Looking for general purpose revolver. Interested to hear views pro and con on the Magnum Research BFR, ie trigger, sites, grips, overall functionability and reliability. The model I am interested in is the BFR 44 mag w 5 in. Bbl. I will be using factory ammo and use is general purpose. I looked at some colts on line but am not interested in collector but rather a gun to use and carry. Besides I don't have that kind of money anyway. Thanks in advance. Paul

Ruger Red Hawk

The BFR is one of the best buys out there IMO. As Snowwolfe pointed out the grip frame sucks, but there is a fix. Even the rubber grips you can get them with improves the situation significantly. While I have and like FAs, the BFR has a big advantage in that it has a transfer bar making it safe to carry with a round under the hammer. BFRs also come with a match-grade barrel and I have yet to meet one that isn't accurate. They are a great buy.

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the feedback. I'll check the grips and see what I think. Not so interested in the 45 colt because I wdon't plan to reload. P dog, why do you recommend the Ruger?
Thanks, Paul.

Also, Whitworth, could you please explain for me the transfer bar you mention Thanks. Paul

To quote myself from my Ruger book (it's easier for me to copy something I've already written -- sorry for my laziness):

"In layman's terms, the transfer bar is a pivoting arm fixed to a lever behind the pivot of the trigger. When the trigger is pulled, the transfer bar is held in an upward position that fills the space/void between the hammer and the firing pin, allowing the hammer's energy to be transferred to the firing pin, thereby pushing it forward into the primer. When the trigger is retracted or released, the transfer bar pivots down into a position that no longer allows the hammer to make contact with the firing pin, thus rendering the revolver completely safe and unable to fire, even with a full cylinder and severe impact directly to the hammer."

The FA 83 has no transfer bar and is therefore unsafe to carry with a live round under the hammer. FA recommends carrying it with an empty hole under the hammer, therefore rendering the FA a four-shot revolver.

Hope this helps.

Thanks! - an explanation that even this "layman" can understand.

Regards Paul.

quote:

Originally posted by PKW:
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the feedback. I'll check the grips and see what I think. Not so interested in the 45 colt because I wdon't plan to reload. P dog, why do you recommend the Ruger?
Thanks, Paul.

They are price right they are tough as all get out they are double action. I own 3 of them and they all worked great.

If all you are going to do is shoot factory ammo,I would get a Ruger Bisley in 44Mag ,your choice of barrel length.

I'm not knocking the BFR, but at nearly 5 pounds it is kind of large and clunky for a .44 mag IMO. For normal carry and use, I'd consider a Ruger, a Smith, or a FA instead.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
I'm not knocking the BFR, but at nearly 5 pounds it is kind of large and clunky for a .44 mag IMO. For normal carry and use, I'd consider a Ruger, a Smith, or a FA instead.

The BFR revolvers with the longer barrels and long cylinders might weigh 80 ounces but the 44 is built with a shorter barrel and cylinder

The .44 Mag versions of both the BFR and FA are heavier than their bigger bore counterparts. There's more meat in the barrel and cylinder.

quote:

The BFR revolvers with the longer barrels and long cylinders might weigh 80 ounces but the 44 is built with a shorter barrel and cylinder

BFR website says their .44 Mag BFR with a 5 inch barrel weighs 4.86 pounds or 77.76 ounces.

FA .44 mag with 4 3/4 inch barrel weighs 48.64 ounces, with a 6 inch barrel weighs 51.52 oz.

Ruger Super Blackhawk stainless with 4 5/8 inch barrel weighs 45 oz.

Ruger Redhawk stainless with 7 1/2 inch barrel weighs 54 oz. With a 5 1/2 inch barrel it weighs 49 oz.

Ruger Super Redhawk stainless with 7 1/2 inch barrel weighs 54 oz. AFAICT they don't currently make one with 5 1/2 inch barrel but it should reduce weight by about 5 oz, the same as the Redhawk.

Smith 629 with 6 1/2 inch barrel weighs 48.3 oz.

OBVIOUSLY they are ALL substantially lighter than the BFR. The extra wt. may well make the BFR more pleasant to shoot, but there can be no doubt that it is clunkier.

Bet they also list the 45-70 model with it's long cylinder and longer barrel at the same weight

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Bet they also list the 45-70 model with it's long cylinder and longer barrel at the same weight

You'd lose that bet. The shortest .45-70 currently made has a 7 1/2 inch barrel and is listed at 4.3 pounds or roughly 8 ounces less with 2 1/2 inches more barrel. Next.....

I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. The small-frame .44 Mag does not outweigh their long-framed .45/70. I will investigate.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. The small-frame .44 Mag does not outweigh their long-framed .45/70. I will investigate.

