Could someone splain me which ones have the long grip and the short grip. Thank,s
.32 Mag. SS
- Thread starter RICHP
- Start date
M'BOGO
Buckeye
That is specific to the .32 Vaqueros, FWIW.
BlkHawk73 said:
SOME of the fixed sight "Vaqueritos" had the short grip--for awhile even most you'd encounter, but not all. That's been a common misperception, even among some gripmakers. However, the "regular" XR3 Red was standard first and continued. I've had three early, mid and late production. The last was presented right alongside a shortie. The LGS counter gent didn't have (or indicate) a clue, so you had to be on your toes as a customer and come to the store pre-educated. A friend has two middle year Reds as well. All plowhandled guns of the first SS's, the adjustable sight "Blackhawk style"--starting in 1984 to end of production in the 90s--were "regular" XR3 Red aluminum vs the Vaquerito steels.
One of my regular (long) "Reds":
Sadly sold the other two long go, but replaced by a pair of .32 birdsheads.
Rainman
Blackhawk
My blue vaquerito is the standard XR3 Red frames while my stainless one is the short frame. I don't think I have seen a stainless model with the XR3 Red.
Here's the ad Ruger used in promotion of the two different models.
Dan
Here's the ad Ruger used in promotion of the two different models.
Dan
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Hondo44
Hawkeye
Ranger1,
That's a long (standard XR3-RED) grip, the scarce one!
See catalog #s next post.
That's a long (standard XR3-RED) grip, the scarce one!
See catalog #s next post.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Only 500 stainless steel "Vaqueritos" (a Ruger marketing term as shown by Rainman) made with standard size XR3-RED grip frames: # KSSM4-FI.
Only 500 blue ones made with standard steel grip frame: # SSM4-FI
Both blue and stainless guns also made with BH steel grips, add BH behind the M in the catalog #s above. (550 stainless w/BH grip cleanup guns made later and have warning under barrel).
Short gripped stainless # KSSM4-FSI (150 w/short grip cleanup guns made beginning at the end of 2008 and have the Southport address under barrel warning and unknown # of long grip models w/wood grips in 2010 # KSSM-4F like Ranger 1's shown above with Newport address under barrel warning).
Short steel gripped blue, # SSM4-FSI
All blue guns also had a steel ER Housing.
The rarest of the above have an '*' in front of the serial # indicating sold as a used gun by the factory.
Only 500 blue ones made with standard steel grip frame: # SSM4-FI
Both blue and stainless guns also made with BH steel grips, add BH behind the M in the catalog #s above. (550 stainless w/BH grip cleanup guns made later and have warning under barrel).
Short gripped stainless # KSSM4-FSI (150 w/short grip cleanup guns made beginning at the end of 2008 and have the Southport address under barrel warning and unknown # of long grip models w/wood grips in 2010 # KSSM-4F like Ranger 1's shown above with Newport address under barrel warning).
Short steel gripped blue, # SSM4-FSI
All blue guns also had a steel ER Housing.
The rarest of the above have an '*' in front of the serial # indicating sold as a used gun by the factory.
Jim - good post!...
Then I've had three of the "rare" ones without really trying too hard at the time (other than un-helpful LGSs). Sure has bugged me over the years (though I suppose I should get over it!) when folks have said "that's the .32 grip" when referring to the shortie. I do remember later production asking folks (when some LGSs had finally educated themselves), "come on, don't you have any regular ones?!" When I finally ran across one, I grabbed it.
Then I've had three of the "rare" ones without really trying too hard at the time (other than un-helpful LGSs). Sure has bugged me over the years (though I suppose I should get over it!) when folks have said "that's the .32 grip" when referring to the shortie. I do remember later production asking folks (when some LGSs had finally educated themselves), "come on, don't you have any regular ones?!" When I finally ran across one, I grabbed it.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Good move! Yes, the standard gripped guns were made 1st starting in 1994 then mixed in with short grip gun production. My large grip stainless was made in 2000 when production resumed after 5 years of suspended production and my short gripped blue gun made in 2001.
OP
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I have an KSSM-4F-I, I bought new. I had at one time an adjustable sight gun with a five and one half in. bbl, can,t recall the grip size, sold it in a moment of weakness. I,m wanting another, those 41,s and 44,s are beating my hands up. Thanks again.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
My pleasure fellas.
RICHP,
All the adjustable sighted guns had standard size grip frames and all are blued guns with alum. alloy grip frames and ER Housings. A very few accidently got steel frames and a couple with the short steel grip frame. The gun you had is a # SSM5.
Here's my one and only, a 1st year SSM4, s/n 650-01300, the 1300th one made. I added a Stainless Steel standard size grip frame.
These come up for sale as low as $550 or so NIB. There's one in the classifieds now but higher priced.
RICHP,
All the adjustable sighted guns had standard size grip frames and all are blued guns with alum. alloy grip frames and ER Housings. A very few accidently got steel frames and a couple with the short steel grip frame. The gun you had is a # SSM5.
Here's my one and only, a 1st year SSM4, s/n 650-01300, the 1300th one made. I added a Stainless Steel standard size grip frame.
These come up for sale as low as $550 or so NIB. There's one in the classifieds now but higher priced.
