Magnum Research (MRI) has always counted the BFR (Big Frame Revolver) series among its many success stories. It all began in 1999, when independent gunsmith/designer Jim Tertin, was approached by MRI to manufacture the new large caliber revolver for MRI. Tertin mastered the base pin design, firing pin, barrels, frame and cylinder, and fine-tuned the timing of all BFR revolvers, and then put it into production for Magnum Research. In 2005, Tertin sold the BFR design to MRI and was hired as Director of Manufacturing. His focus is now Director of Design, Research and Development for all MRI products including the iconic Desert Eagle and Baby Desert Eagle.
In an effort to always keep the BFR in the forefront of this competitive industry of revolver manufacturers, the BFR has been redesigned with some exciting new features. The hammer spur was addressed first and it is now taller and narrower than previous models. It was raised vertically allowing for easier cocking and is significantly easier to shoot—even with a gloved hand. The new hammer is 100% machined in stainless steel and is made with extremely tight tolerances giving it a very smooth and consistent trigger pull.
Also new for the BFR product line is the soft rubber, one-piece grip. The grips were designed with the most correct taper needed for single-action shooting. With its new ergonomic design, it is just slightly longer than the original two-piece grip MRI used prior to this. The new Hogue grip is a brand new “screwless design” that has never before been offered on a single-action revolver. The one-piece rubber grip fits snugly to the grip frame and will not move under recoil. Each grip is shipped with an assembly/disassembly tool that aids in installing or removing the grip. The new grips and hammers will fit any BFR manufactured since 2000 and are available directly from Magnum Research.
The last new feature offered on the entire BFR product line is the new BFR logo. The logo was designed internally by Kevin Yoon, Marketing Manager, Kahr Firearms Group, and the logo truly reflects a more modern look for the BFR revolvers.
All BFR special ordered calibers, and all 12 BFR standard models with calibers that include: .454 Casull, .44 Magnum, .30/30 Win., .45/70 Govt., .460 S&W, .500 S&W, and .45LC/.410, and with barrel lengths of 5 inches (up to 10 inches) will feature the new upgrades.
I’d love a sixgun in 45/70. Have a Marlin Guide Gun in that caliber and honestly believe at 100 yds or less there is no four (or two) legged animal I cannot kill cleanly with that cartridge. To have a handgun to match the rifle, saves on ammo cost and makes a nice survival duo to carry in the wild. Should be a good bear gun and anything else that comes to the tent flap at night.
I have the S&W 500 Magnum – 8 3/8″ barrel – single ported model. Most would agree that there is very little pheasable cause for such a beast, other than making a gun lover smile. Slinging standard 300+ grain lead out of her is an experience, but not really all that hard to control. It’s not until you put on your steel pair and shoot 700 grain bear load out of her that you really understand what this cannon is all about. I have wanted for some time to try the Magnum BFR in 500 Mag, i have heard some people say they prefer it to the mighty X frame. Has anyone in the forum shot them both? interested in your thoughts / preferences.
I had a Ruger Super Redhawk, 7 1/2″ barrel that was stolen from me along with a 1941 Nazi marked P-38 and I cry more about the Ruger that was .44 Magnum. Still have the factory scope rings but threw the original box away.
Super redhawks are great guns as well agree but i do not like hunting with bright shiny stainless weapons here in the ne usa.My new model blackhawk in 45 colt will get the job done and can handle the pressures of magnum velocity handloads i use in it for hunting altho i would have still rather had it in 44 mag i get pretty damn close top same power levels with the heavy hunting loads from the hornady data book on handloading for the 45 long colt .with the 7.5 inch barreled 45 colt and recoil is stount but manageable .But now i have moved up to the desert eagle 44 mag so i will get the chance to see the diff on ohio whitetails this gun seaSON between the magnum loaded 45 colt and the 44 mag round 240 grain factory loadings i have yet to attempt handloaoding on my D E yet the handbook suggest no reloads but i think if i load them myself with a 240 grain xtp bullet it will get the job done better at much longer ranges than my 45 colt does even at mag level handloads i have it topped with a halo sight with multiple reticle choices in 3 colors and can be charged with the solar charger comes with the halo sight in the field i do not put cheap optics on hunting firearms . I fired both the 50 AE and the 44 mag DE before deciding which to buy the 44 is so much more managable ad holds 3 more rounds and ammo is plentiful for the 44 mag . The .50 is a bragging point only to me and a simple barrel change will give me the .50 cal if i ever need it which i highly doubt i will need the 50 for what i purchased this pistol to do .However a 45/70 BFR would complemint my H&R break open 45/70 well in the feild .
I would love to get a .44 Mag., And try the 454 Casull. The awesome firepower of either is comforting, especially if in the jungles of America ( both rural and urban ). Above the .44 Mag, I think these are not hand-GUNS,. They are miniature cannons! I only have one pistol at the moment, Glock 32, but would like a nice manageable revolver, as they are most reliable,as is my Glock. Never a jam, not once. When a life depends on a split second, it better be dependable.
BFR! I know what i’d have those initials stand for, but I couldn’t put it into print! I have a .357 S & W model 19 with a six inch barrel and orange flourescent front sight that I carry in a Second Chance,( no longer manufactured), Strong shoulder holster. It is an amazing weapon although I use it, now a days, mainly for white tailed deer as it allows me to keep my hands warm in the northeastern deer season. With the six inch barrel it has what I call moderate recoil or about the same as the recoil of my Desert Eagle in .44 mag which has a recoil impulse just a tad heavier then my 1911 A2 .45. Why does anyone need the calibers that are produced for the BFRs? 50 AE, .45 Casull, .460 S & W? The “old” .44 magnum has been touted for years as a good bear gun. Perhaps it is the way that the users are using the gun? An old-timer once told me if I was confronted with a grizzly and had no choice but to shoot it, to break one of the front shoulders, then the other with the .44 mag and then, and only then should I shoot to kill the beast, because if one tries to shoot to kill first, the grizzly will certainly kill the shooter.
I have the 44 mag mark xlx myself love the pistol way more manageable then the 50 AE and can get 44 mag ammo almost at any place sells ammo .And you can put the 50 AE barrel on it and have a 50 AE you want it exact same frame ,mag ,and will drop right in even the bolt is exactly the same until you drop to the 357 model then you need to change the bolt as well .I also have a 7.5 inch Ruger new model blackhawk in 45 long colt i handload a 300 grain xtp bullet with win 296 powder get 44 mag velocities i scoped it and have dropped quite a few whitetail with it . Some out past 80 yards i agree the 44 mag is all you need i was taught to shoot bear in the face when charged aim for the nose and let it close enough you cannot miss you will only get 1 shot wounding a big griz with a shoulder shot first is not wise with a handgun in my mind just really tick him off shoot for the head if they charge with a 44 mag body shots you need deep penetration and a solid bullet to get to the vitals or you are just going to piss that big griz off even a large black bear can take more than you could ever imagine to kill it quickly if you are charged aim for the head and do not panic or miss .I would like to have the BFR 45/70 to match the rifle i hunt with here in ohio we are not allowed bottleneck cased rounds for deer hunting must be straight walled i use the 45/70 break open single shot a 45/70 BFR would go great with it on hip or in shoulder holster .