Blackhawk Flattop 45LC/45zACP

[Tommyhof]

Just bought a Stainless Blackhawk flattop. looking for the Houge rubber grips. Will Model 83000 fit? Seems these are for the 'regular' Blackhawk, will these work OK?

 

[Hondo44]

The Flattops (and New Vaqueros) have the XR3 size grip frame which is 7/16" wide. So any grip made for the regular Blackhawk which has the XR3-RED size grip frame and is 1/2" wide, will likely fit loosely.

The website confirms the 83000 grip will not fit your Flattop and they do not make rubber grips for it.
Here's the page:
https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruge...aquero-new-single-six/overmolded-rubber-grips

Grips for your gun are here:
https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruge...le-six-new-vaquero-sas-vaquero/hardwood-grips
And here:
https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruge...ory-pearlized-polymer-micarta-scrimshaw-grips

 

[Tommyhof]

Thanks Hondo. I'll get used to it, I have too!
I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy. I'll probably only shoot 45ACP, which I do load for.

Thanks

 

[contender]

"I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy.'

You will save a lot of money if you get the dies & such to reload the .45 Colt.

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks Hondo. I'll get used to it, I have too!
I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy. I'll probably only shoot 45ACP, which I do load for.

Thanks

You might consider installing the XR3-RED size grip frame that the rubber grips are made for. It's interchangeable with yours. Does your gun have the internal lock, or was it made after 2012?

 

[s4s4u]

Thanks Hondo. I'll get used to it, I have too!
I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy. I'll probably only shoot 45ACP, which I do load for.

Thanks

If you already load 45 ACP, all you need is a set of dies for 45 Colt. The 45 Colt is much more versatile than the 45 ACP

 

[ChrisL]

Just bought a Stainless Blackhawk flattop. looking for the Houge rubber grips. Will Model 83000 fit? Seems these are for the 'regular' Blackhawk, will these work OK?

Where did you find it? Lipsys hasn't made them available to me dealer for a long time now.

 

[Tommyhof]

You might consider installing the XR3-RED size grip frame that the rubber grips are made for. It's interchangeable with yours. Does your gun have the internal lock, or was it made after 2012?

Made in 2024. So is that doable to change out?
Thanks

 

[Tommyhof]

Where did you find it? Lipsys hasn't made them available to me dealer for a long time now.

Private sale in Virginia Beach.

 

[Tommyhof]

I reload 380, 9mm, 38, 357 and 45ACP. Really don't want to start another, but I probably will.
I don't have any LG primers, I reload small primers in 45 to keep it simple.

 

[eveled]

I have the Lypsey flat top .45 too.

It is an absolute joy to shoot in .45acp. The little empties practically fall out on their own. It can be re loaded from a 1911 magazine.

As far as.45 Colt being more versatile than .45acp. Keep in mind the Flattops cannot handle Ruger only loads. I believe .45acp +p is the limit.

I wouldn’t bother re loading .45Colt unless you get a large frame BlackHawk

 

[Tommyhof]

I have the Lypsey flat top .45 too.

It is an absolute joy to shoot in .45acp. The little empties practically fall out on their own. It can be re loaded from a 1911 magazine.

As far as.45 Colt being more versatile than .45acp. Keep in mind the Flattops cannot handle Ruger only loads. I believe .45acp +p is the limit.

I wouldn’t bother re loading .45Colt unless you get a large frame BlackHawk

Thanks, that's some good info. I have 2XL hands, that's why I was looking for larger grips, primarily rubber and change them out when I want, but I believe I'll handle it. I have a 1911 and a Shield 45.
Never had a 45 revolver, I have 3 GP100s.

Thanks to all, really appreciate your responses and time.

 

[Hondo44]

Made in 2024. So is that doable to change out?
Thanks

Absolutely, easiest grip frame swap there is. Since you have a stainless gun, if there's minor fitting needed to the height of the grip frame "ears" around the hammer, you won't have to touchup bluing. And since your frame doesn't have a lock, it's mainspring is the same as the new grip frame.

