those are easily cured. The BFR's are a great gun.

[Whistler]

I ask again. :)
Does anyone know the Ruger item number for the front sight?
It would be a great upgrade for my BFR that wears out sight after sight made of aluminum.

[subsonic]

My best guess would be a front sight for a 10" SBH? A sight from a mkii would.be similar,but shorter.
Barrel diameter would matter.

[Whitworth]

I ask again. :)
Does anyone know the Ruger item number for the front sight?
It would be a great upgrade for my BFR that wears out sight after sight made of aluminum.


I don't know if it's that simple. BFR screws their front sights on while the Ruger sights are soldered on.

[tek4260]

Any screw attached Ruger front signt(Single Six, MK, or 10.5 Super) will be too short.

Here is a poor pic of my 475 BFR with Weigand sight. This is the route I'd take on replacing the sight. If you wanted, you could order a .595" sight for a Ruger Blackhawk and drill/countersink and it may be tall enough.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_1754.jpg

[tek4260]

And see the rear sight? That is sighted in. Needs a tall sight. The Ruger screw attached sights aren't much, if any, taller than the base of the Weigand.

[44man]

And see the rear sight? That is sighted in. Needs a tall sight. The Ruger screw attached sights aren't much, if any, taller than the base of the Weigand.
I can see why it needs to be very high. The short barrel must really come up. ;-)

[44man]

I don't know if it's that simple. BFR screws their front sights on while the Ruger sights are soldered on.
Only on some guns and most with a soldered base have a pinned in blade.
I don't find any solder on these!

[subsonic]

Longer barrels would need taller front sights - boolit is in barrel longer during recoil. Doing the math shows that the same angle, extended further down a longer barrel, requires a longer leg on that side of the triangle - taller sight. Less velocity and more boolit weight makes for a taller sight needed. Lighter and faster shoots lower, slower and heavier shoots higher.

Anybody make a screw-on steel sight for BFRs? Seems like there would be a market for it, unless the weight of the steel would overload the mounting screw during recoil?

[subsonic]

:!::idea:

Banded steel front sight!

[tek4260]

Longer barrels would need taller front sights - boolit is in barrel longer during recoil. Doing the math shows that the same angle, extended further down a longer barrel, requires a longer leg on that side of the triangle - taller sight. Less velocity and more boolit weight makes for a taller sight needed. Lighter and faster shoots lower, slower and heavier shoots higher.

Anybody make a screw-on steel sight for BFRs? Seems like there would be a market for it, unless the weight of the steel would overload the mounting screw during recoil?


Longer barrels need shorter sights. The boolit is in the barrel longer, therefore more muzzle rise, so a shorter sight is needed. Shorter barrel=less time for muzzle rise, so a taller sight is needed.

[tek4260]

Only on some guns and most with a soldered base have a pinned in blade.
I don't find any solder on these!


Those are 4 Ruger sights from 10.5" Supers, Single Sixes, and maybe a MKII. Followed by 3 BFR sights.

The only pinned in blades Ruger offers are on their stainless revolvers.

For the record, I don't understand why they don't screw attach them all at Ruger. I guess the assembly line makes it easy to solder em on. Or at least easier than it is for me at home.

[subsonic]

Longer barrels need shorter sights. The boolit is in the barrel longer, therefore more muzzle rise, so a shorter sight is needed. Shorter barrel=less time for muzzle rise, so a taller sight is needed.

The more the muzzle rises, the taller sight you need, not shorter, so the barrel starts out lower when the sights are aligned.

[44man]

Gun weight helps hold the barrel down so things tend to even out. The large calibers will really whip a short barrel up fast. Even though a boolit is in less time, it is hard to beat that rise.
My 10-1/2" .44 has almost no rise to speak of. Shoot my loads from a shorter barrel and it whips so fast and high it twists my wrist.
Gun weight must be considered for sight height.
Even how the gun is held will change that. Those that like "roll" need higher sights.
Shooting with one hand can need higher too.
Ask me high high I overshot a deer with the .475 when he came on the wrong side and I shot at him with one hand. [smilie=s: I think I needed a 2' front sight!

