I purchased a new RUGER BLACKHAWK FLATTOP 357/9MM stainless, 5.5 inch revolvers a few months ago and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet due rotator cuff surgery to my dominant arm/shoulder. Until recently I have not had the hand strength or dexterity to even partial disassemble it for inspection.
I recently ordered a set of grip panels to fit the XR-3 grip frame on my new Flattop. When my grip panels arrived I mounted them on my new Blackhawk and discovered that they came very close to fitting but they did not fit correctly.
I returned the panels to the grip maker and at first we could not understand the reason for the misfit. The grips looked beautiful on my new Ruger but did not fit properly. We finally concluded that there might be a slight variance in the location of the XR-3 grip frame locator pins on my Blackhawk and the XR-3 grip frames he uses when crafting XR-3 grip panels.
I decided to try and remove the grip frame and ship it to the grip maker for proper adjustment of the panels. The grip frame came off without a problem and I mailed it out to him a few days ago. I expect the grip frame and panels back in a week or so and I expect they will fit the frame nicely. IMHO sending the frame to the grip panel maker is a good idea to insure a good fit.
I found the loading gate to be difficult to open and when I removed the grip frame I found very small metal shavings around the screw holes to the trigger guard. The front sight blade "looks" unusually tall but I haven't measured it. When my grip frame comes home, I will mount the factory grips and return it to Ruger for a safety check and possible replacement of the rather tall front sight. I called Ruger and explained my observations and they sent me a shipping label.
When it comes back to me from the factory, I will install the Blackhawk Hunter Hammer that I received today from Midway.
Overall this is a great looking revolver, a good value for the money one that I have been wanting for years. I am anxious to take it out to the range. I plan on shooting mostly 9mm ammo for practice, plinking and fun.
I recently ordered a set of grip panels to fit the XR-3 grip frame on my new Flattop. When my grip panels arrived I mounted them on my new Blackhawk and discovered that they came very close to fitting but they did not fit correctly.
I returned the panels to the grip maker and at first we could not understand the reason for the misfit. The grips looked beautiful on my new Ruger but did not fit properly. We finally concluded that there might be a slight variance in the location of the XR-3 grip frame locator pins on my Blackhawk and the XR-3 grip frames he uses when crafting XR-3 grip panels.
I decided to try and remove the grip frame and ship it to the grip maker for proper adjustment of the panels. The grip frame came off without a problem and I mailed it out to him a few days ago. I expect the grip frame and panels back in a week or so and I expect they will fit the frame nicely. IMHO sending the frame to the grip panel maker is a good idea to insure a good fit.
I found the loading gate to be difficult to open and when I removed the grip frame I found very small metal shavings around the screw holes to the trigger guard. The front sight blade "looks" unusually tall but I haven't measured it. When my grip frame comes home, I will mount the factory grips and return it to Ruger for a safety check and possible replacement of the rather tall front sight. I called Ruger and explained my observations and they sent me a shipping label.
When it comes back to me from the factory, I will install the Blackhawk Hunter Hammer that I received today from Midway.
Overall this is a great looking revolver, a good value for the money one that I have been wanting for years. I am anxious to take it out to the range. I plan on shooting mostly 9mm ammo for practice, plinking and fun.