BH question

[jimbo1096]

sight unseen - if there is a new model 45c Blackhawk in blue and it has the black hard rubber grips, would it be safe to say it was a lock model, BN44L?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Based on my limited experience/knowledge: Yes. The "L" in the model number is the dead giveaway, but "New Model BH with plastic grips" is also a key point.

-- Sam

 

[jimbo1096]

You are correct that the L means lock, but I didn't say we knew what the modl# was. Basically I'm asking if all new model 45c Blackhawks with the black rubber grips are lock equipped models?

 

[Bear Claw Chris]

Pretty sure that the lock in Blackhawks, goes hand in hand with the molded plastic grips.

 

[Knuckles]

You just lift up the skirt and take a peak. :wink:

 

[Yosemite Sam]

You are correct that the L means lock, but I didn't say we knew what the modl# was. Basically I'm asking if all new model 45c Blackhawks with the black rubber grips are lock equipped models?

Ah, I misread. Gotcha.

From what I know, yes, that is safe to say.

-- Sam

 

[hutchman]

You are correct that the L means lock, but I didn't say we knew what the modl# was. Basically I'm asking if all new model 45c Blackhawks with the black rubber grips are lock equipped models?

The grips are plastic and not rubber......FWIW......

 

[caryc]

You are correct that the L means lock, but I didn't say we knew what the modl# was. Basically I'm asking if all new model 45c Blackhawks with the black rubber grips are lock equipped models?

The grips are plastic and not rubber......FWIW......

That won't get you anywhere. I've stated that till I'm blue in the face and people still insist on calling them hard rubber. I guess they just don't want to admit they are buying plastic. :wink:

 

[hutchman]

Cary, off topic question.....I have little to no knowledge of OM Rugers, but were the original black grips hard rubber or were they plastic also?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

"Plastic" is of course very likely true, but it is not the same ticky-tacky hard plastic we've come to know on some guns. It's not quite pliable either, but is sort of a dull, thunky, rubbery feeling plastic.

-- Sam

 

[flatgate]

Cary, off topic question.....I have little to no knowledge of OM Rugers, but were the original black grips hard rubber or were they plastic also?

I'll lend a hand here. Yup, genuine plastic.

After a while a walnut grip became optional, and stag and ivory were listed right away, in the Aug. of '53 price sheet.

flatgate

 

[Chance]

jimbo
every new 45 BH I have bought in the last two years that came with plastic grips DID have the lock.

 

[jimbo1096]

Catalog Number: BN-44L | Model Number: 10445 | Caliber: .45 Colt

Material: Alloy Steel Finish: Blued
Front Sight: Ramp Rear Sight: Adjustable
Barrel Length: 4.62" Overall Length: 10.50"
Weight: 36.00 oz. Grips: Black Checkered Hard Rubber
Twist: 1:16" RH Grooves: 6
MA Approved & Certified: No CA Approved: N/A
Capacity: 6 Suggested Retail: $557.00

Copyright © 2010 by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

From the Ruger website -
So who ya gonna believe?

 

[jimbo1096]

Thanks chance- that is what I thought. The Question was asked because I got a call from a new Blackhawk owner that wanted to know if I had any wood grips to sell him to replace the black rubber / plastic originals. I asked him if it was a new model with the internal lock and he said new model but no lock. I thought different so advised him the standard xrn3-red I had would not fit.
end of story

 

[caryc]

I think the hard rubber thing came from the old Colt black grips that were made, I believe from Gutta Percha.

Genuine authentic plastic is much cheaper now.

 

[caryc]

Thanks chance- that is what I thought. The Question was asked because I got a call from a new Blackhawk owner that wanted to know if I had any wood grips to sell him to replace the black rubber / plastic originals. I asked him if it was a new model with the internal lock and he said new model but no lock. I thought different so advised him the standard xrn3-red I had would not fit.
end of story

The regular Blackhawks with the locks in the alloy frames (not the new flattop) will take the same XR3-RED style wood grips as the older Blackhawks without locks. There is no fit problem.

 

[hutchman]

Cary knows what he is talking about........even if Ruger tells you different....... :shock:

Here is a Single Six with a lock:

And the same Single Six with flat back wood:

Ruger says these don't work, but methinks they are telling a story......

 

[jimbo1096]

didn't know that. previous discussion I had was the lock wouldn't fit a standard grip without some fitment. glad I asked

 

[caryc]

didn't know that. previous discussion I had was the lock wouldn't fit a standard grip without some fitment. glad I asked

I'm getting a little tired of saying this but here it is again. I guess it's worth repeating since people are still confused about it.

The New Vaquero and the New Blackhawk Flattops have a steel copy of the old XR3 grip frames on them. This frame was the first to have the lock in it. The problem was that the frames are .437" in width and the locks are .480" in width. So, since the locks are wider than the grip frames, any flat backed grips need recesses in the backs for the locks. The black plastic grips have no problem because they are concave in the back anyway.

When they put the internal locks in the XR3-RED profile alloy grip frames for the Blackhawks they left the frames at .500" in width. Since the locks are not wider than the grip frames, any flat backed grips need no recesses for the locks.