I notice that most all new Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk guns use the alloy steel grip frames. Being new to Rugers did any of the Blackhawks use solid steel not alloy? If so what calibers and years? I am sure this sis a pretty simple question if you know Rugers but I do not. Just give me as much info as you want. If I am wasting your time just do not comment. Thanks.I just got a Buckeye Special from around 1990 in 38-40/10mm and I think it is all steel. Is the matching gun in 32-20/32mag also all steel? I am guessing on the 38-40 from looking at it and the weight.correct me if I am wrong.All info appreciated.
Blackhawk question
- Thread starter RRMan03
- Start date
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Steel is made of Iron and Carbon only and has not been used for almost 75 years .
Alloy steel has other property's like Chrome and other metals added. Anything said to be made of steel today is made of alloyed steel even stainless steel is an alloy but has a high Chromium content to retard rust. :wink:
Alloy steel has other property's like Chrome and other metals added. Anything said to be made of steel today is made of alloyed steel even stainless steel is an alloy but has a high Chromium content to retard rust. :wink:
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Most all the New Model Blackhawks use an aluminum gripframe except for the Flatops. The Super Blackhawks and Bisleys and Flatops are steel.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
By alloy steel, Ruger refers to Chrome Molybdenum alloy steel meaning blued steel as opposed to Alum alloy or stainless steel. Your Buckeye is all Chromoly including grip frame and ER housing. So is the 38-40; most special models are and all Super BHs of recent manufacture (earlier ones had alum ERHs). See below for complete application details of all models.
Which Blue Models use Alloy Steel or Alum Alloy GFs and/or ERHs:
Blue steel GFs* on the following:
All New Model Blackhawk flat top and New Vaquero mid-size main frames, XR3 size (also cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick).
All Super BHs: XR3-RED size on short brl. lengths; dragoon size on 7 1/2" & 10" barrels.
All original full-size Vaqueros & .32 Mag Vaq. style single sixes had the XR3-RED size SHORT GFs (500 .32 Mag Vaqs had the XR3-RED size.
All Bisleys.
Old Army beginning 1985.
Aluminum alloy grip frames on the following:
All blue single sixes 22 and 32 (except the 32 Mag Vaq. style and Bisley 22s & 32s).
All full size main frame Blackhawks XR3-RED size (not including Bisley Blackhawks).
All Old Models, XR3-RED GF, pre 1973 (except Super BH).
All Old Models, XR3 GF, pre 1963.
Old Army pre 1985.
Steel ERH*:
All New Model Blackhawk flat top and New Vaquero mid-size main frames.
All Super BHs in all barrel lengths (including 5” ERH on 44 & 357 Max 10” barrel) from the recent past c. 10 years.
All original full-size main frame Vaqueros.
All old models including Bearcats prior to c. 1962.
Alloy ERH*:
Guns with alloy grip frames usually have alloy ejector rod housings except early old models which had steel until c. 1962.
Also, except for recent years, NM Super BHs and early original full size Vaqueros had alloy ERHs.
Stainless and blue Bearcats have alloy ERHs and old model Bearcats which had steel until c. 1962.
*NOTE: There are a several dealer exclusive model exceptions to the above like the Buckeye convertibles, etc.
Which Blue Models use Alloy Steel or Alum Alloy GFs and/or ERHs:
Blue steel GFs* on the following:
All New Model Blackhawk flat top and New Vaquero mid-size main frames, XR3 size (also cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick).
All Super BHs: XR3-RED size on short brl. lengths; dragoon size on 7 1/2" & 10" barrels.
All original full-size Vaqueros & .32 Mag Vaq. style single sixes had the XR3-RED size SHORT GFs (500 .32 Mag Vaqs had the XR3-RED size.
All Bisleys.
Old Army beginning 1985.
Aluminum alloy grip frames on the following:
All blue single sixes 22 and 32 (except the 32 Mag Vaq. style and Bisley 22s & 32s).
All full size main frame Blackhawks XR3-RED size (not including Bisley Blackhawks).
All Old Models, XR3-RED GF, pre 1973 (except Super BH).
All Old Models, XR3 GF, pre 1963.
Old Army pre 1985.
Steel ERH*:
All New Model Blackhawk flat top and New Vaquero mid-size main frames.
All Super BHs in all barrel lengths (including 5” ERH on 44 & 357 Max 10” barrel) from the recent past c. 10 years.
All original full-size main frame Vaqueros.
All old models including Bearcats prior to c. 1962.
Alloy ERH*:
Guns with alloy grip frames usually have alloy ejector rod housings except early old models which had steel until c. 1962.