But don't buy a new grip frame! They are oversize and need a lot of fitting and polishing. Buy a take off; post a want ad in this forum's classifieds.

Get one from a gun produced after 1998. That's when the mating surface on the main frame (for the ears on the grip frame) were raised so Bisley grip frames would fit any main frame to simplify production. Also made it easier for owners to exchange standard plow handle grip frames for Bisley grip frames.

 

[Hankus]

@Tommyhof what @Hondo44 said. You might even want to look at a Bisley gf with your larger hands.
I love my stainless Flattop .45 convertible. It’s what I usually carry out in the woods, but with the .45C cylinder. For me, .45ACP is for the range/plinking, at least in this gun.

 

[Tommyhof]

I need to check out a bisley to see how that fits.

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks, that's some good info. I have 2XL hands, that's why I was looking for larger grips, primarily rubber and change them out when I want, but I believe I'll handle it. I have a 1911 and a Shield 45.
Never had a 45 revolver, I have 3 GP100s.

Thanks to all, really appreciate your responses and time.

You might like the stainless Super BH Hunter dragoon grip with round trigger guard.

 

[GYJ44]

Just tuck your pinky under, like God and Sam Colt intended.

 

[s4s4u]

Never had a 45 revolver, I have 3 GP100s.

I prefer the grip on the GP-100/SRH, and the Bisley feels similar in that regard. The plowhandle is fine for soft shooting cowboy action stuff, but there is a reason you see the Bisley handle on most of the heavy custom builds from Linebaugh, JRH, Reeder, etc....

 

[Tommyhof]

I shot about 50 45ACPs today. Really enjoyed shooting, but my knuckle it feel the recoil. Going tomorrow as well, maybe try moving my hand a bit to clear my knuckle.
I'm on the hunt for a Bisley grip LOL.

 

[Hondo44]

That's because of the old model XR3 size grip frame; it has 1/8" less space between the back of the trigger guard and the front grip strap. Imagine shooting the first 44 Mag Blackhawk when it came out in 1959....with your grip frame. That was the reason it was replaced by the XR3-RED (redesigned) size grip frame in 1963.

 

[eveled]

It’s really weird to realize even though you are gripping tight, somehow that space between your knuckle and trigger guard disappears. I only notice it on my .44 Super BlackHawk.

 

[contender]

If you really want to look at a grip frame difference,, and more space behind the trigger guard & your knuckle,, look at the different grip frames Ronnie Wells offers.

 

[GYJ44]

I shot about 50 45ACPs today. Really enjoyed shooting, but my knuckle it feel the recoil. Going tomorrow as well, maybe try moving my hand a bit to clear my knuckle.
I'm on the hunt for a Bisley grip LOL.

Are you trying to cram all your fingers onto the grip?

 

[Tommyhof]

Are you trying to cram all your fingers onto the grip?

Not really, but a full grip is nice. Went to the range today, my buddy brought brought 45 LC, it was really nice to shoot. Very mild, 200 SWC copper plated. 6.2 titegroup.
Wasn't planning on reloading 45LC but it was just so nice.
I'm not going to change this gun, but I am on the lookout for a bisley 45 combo. At 72 I need to spend some of the kids inheritance.

 

[vlavalle]

"I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy.'

You will save a lot of money if you get the dies & such to reload the .45 Colt.

