Big Bore Single Action GRIP??

[V8MERC124]

So Ive had my BFR in 45-70 for a couple of years. I think I changed the original grip to hogue rubber mono grip...maybe a week after first getting it. The orignal grip is too small for me and my pinky hangs off giving me a sense that I am not in control of the firearm. The hogue monogrip gives me a very good grip and I can easily grip the gun and be comfortable.

The problem is I am noticing with my stout loads (matching some 500SW mag loads) that I am taking ALL of the beating. The biggest problem with the hogue grip is that it says its a soft overmold mono-grip...but the exposed stainless backstrap (which looks nice) just delievers all the recoil to my palm. The original grip at least wrapped the entire grip frame and covered the back strap absorbing some of the energy. Also due to the way the grip is mounted (starts from one side wraps around the front and ends on the other side) the handgun can shift in the grip so it isnt such a great fit.

I heard that the single action can take some of the recoil out by slipping and rotating up in my hands. I personally am afraid that this may lead to it slipping entirely out of my hands which is why I initially just got the rubber grip so that I stay in control of it at all times.

So I am wondering, all of the single action big bore shooters out there...what grip should I be going with?? Hard wood? or something else?

Thanks

Here is a pic of my pocket pistol. It has a JP Jpoint reflex sight mounted where the rear sight would be (its polymer and weighs like an ounce!)

[V8MERC124]

hello, is there anyone out there? hello

[Branden967]

We are all in awe of the size of that cannon. What grip should you use...hell I dont know everyone hang on plus all of your friends! Just hold on tight!

[AFTII]

I had a .454 Casual and can feel your pain - literally. My gun was magna ported and all that did was direct the recoil into the web of your hand. Sold that beast.

I have a .500 S&W now and its not that bad - even with full power loads. First, it has a muzzle brake. Second the grips cover the backstrap. I highly recommend a brake. Barring that, find some grips that cover the backstrap -preferably with something that disburses recoil energy. But, because your gun is low production, I don't have any source of grips in mind. You may want to call Magnum Research and see what they recommend. Good luck.

[V8MERC124]

I had a .454 Casual and can feel your pain - literally. My gun was magna ported and all that did was direct the recoil into the web of your hand. Sold that beast.

I have a .500 S&W now and its not that bad - even with full power loads. First, it has a muzzle brake. Second the grips cover the backstrap. I highly recommend a brake. Barring that, find some grips that cover the backstrap -preferably with something that disburses recoil energy. But, because your gun is low production, I don't have any source of grips in mind. You may want to call Magnum Research and see what they recommend. Good luck.

I wont be able to add a brake as the S&W X frame is like the Dan Wessons where the barrel is inside of a shroud which has a brake added to the front.

I do know that the ruger super blackhawk frame is the same as the grip frame of BFR's.
So in hardwoods I can go with something like this, which gives me the full grip but its slick so it can rotate in my hands under recoil. However this and all large grips have exposed backstraps.....

I like this color as walnut and other natural color woods dont look that nice on this stainless piece. In my opinion

However, is it true that the single actions are supposed to rotate in your grip under recoil? or is this just asking for it to fly out of your hands and whack you in the head. The above grip is $90 so its not something I am willing to experiment with...

[musketjon]

Yes, the SA's are supposed to slightly rotate in your hand. It can't be avoided any way-- the grip is not on the centerline of the bore.
Jon

[TKM]

You can not control anything with that much energy. You just have to ride it out. I'd let it slip a bit if it were me.

[el_clingon]

how about a Bench mounted vice...

[Capt.Dunsel]

Go with Hogue grips that Magnum Research sells , if you like rubber .

I have a set of hardwood on mine .

let that big boy roll in your hand like a single action should .Unless your that girl on youtube that smacks herself in the head with one .

They are controllable , you get used to them .

[Johneracer]

Crap now that is a gun. I shoot full house 475 linebaugh loads and I can honestly say I would not shoot that. The proper way to shoot these guns is arm and wrist locked. When the gun fires let your whole arm rotate up in your shoulders. Do not try loose grip, that how fingers get broken. Also shoot less that 20 round and work up your tolerance. I shot a lot of heavy 45 colt loads before I went to 475 linebaugh and that helped out a lot. I shoot the 45 colt now and it feel like 22. watch this video of John linebaugh shooting the 475.

http://www.customsixguns.com

[bergmen]

Crap now that is a gun. I shoot full house 475 linebaugh loads and I can honestly say I would not shoot that. The proper way to shoot these guns is arm and wrist locked. When the gun fires let your whole arm rotate up in your shoulders. Do not try loose grip, that how fingers get broken. Also shoot less that 20 round and work up your tolerance. I shot a lot of heavy 45 colt loads before I went to 475 linebaugh and that helped out a lot. I shoot the 45 colt now and it feel like 22. watch this video of John linebaugh shooting the 475.
http://www.customsixguns.com

Yes, that is the way. Lock wrist and arm and have that structure take the recoil to the shoulder.

