Cimarron Bisley

The Cimarron Bisley is a Single Action Army variant built on the Bisley target frame—originally developed by Colt in the 1890s for precision target shooting competitions at the Bisley range in England. The Bisley grip is longer and more rearward-raking than the standard SAA plow handle, placing the wrist in a more natural position for deliberate aimed fire. The hammer is lower-profile to reduce the thumb travel required to cock it, and the trigger is wider for a more consistent finger placement. Available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44-40 Winchester, and .45 Colt, the Cimarron Bisley appeals to target shooters, precision-minded cowboy action competitors, and collectors who appreciate the design’s engineering intent.

Read our full Cimarron Bisley Buying Guide ↓

Bisley Grip vs. Standard SAA Plow Handle: The Engineering Difference

The standard SAA plow-handle grip was designed for cavalry use—one-handed shooting from horseback with recoil directed upward in a rolling motion. The Bisley grip is optimized for deliberate target shooting from a two-handed or benchrest position, with a more vertical wrist angle that aligns the forearm more directly with the bore. The lower hammer reduces the cocking arc, making faster cocking possible without shifting the grip. The wider trigger allows more consistent finger placement shot to shot. For shooters who prioritize accuracy over draw speed, the Bisley’s ergonomics are a genuine improvement over the standard SAA for deliberate fire.

Bisley in SASS Competition

The SASS Bisley category allows competitors to use Bisley-frame revolvers as their primary guns, recognizing the distinct manual of arms and the historical legitimacy of the design. Many Bisley competitors find the lower hammer and grip angle produce more consistent trigger control under the time pressure of competitive stages. The Bisley is not necessarily faster to draw than a standard SAA, but many shooters find it more accurate on the precision shots that SASS stages require. For buyers who plan to compete specifically in the Bisley category or who want the most accurate SAA platform available, the Cimarron Bisley is the purpose-built choice.

Historical Background: The Bisley Model

Colt introduced the Bisley model in 1894 specifically to compete in target shooting matches at the National Rifle Association of Great Britain’s range at Bisley Camp in Surrey. The design modifications addressed the needs of deliberate long-range target shooting rather than the quick-draw cavalry use the standard SAA was designed for. Approximately 44,000 Bisley models were produced by Colt between 1894 and 1915. Original Colt Bisleys in good condition are genuine collector pieces; the Cimarron reproduction provides the same shooting experience at a fraction of the cost.

Caliber Selection for the Bisley

.357 Magnum is the most practical Bisley choice for regular competition and range use, accepting .38 Special for economical practice rounds. .45 Colt is the traditional SASS Bisley category choice for authenticity points. .44-40 matches Cimarron’s 1873 lever-action rifles for period-correct combination shooting. The Bisley’s grip geometry distributes recoil differently than the plow handle—most shooters find full-power loads more comfortable in the Bisley grip than the standard SAA because the more vertical wrist angle absorbs recoil more directly.

See the standard SAA on the Cimarron Model P page, compare the bird’s head grip variant on the Cimarron Thunderer page, or browse the full Cimarron lineup.