Also, except for recent years, NM Super BHs and early original full size Vaqueros had alloy ERHs.
Stainless and blue Bearcats have alloy ERHs and old model Bearcats which had steel until c. 1962.
*NOTE: There are a several dealer exclusive model exceptions to the above like the Buckeye convertibles, etc.
Hondo:Thanks for that list. That is waht I was asking probably in the wrong way. Now I know what has what.The reason I ask is Iam not a fan of aluminum in any way. Just as soon have carbon or plastic. Chromoly is my choice in a big heavy SA Revolver.Can you tell me if any 22's beside the old Bearcats are made of Chromoly? I know there are many in aluminum and stainless but what about blue steel 22's. And maybe again I am asking the wrong question. Just short on knowledge here is my problem. And I absolutely love the Buckeye Special in both fit,feel and the way it was made. It seems much better on fit and finish than a brand new Blackhawk I looked at today.Could it be the different metal?
Hondo44
Hawkeye
RR,
Bearcats: the 1st ones are alum alloy. The all steel (except ERH) Bearcats are the "Super" Bearcat old models that came out in 1971. All new model Bearcats are the same. Steel ERHs are available after market.
Single Sixes: all the other Chromoly blue steel (non-Bisley) .22 Rugers are Single Sixes, with & w/o adj sights, all have alum alloy grip frames as mentioned above except for a few distributor exclusive models like these with fixed sights for sale here on this forum:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=178739
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=181830
Steel grip frames from other new models can easily be swapped onto the 22s. They are interchangeble with a few exceptions where only slight modifications are needed.
The special models like the Buckeyes generally do have a slightly higher quality. But you're right, it is the different metal, recognize that the alum alloy GFs are not fitted to the guns during assembly and finishing, like the steel GFs. They are prefinished and powder coated (used to be anodized), then assembled to guns. So the models with steel GFs will always be better fitted and look nicer.
Bearcats: the 1st ones are alum alloy. The all steel (except ERH) Bearcats are the "Super" Bearcat old models that came out in 1971. All new model Bearcats are the same. Steel ERHs are available after market.
Single Sixes: all the other Chromoly blue steel (non-Bisley) .22 Rugers are Single Sixes, with & w/o adj sights, all have alum alloy grip frames as mentioned above except for a few distributor exclusive models like these with fixed sights for sale here on this forum:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=178739
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=181830
Steel grip frames from other new models can easily be swapped onto the 22s. They are interchangeble with a few exceptions where only slight modifications are needed.
The special models like the Buckeyes generally do have a slightly higher quality. But you're right, it is the different metal, recognize that the alum alloy GFs are not fitted to the guns during assembly and finishing, like the steel GFs. They are prefinished and powder coated (used to be anodized), then assembled to guns. So the models with steel GFs will always be better fitted and look nicer.
Jim you are dead on about the look and fit just because of the way they are made and put together. I just like a revolver that looks like it was put together by someone who actually cared not by a CNC Robot that I can program to cut it,fit it and assemble it. I am just OLD SCHOOL when it come to my guns.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
I sure do agree with you. In fact I install steel GFs and ERHs on almost every SA Ruger I own both old and new models. XR3 size on single sixes and XR3-RED size on larger guns with recoil.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I got a steel ERH for one of my projects by accident. Don't think the seller knew what it was. I'd like at least one more accidental gift myself....
Hondo:
I had not thought about that but I am sure it is dooable to convert from alum. to steel.Being new to the revolver world those are the things I miss.You could customize your own gun.Just order from Ruger the Frame and ERH that you need and fits and if you are not a great worker with firearms lots of my friends are really Ruger addictsand probably have done it already. I just like that darker look on the steel and the fit if done correctly.Like I said OLD SCHOOL.
I had not thought about that but I am sure it is dooable to convert from alum. to steel.Being new to the revolver world those are the things I miss.You could customize your own gun.Just order from Ruger the Frame and ERH that you need and fits and if you are not a great worker with firearms lots of my friends are really Ruger addictsand probably have done it already. I just like that darker look on the steel and the fit if done correctly.Like I said OLD SCHOOL.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Yep, I was born Old School and I'll go out Old School converting many Ruger SAs to all steel along the way:
OM Super example:
If you ever get to the point of wanting to swap for steel parts, just let me know. There's many nuances and options to know and to make it easier.
OM Super example:
If you ever get to the point of wanting to swap for steel parts, just let me know. There's many nuances and options to know and to make it easier.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I raise my hand in anticipation of another accidental steel ERH for my OMSS.....
