Colt Bisley Model Revolver

Larry Potterfield • March 04, 2022
Guns

The Colt Single Action Army had been in production for 20 years when the factory decided to bring out a target version, which they named the Bisley, after the famous target ranges in England. I have an old Colt Bisley made in Hartford, Connecticut. The front half of the Bisley appears identical to the Single Action Army, but the hammer has a lower, wider spur. The Bisley trigger and the Bisley grips have an entirely different shape and feel. It has a loading gate for loading and unloading. The gun I have has a 4 3/4-inch barrel, but Bisley's were also made with 5 1/2 and 7 1/2-inch barrels. It has a fixed rear sight notch and a high blade front. It has an ejector rod for ejecting fired cases. It's chambered in 38-40 Winchester Center Fire (WCF). The Colt Bisley was made from 1894 to 1915 with total production of about 45,000 guns. The cylinder is easy to remove for cleaning. While the cylinder holds six rounds, recommended practice is to load only five and put the hammer on safe over the empty chamber. For a visual demonstration of the gun's operation, check out the video above.

--Larry Potterfield

Related Products

  1. Colt Single Action Army Nimschke Engraver's Edition Revolver 45 Colt (Long Colt) 5.5" Barrel 6-Round Stainless Walnut $3999.99
  2. Colt Single Action Army Revolver 45 Colt (Long Colt) 4.75" Barrel 6-Round Blued Black $3149.99
  3. Cimarron Firearms P-Model Old Model Revolver 45 Colt (Long Colt) 4.75" Barrel 6-Round Blued Walnut $549.99
  4. Uberti 1873 Cattleman El Patron Revolver 45 Colt (Long Colt) 5.5" Barrel 6-Round Blued Walnut $679.99
  5. Cimarron Firearms Model P Revolver 38-40 WCF 7.5" Barrel 6-Round Blued Walnut $579.99

Latest Stories

  1. Larry Potterfield Nitro 3.0 Tour Part 3 – Picking Overview

  2. Larry Potterfield Nitro 3.0 Tour Part 2 – Box Making

  3. Larry Potterfield Nitro 3.0 Tour Part 1 – Shipping

Larry Potterfield

Larry Potterfield is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of MidwayUSA. He and his wife Brenda, both country kids from Missouri, turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become the industry-leading internet retailer it is today. For over 45 years, MidwayUSA has maintained an unyielding focus on Customer Satisfaction and continues to offer JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for Shooting, Hunting and the Outdoors.

Read More