I have decided on a .45 LC revolver for packing on hikes, Alaskan fishing trips, etc. I am looking for something that is easy to carry, accurate and can be reloaded to pack a hefty wallup. I am leaning towards a Ruger Bisley Vaquero in .45 LC with a 4 5/8" barrel. The only down side I can see is that it has fixed sights. I would prefer a revolver with adjustable sights, but don't think the Ruger Vaquero offers that as an option. Are the fixed sights good enough for a packing pistol? Is there a Blackhawk Bisley with adjustable sights and 4 5/8" barrel? I would like to get your opinions on a gun to be used for this purpose.

SharkBait, I'd go with the Ruger Blackhawk. It has adjustable sights and is nearly identical to the bisley vaquero except the grip and hammer are a little different. I always carry a heavy loaded 45 Colt when I'm in bear country. I don't think there is a blackhawk version of the bisley, but someone else might know. My cousin carried a vaquero for years in Alaska, the only thing is, when you find a load that is accurate with those fixed sights, you better stick with it. He never complained about the sights, the only time he was ever forced to use it in defence, the bear was about 10 ft away. At that distance, sights really don't matter.

Sooner

Ruger has (to my knowledge) only offered the Bisley grip on two adjustable sighted revolvers.

The regular Bisley is offered only in blued steel and only in a 7 1/2" barrel length. They have made a small run of 5 1/2" barreled stainless Bisley Blackhawks with adjustable sights, offered only through Accu-Sports, a distributor in Ohio.

A decent gunsmith can cut down the barrel of the regular Bisley and reposition the front sight. Main thing to be careful of is to be sure the sight is replaced square and perfectly vertical.

I was lucky enough to obtain one of the 5 1/2" stainless Bisleys and, to be perfectly honest (and humble ), it is one hell of a terrific revolver. A real powerhouse coupled with moderate weight as opposed to a Redhawk or big ol' Super Redhawk, barrel length not too long for convenient belt holster carry, and that grip shape does not tear up your hand even with the heaviest safe loads.

Fixed sights in a carry revolver are not a hindrance...they are a good thing to have. If you truly want a "carry" gun then you don't need multiple loads. Find one you and the gun like and then regulate the sights for that load. You'll never have to worry about the sights which is worth alot.

I carry a 5 shot 45 colt bisley vaquero stainless in 4 5/8" and like it alot.

I've got one of Ruger's Sheriff Vaqueros in 45 Colt with the 3.5 inch barrel, and close up the fixed sights are great - they don't come out of adjustment or snag. It hit to POA with 250s at 1000 fps, and 6 inches high with 310s at 1200 fps, at 25 yards. Close enough to hit bears. Kicks a little with the warm loads though, been thinking of doing a Bisley conversion on it with the Brownells kit.

I believe Brownells has a Bisley grip conversion for the Super Blackhawk also, and a lot of other cool stuff for the Ruger single actions. www.brownells.com

Shark Bait,

Depending on the season, I like my old Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Sometimes a lighter gun is appropriate so I switch to an equally old but somewhat rougher Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special. The CA is almost a pocket pistol, almost a kit gun. But, after an action job and two attempts at trigger tuning, it is still a POS. I'm more inclined to carry it when 2 snake loads and a few wadcutters would fill the bill. A great concept that didn't quite make expectations.
I've noticed that Taurus offers a 5 shot stainless or titanium DA snubby in .45 Colt. I'd rather have a 3 inch full shroud barrel than the 2 inch listed, and I could do without the ports. Maybe a special run to my specs will come along before I bump into the standard model in a shop or gunshow - I'd probably have to take it home.

http://www.taurususa.com/m450.html

Just wanted you all to know that I purchased a Ruger Stainless Blackhawk Bisley with 5.5" barrel.Thanks for the advice.

Mr. Shark, I have both a 7 1/2" bisley and a stainless 5 1/2" redhawk. For field carry, the redhawk is hard to beat. It takes all the load the bisley will take and then some. The grip is great as DA's go.

Redhawks are good guns although heavy. How do you figure it can take heavier loads than your bisley?

Mr. Delta, I first heard this from either the guys at Corbon or Buffalo Bore Ammo. I was questioning the safety of 325 grains at 1300 and was told that the Bisley would handle it and the RH was even stronger. Since, my reading has given me the general impression that the thicker cylinder walls on the stainless RH adds up to more strength. I don't differentiate in my on loading but rather try not to exceed 30,000 plus or minus loads for either with Beartooth or Cast Performance bullets.