[rleue]

I have owned an FA and have a BFR on order. I had my front sight fall off with the FA and when I contacted the company they said that they had had some problems with the soder and I come send it back to the company for repair--at my cost of shipping both ways and PAYING FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. I got it done, sold it and have never, ever considered buying a FA again. At least (I understand) that Magnum Research stands behind their work. I have ordered a BFR in 454 from Cabelas. It is a 5.5" version for $950. What a deal...and I won't even have to worry about the front sight...

[Plastikosmd]

Holy necropost!
Sorry to hear, love FA. Let us know on the bfr.im sure it will be great

[dubber123]

The BFR should be a good gun. The front sight won't be soldered on, but held with a screw. That is a good thing as they are aluminum, and not the best in the world, the rear is pure Ruger, and of similar quality, also easily changed. The trigger will likely stink on either brand, but those are easy to fix too. The BFR grips are super cheesy, but some like them. Those too are easy to replace or make. Both shoot similarly in my experience. Enjoy your new toy :)

[CLAYPOOL]

Dear No Nothing SIRS: All you really need is a longer barrel, a Stock, a Lever, and MARLIN stamped JM on the side. Caliber .45-70 or .38-55 for fun. COWBOY model... What else is there. I Duck hunted all my life starting with the HOLY GRAIL - LEAD SHOT. I have started to "SEE THE LIGHT" with 3 Marlins, stamped "JM"..... forward all response's to "CLAYPOOL"......!

[CLAYPOOL]

Although a .454 is very close to perfect....!

[bbailey7821]

Train wreck!

[ole 5 hole group]

Anybody make a screw-on steel sight for BFRs? Seems like there would be a market for it, unless the weight of the steel would overload the mounting screw during recoil?

Here ya go - sixshot has sold them in the past, as I purchased two. Just PM him on the attached forum and ask for the BFR sight.
http://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/15786/sixshot-sight

[44man]

I have not been able to get here for a while, found it was my computer.
But let me explain why I don't like the Bisley, mostly my huge archery knuckle that the trigger guard loves.
Most important is I never get the same grip so if I shoot and put the gun down, I will be off the next time. The S&W 29's do the same with me. I also do not like the RH grips but the SRH just needs held firm.
Shooting IHMSA I could center every steel, put the gun down for target setters and clean miss the next 5 shots. Turns out it was the grip. Of all the revolvers, the S&W was the worst.
I have made the Bisley shoot on occasion but I have never matched groups. Now a SBH with wood panels will make me lose a few pints from my knuckle so I need Pachmeyer's on them.
Now remember not all Bisley grips are the same either. Jack makes a style that might work for me.
Shooting the Freedom .475 was so much better with the rubber grips they sold.

[44man]

As for sights, I remove the front anyway if it is screwed on since some Grinch replaced them with a hairball so I need the Ultra Dots.
Some barrels do not have enough thickness for a hole so they solder them on.

[BFR-44mag]

I know this is an older thread, but I just purchased a BFR 44 mag after reading an article regarding the most recent options available from Magnum Research. Apparently, you may now order your BFR with the Bisley grip frame if you prefer. https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/5/11/new-grip-options-for-the-magnum-research-bfr/

[lar45]

That is kind of a crazy looking Bisley grip. I'd like to try it on a 475 or 500 JRH.
https://assets.americanrifleman.org/media/2901949/grip_003_mribfrg_pair_01s.png?width=510&height=238
One thing he didn't mention in his article is that the 45/410 BFR will also chamber 454s.
It might have been nice to see a target with his 45Colt loads instead of the 410 splatter.
I really like the looks of the new rear sight.
https://assets.americanrifleman.org/media/2901952/grip_006_mribfrg_chamber_01s.png?width=445&height=372