Birdshead grip frame

[pupsdad]

Midway has the steel in the white birdshead grip frame in stock. I have seen stainless grip frames installed on blue pistols. What opinions do you all have on a stainless grip frame on blue guns. I was thinking about waiting for stainless to come in stock but I'm not sure I'll like it once it's close up. The right color grips might help but I'm unsure.
Thanks

 

[Deer Hunter]

Have you considered a brass grip frame?

 

[contender]

Quite a few guns have had the alloy grip frames polished off to look like shiny stainless. They look good to many folks. Shiny g/f on a blued gun.

 

[32shooter]

Welcome to the Forum! I polished the alloy frame and ejector rod housing on my Single Six. It was drilled and tapped for a scope so any collector value was already gone. I like the two tone look. And then there is the factory "reverse" two tone, Blackhawk .327 Pinto which I had at one time.

 

[cee_Kamp]

This Blackhawk started life as a .357 Mag. stainless 4.62" plow handle New Model.
I bought it used, it was cosmetically flawed with some rust pits. (stored in a wet holster or gun case or perhaps blood spatter)
I wanted a "tractor" revolver, and what it looked like was of no importance to me.
If it got wet or muddy, it simply didn't matter, it isn't a "safe queen" or even close.
Mechanically, low round count and great timing, end shake, and b/c gap. (with both cylinders)

I sourced the used blued 9mm cylinder and the used pre-fitted Birdshead hi-polish grip frame here on the Forum.
The pictured grip panels are factory black micarta.
I installed the two used parts myself here at home. The cylinder required a visit to my metal lathe for proper fitment.
After fitting the cylinder, bare steel was evident and I shipped it out for Mil-Spec Parkerizing.

I haven't had the .357 Mag. cylinder in the revolver since fitting the 9mm cylinder.
If I need more "power" in a revolver, I will grab one of my .44's.
I do like the Birdshead grip frame for the "tractor" revolver, the rear/lower corner of the grip frame doesn't dig into the tractor seat unlike the OEM plow handle grip frame.

IMG_20250326_123900903_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

 

[Gunny268]

When the Wrangler came out, I got one for the daughter. She preferred the birdshead grip (I installed one on my OM Single Six). So, I modded a Wrangle for her. Stainless grip frame, with stainless pins, ejector rod, and base pin latch. Just enough Bling without looking gaudy.

She eventually bought an OM Single Six and had me build her a clone of MY GUN and gave me the Wrangler back. What to do with it now?

 

[Fox Mike]

 

[pupsdad]

Have you considered a brass grip frame?

Who sells brass birdshead grip frames

 

[Robb Barnes]

Ronnie Wells Grip frames out of Houston sells brass birds head grip frames for old and new model Rugers. My avatar gun wears one in that picture.

 

[pupsdad]

I ordered the steel in the white grip frame

 

[Gunny268]

I ordered the steel in the white grip frame

I'm undertaking a "new" gun project, and I'm installing a birdshead (the same as you) for a shooter grade blued NM (early '70s vintage). I don't know if you've fitted a grip frame to gun frame before, but I've done about a dozen or so. I hope you're aware that the grip frames from Midway are rough castings and not finished or fitted to your particular gun frame. The mounting holes should line up but the sides of the grip frame and tops of the "frame Ears" probably won't. Example is in the attached photos. So, with some patience, attention to detail, and some draw filing and sanding you should be good to go.

 

[Milvax]

It's not for everyone, and it's not for every gun. But when it works, it works. The key is managing the contrast so it looks intentional, not like you just grabbed whatever was in stock.

 

[needsmostuff]

Not only two-tone, but I have also been known to three-tone some as well.

 

[pupsdad]

Yes I am aware of the scope of work to fit the grip frame. I have done this type of work just not a grip frame.

 

[Gunny268]

pupsdad...Keep us posted on the work. I look forward to seeing it when done. Especially which grip panels you decide on.

 

[pupsdad]

I might make the grip panels I have a lot of linen micarta. I'll have to see if I feel up to it after fitting the frame.

 

[Deer Hunter]

^^^ WTH is that? ^^^

 

[GypsmJim]

^^^ WTH is that? ^^^

SPAM......don't click on it...

 

[Randyzzz]

^^^ WTH is that? ^^^

An invitation to be banned…

My first thought was “Binance? Gay accountants?”

 

[Deer Hunter]

SPAM......don't click on it...

Nope! I passed on it.

 

[GypsmJim]

I just finished a Single Six conversion to stainless Bisley. I think it looks cool, but that's just my opinion. You'll have to decide for yourself.

It was a new unfinished part. The fitting and polishing was not too bad.

My next project will be to convert another single action Ruger to a brass grip frame. I'm just saving my pennies to be able to afford to buy one from RW.

 

[Hondo44]

Midway has the steel in the white birdshead grip frame in stock. I have seen stainless grip frames installed on blue pistols. What opinions do you all have on a stainless grip frame on blue guns. I was thinking about waiting for stainless to come in stock but I'm not sure I'll like it once it's close up. The right color grips might help but I'm unsure.
Thanks

Buy the carbon steel, fit it and polish it bright. It will look exactly like polished stainless steel. Then you have the choice to blue it or or just leave it! It will never rust.

Carbon steel frame polished bright 10 years ago:

Carbon steel grip frame polished bright 6 years ago:

NM Flattop .44 with polished carbon steel grip frame 5 years ago:

3 NM Single Six 32 Mags; top w/polished carbon steel or it might be stainless, can't remember (8 yrs ago) w/o taking the grips off:

OM 3 screw, blued steel Birdshead:

Colt style Lightening double action model Birdshead two piece grip frame with Ruger trigger guard front strap. Much preferred to the Ruger birdshead:

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Hondo, that bottom gun is SWEET!
I've TRIED to like the Ruger birdshead grip...I WANT to like it! But in fact, I dislike it intensely.
I really wish they had gone with the Colt style grip, which feels more like a handshake from an old friend by comparison IMO.

 

[pupsdad]

I expected it to be rougher than this. I just need to fit and polish

 

[pupsdad]

Hondo, that bottom gun is SWEET!
I've TRIED to like the Ruger birdshead grip...I WANT to like it! But in fact, I dislike it intensely.
I really wish they had gone with the Colt style grip, which feels more like a handshake from an old friend by comparison IMO.

I love the Ruger Birdshead the only problem is they put it on some calibers that recoil a little heavy. Stay with rounds like 45 acp 32 H&R
22 lr & 22 wmr your better off. Never shot one in 357 mag but it might be a handful.

 

[pupsdad]

I'm putting the Birdshead grip frame on a new model single six 22 wmr I just found a deal on. It's a project gun scuffed up a bit and the base pin came apart. I won't have it in my hands for a week or so.

 

[Gunny268]

That, my friend, should turn out to be an outstanding six-shooter. A few years back I fitted up one of those "in-the-white" steel birdsheads to a blued Single Six Convertible that only came with the magnum cylinder. The gun was a real steal in its price. And it became my absolute favorite for pistol carry when I'm out on the property. I had originally planned to cerekote it but never did. Hondo44's examples of the polished look is tempting. Decisions, decisions. Maybe, for a little while, I will continue to procrastinate.