Possibly. It could be a misprint on their part. All I'm doing is reading from the company's site:

quote:

BFR SHORT CYLINDER MODELS

Models BFR44MAG5 BFR454C7, BFR454C6 BFR480/4757, BFR480/475
Calibers .44 Magnum .454 Casull .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh
Barrel 5” 7.5” 6.5” 7.5” 6.5”
Twist Rate 16 16 15
Groove Diameter 0.430 0.451 0.475
OA Length 11.25” 15” 12.75” 17.5” 15”
Weight 4.86 lbs 3.8 lbs 3.7 lbs 3.7 lbs 3.6 lbs
Height 6”
Slide Width 1.75”
Trigger Pull 3~4 lbs
Finish Brushed Stainless Steel Construction
Sights Factory Black Fixed Front / Rear Adjustable
Shots 5

Thanks, guys for the input. Really don't mind owning a heavier/ larger gun. I already have a smith alaskan hiker w snub bbl which is plenty light enough for longer hikes. Want something that shoots nice. I'm going to go check out the MR BFG and see how I like it. Maybe handle a few others too for comparison. Really appreciate all the info! Paul

The bfr will be more accurate and better made than the ruger. More accurate than any of us. Its a tidy lil revoled. I do like the fa better but the bfr has its advantages as whitworth has pointed out. Triggers can vary a bit. Some good, some not so good. I dont hesitate to say that it is the strongest 44 made. Also the grip frame doesnt matter with the low recoil of the 44. Another advantage not mentioned is with the longer cylinder (even though its the shorter cylinder of the two bfr makes, its still longer than ruger blackhawks and freedom arms) you can use the mega powerful 44 mag biffalo bore 340gr hardcast loads specified for srh only but works in the bfr. You can also load the ceb solids to the second crimp groove and get increased velocity for which the all copper bullet will be able to make use of that hardcast lead bullets cannot. Truly makes it a grizzly/cape buff level gun. All things the blackhawk wont do. A great value imho

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. The small-frame .44 Mag does not outweigh their long-framed .45/70. I will investigate.

Possibly. It could be a misprint on their part. All I'm doing is reading from the company's site:

quote:

BFR SHORT CYLINDER MODELS

Models BFR44MAG5 BFR454C7, BFR454C6 BFR480/4757, BFR480/475
Calibers .44 Magnum .454 Casull .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh
Barrel 5” 7.5” 6.5” 7.5” 6.5”
Twist Rate 16 16 15
Groove Diameter 0.430 0.451 0.475
OA Length 11.25” 15” 12.75” 17.5” 15”
Weight 4.86 lbs 3.8 lbs 3.7 lbs 3.7 lbs 3.6 lbs
Height 6”
Slide Width 1.75”
Trigger Pull 3~4 lbs
Finish Brushed Stainless Steel Construction
Sights Factory Black Fixed Front / Rear Adjustable
Shots 5

More like 3.86 pounds, not 4.86.

I currently own a D-Max era .45 Colt and previously owned a Magnum Research .500 S&W. The .500 was exceedingly accurate and very well made. I ultimately sold the revolver because I found the long cylinder models to be too heavy and awkward, and went to the .45 Colt model, when I found a good deal. I would buy any of the short cylinder models without hesitation. The factory trigger will need to be tuned.

I would add that there is a big quality difference between the Magnum Research guns and the D-Maxs. A couple of BFRs I have had and some that I have just shot actually had pretty good triggers out of the box.

I appreciate all the posts. Made it to the store Fri. Handled and dry fired the BFR, Ruger redhawk and black hawk models. The Ruger in Anchorage is $650/Blackhawk $800 redhawk. The BFR is $949. I liked the trigger and sights on BFR. Grip was a little odd. Did not like the trigger on any of the rugers I tried (5 different guns). Did not mind heft of BFR tho the Blackhawk was lighter. I saw another gun I might be interested in the inter arms Virginian dragoon in 44 mag 7.5" bbl. anyone have any thoughts on this gun. Used price here $450-$500. Thanks Paul.

The Ruger triggers can be tuned. As to the dragoon, I'd go with a Ruger or BFR, your choice as to preference.

Got the BFR. very pleased. shoots nice and with a little modification fits in my chest holster I was using for the smith. weighs just over 3.5lb empty and just under 4lb with full cyl. I haven't been able to post pics.

quote:

Originally posted by PKW:
Got the BFR. very pleased. shoots nice and with a little modification fits in my chest holster I was using for the smith. weighs just over 3.5lb empty and just under 4lb with full cyl. I haven't been able to post pics.

Excellent choice! Eager to hear how it shoots!