As said here DO NOT let the grip slip in your hand, very easy for it to get away from you. It took me a bit to work up a shooting stance for my Freedom Arms model 83 in 454 Casull but I can now shoot it with full confidence.

If you don't have this book yet, it is excellent for everything big bore in handguns:



My Model 83:



Dan

[V8MERC124]

Yes, that is the way. Lock wrist and arm and have that structure take the recoil to the shoulder.

As said here DO NOT let the grip slip in your hand, very easy for it to get away from you.
Dan

The proper way to shoot these guns is arm and wrist locked. When the gun fires let your whole arm rotate up in your shoulders. Do not try loose grip, that how fingers get broken.

I dont know guys, I used to do that when I first got it. For around 300gr I could do that, but when you step up to 350-400gr plus (up to 550gr and all handloads), you can really feel it in your elbows. Im no stranger to recoil either, I shoot 45/70 marlin and 500gr from 458 Win Mag Ruger No.1 (not 1 or 2 rounds, maybe 10 rounds and then rotate to another caliber). When I shoot my BFR I do at least 20 rounds to maybe 40 rounds (start off with some light 300gr wadded loads). I have learned to fix my wrist and put a slight bend in my elbows so my forearms recoil back a bit and then my shoulders will rotate up (never gets anywhere near my face).

Its just that I heard from somewhere that these single actions should roll which is completely different compared to semi-auto handguns that I shoot (or 357 mag DA revolver), on those I like to stay in control of them. Like someone above was saying, when you touch that trigger on a 400 plus grain load...you are not in control, you are a passenger hangin on for the ride.

I definitely agree not to have a LOOSE grip, but the hogue mono rubber grips dont slip in your hand like the wood grips can which has me reconsidering the rubber soft grips.
So I appreciate all the insight I am getting here, keep it comin.


And bergman, that is nice piece there. Ive handled a freedom arms and you can tell the quality difference between a bfr and those. Both are nice, but the freedom arms is nicer and the price reflects that.

[bergmen]

I bought a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt many years ago for the sole purpose of handloading to higher performance rounds. Lots of published data on excellent high powered loads for the Blackhawk out there.

I had a bunch-o-fun with that gun and then stumbled over this at the LGS:



In 45 Colt, obviously. This was a favorite gun of Ross Seyfried who really touted the hot 45 Colt loads. Then, when I was able to, I ordered the FA along with a 45 Colt accessory cylinder. Spendy, definitely, but this is the Rolls Royce of single action handguns.

Since I got the Bisley, I gave my Blackhawk to my youngest son (who is now 27) and my oldest son bought his own Blackhawk in 45 Colt. So hot loading is a family affair and we all dig it. Even my daughter (25) loves to shoot the flame throwers.

It's all good.

Dan

[Johneracer]

I love big calibers. I have a double in 450 nitro. Makes my Marlin 45/70 feel like a 308. Anyway back to OP. Unfortunately there is nothing that you can do aside a shooting glove. Some have good padding in Palm that will help. You could try different powders, I don't know what you use. try hs-6. That is what I use for mild 475 loads. Love the ruger above. I have 5. All in 45 colt. All bisley. The best all around round. Can be loaded to exceed 44 mag and downloaded to very mild cowboy load. I sent my blackhawk to Bowen and had it converted to 475. $3k later I hade the tightest revolver I have ever seen. Lock up is amazing. Here is part of my collection.

[Johneracer]

Just to add, if you put wooden grips back on it. I was at Angeles and my hands were sweaty. I let a full house 475 linebaugh go and the gun almost slipped out of my hands. I held on with 2 fingers. The problem is once the gun starts slipping, or rolling in your hand, the coefficient of friction goes down and can fly out of your hands. Hard to control a precise amount of slippage. Can be done in mild loads but not with something that big. I think shooting gloves are way to go. You sir are braver then me and I salute you. I would not shoot that thing. I almost broke my wrist when I shot a 475 linebaugh. There was a female going by in a really tiny shorts. I lost my focus and limp wristed the 475. The gun twisted my wrist 90 degrees up and almost smacked me in the face. I shed a tear that day now I remember to stay on point.