 

[vlavalle]

I also own a Ruger .45LC convertible and looked into buying all the reloading equipment. I would have to shoot over a couple of thousand rounds a year to recoop from buying already manufactured ammo. It is just too costly to buy the reloading equipment. You can get .45 LC ammo as low as about $.60-.$70/rd. I have a ballistics file with 4,000 entries and with 35 handgun and 26 rifle calibers, where each entry is an online link to where you can buy that ammo, along with all the ballistics info, and the bullet typeas well, price, an availability. if you want this free file, just message me here. IT IS IN PDF Format

 

[vlavalle]

I also own a Ruger .45LC convertible and looked into buying all the reloading equipment. I would have to shoot over a couple of thousand rounds a year to recoop from buying already manufactured ammo. It is just too costly to buy the reloading equipment. You can get .45 LC ammo as low as about $.60-.$70/rd. I have a ballistics file with 4,000 entries and with 35 handgun and 26 rifle calibers, where each entry is an online link to where you can buy that ammo, along with all the ballistics info, and the bullet typeas well, price, an availability. if you want this free file, just message me here. IT IS IN PDF Format

 

[vlavalle]

Are you trying to cram all your fingers onto the grip?

Are you trying to cram all your fingers onto the grip?

What are you shooting With? .45 ACP IS PRETTY WEAK SO THERE SHOULD NOT BE MUCH RECOIL I SHOOT .45 ACP in my RUGER .45 5.5" BLACKHAWK CONVERTABLE. AND EVEN WHEN I SHOOT THE HIGH END POWERUL .45 ACP THERE IS HARDLY ANY RECOIL.

 

[Rclark]

I wouldn’t bother re loading .45Colt unless you get a large frame BlackHawk

Disagree. .45 Colt is 'THE' cartridge to shoot in a rimmed cartridge revolver like a Single Action -- semi auto rimless need not apply IMHO. Plus .45 Colt works great in mid-frame flattops (New Vaquero, and SAA included) as you can load from power-puff loads to Tier 2 loads as needed, or even build some Black Powder cartridges. My large frame .45 Colt revolvers are gathering a bit of dust now.

You shouldn't need any rubber when shooting .45 Colt or .45 ACP unless shooting ROL loads or hands/arms have a medical reason (like arthritis).

I don't know why people talk about reloading equipment 'cost'... But really should just treat it as an investment in your shooting future and write it off. I've used the same single stage press, scales, powder measure since the early 80s. A couple years ago I did buy a new Iron Press as I wanted to start using the Hornady lock-n-load system. Didn't 'need' it as older press was still functioning fine, just wanted to. Anyway, buy once and done. Then you can reload any cartridge to 'your' specifications from mild to wild. No relying on factory availability/price/power/bullet and also save you money on every round you shoot ... which allows you to shoot more. And loading for a new cartridge, only costs you a set of dies and a shell holder. Done. My 2 cents, err, 5 cents now.

BTW, the last time I did a cost analysis on my .45 Colt reloads. I was at around $25 a hundred.

 

[GYJ44]

Disagree. .45 Colt is 'THE' cartridge to shoot in a rimmed cartridge revolver like a Single Action -- semi auto rimless need not apply IMHO. Plus .45 Colt works great in mid-frame flattops (New Vaquero, and SAA included) as you can load from power-puff loads to Tier 2 loads as needed, or even build some Black Powder cartridges. My large frame .45 Colt revolvers are gathering a bit of dust now.

You shouldn't need any rubber when shooting .45 Colt or .45 ACP unless shooting ROL loads or hands/arms have a medical reason (like arthritis).

I don't know why people talk about reloading equipment 'cost'... But really should just treat it as an investment in your shooting future and write it off. I've used the same single stage press, scales, powder measure since the early 80s. A couple years ago I did buy a new Iron Press as I wanted to start using the Hornady lock-n-load system. Didn't 'need' it as older press was still functioning fine, just wanted to. Anyway, buy once and done. Then you can reload any cartridge to 'your' specifications from mild to wild. No relying on factory availability/price/power/bullet and also save you money on every round you shoot ... which allows you to shoot more. And loading for a new cartridge, only costs you a set of dies and a shell holder. Done. My 2 cents, err, 5 cents now.

BTW, the last time I did a cost analysis on my .45 Colt reloads. I was at around $25 a hundred.

Yep, I always thought the cost of .45Colt ammo EASILY justified reloading for it. Others like the 9mm and 5.56, not so much.