Jim, I've probably seen and commented on before but sweet! I also had a first year 5.5" - one of the first out of the chute and my first new Ruger. Sold it in a moment of weakness (low cash) years ago and regretted since, though replaced nicely by Vaqueritos since.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Nice pic Jim. I like 32's because a 109 year old 32-20 was the first hand gun I ever used. Now just send me a stainless XRN-3RED GF for the final touch on a project and I'll be happy. You know I loves me some home made two tones. While you're at it, I need some help with a 22 cylinder fix. Ha!
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Ranger1,
Do you have the box with that # on it? A KSSM-4F would have fixed sights, a standard sized XR3-RED grip with wood grips, is that correct?
If so, that's awesome!! And rare! Not even mentioned in the books. Would you mind sharing the serial # here or in a PM?
Do you have the box with that # on it? A KSSM-4F would have fixed sights, a standard sized XR3-RED grip with wood grips, is that correct?
If so, that's awesome!! And rare! Not even mentioned in the books. Would you mind sharing the serial # here or in a PM?
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Ranger 1,
Wow, a fixed sight, high gloss stainless steel, wood grips unfired after the factory new in box. Model # 06536 and catalog # KSSM-4F with under barrel warning which began late in 2008.
That's awesome!! And even more scarce than I thought! Not even mentioned in the books yet. It's a higher serial number than any in my book which only goes thru 2009 and # 650-56336.
Earlier cleanup guns have the under barrel warning with Southport address.
I suspect your under barrel warning has the new small Newport address in same size type as the rest of the warning which began in 2009. Or does it have the large type Newport address??
Your earlier blue gun with left side of barrel marking has the Southport address.
Wow, a fixed sight, high gloss stainless steel, wood grips unfired after the factory new in box. Model # 06536 and catalog # KSSM-4F with under barrel warning which began late in 2008.
That's awesome!! And even more scarce than I thought! Not even mentioned in the books yet. It's a higher serial number than any in my book which only goes thru 2009 and # 650-56336.
Earlier cleanup guns have the under barrel warning with Southport address.
I suspect your under barrel warning has the new small Newport address in same size type as the rest of the warning which began in 2009. Or does it have the large type Newport address??
Your earlier blue gun with left side of barrel marking has the Southport address.
Hondo44 said:
Hondo44,
It has the small type (I think) with the Newport under barrel address.
There are only two lines of typing on the barrel with just------ Ruger, Newport,NH USA-----on the second line of typing.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
The small Newport is the very latest used, therefore with its very high serial #, yours has to be one of the last cleanup guns.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
You might try a PM to 'Chet'. He might have that info waiting to add to the next update edition of the "Reference of Ruger Firearms".
flatgate
Hawkeye
I've lost track of all the interesting variations of the .32 H&R calibre Single-Sixes. I have a couple that are wonderful shooters!
Both have retimed cylinder latches (no more dragging of the cylinder latch from chamber to chamber), no aluminum grip frames, Bisley hammers with half cock notches and excellent
shooting performance with commercial cast bullets.
flatgate
Both have retimed cylinder latches (no more dragging of the cylinder latch from chamber to chamber), no aluminum grip frames, Bisley hammers with half cock notches and excellent
shooting performance with commercial cast bullets.
flatgate
louiethelump
Buckeye
Other than altering a set myself, do any of you folks know where to get some wood grips for the short frame? I am not a fan of white plastic grips.
Louie
Louie
A friend has two nice early (adj sight) .32s on consignment at a friendly LGS. One NIB 6.5" I believe--of course with factory XR3 Red wood--and a 9.5"-10.5" (?) with scope and Pachs, not new but good shape. Not giving away but not outrageous either but I know that can be highly subjective 
- may be moveable somewhat, but in no panic to sell, so...
PM me if you want particulars on contact #, etc. I might put a "FS Elsewhere" in the our Classifieds on these soon as well.
- may be moveable somewhat, but in no panic to sell, so... PM me if you want particulars on contact #, etc. I might put a "FS Elsewhere" in the our Classifieds on these soon as well.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
louiethelump said:
Louie,
Some short frame blue/case colored guns were shipped with wood grips # SSM4FS so Ruger made them. I ordered the ones (includes the screw) shown below right off the Ruger website; from my invoice order # 70090, Part # XR01001 $37.95. But I had to call in to order the short grip frame from Newport, New Hampshire parts dept.
I changed to black eagles and blue screw/escutheons:
louiethelump
Buckeye
Thank you so much! I did not know that!
I believe Eagle makes both checkered and smooth rosewood grips (also in their ultra-slim "Gunfighter" variant IIRC) - shorties though not described as such but instead ".32 H&R." I'd sure call them to verify positively though.
Navigate this linked page down to ".32 H&R Baby Vaquero."
http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/32-HR-Standard-grips-Baby-Vaqu.html
Navigate this linked page down to ".32 H&R Baby Vaquero."
http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/32-HR-Standard-grips-Baby-Vaqu.html
louiethelump
Buckeye
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. Gun is here and it is the short grip model. I have to pick it up yet but now start a search for short grips of something other than plastic.
Louie
Louie
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