brass frame value?
- Thread starter roylt
- Start date
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Birdshead: if blue, for a NV or Flat top w/Ruger's indexing pawl (post 2005), and with grips, $150
Brass plow handle aftermarket, $50
Brass plow handle aftermarket, $50
Jim tell me where the $50 aftermarket brass frames are at, I'm looking all the wrong places! Believe the two plow handles I have were about $150 each, and I lucked into the birdshead at just under $100 and was happy getting all three.
Midway carries the unfinished birdshead frames at $104-112.
Midway carries the unfinished birdshead frames at $104-112.
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
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Brass grip frames (plow or birdshead) sell regularly in the $200-$300 range....you can trust and believe if I found some for sale at $50 I would buy them all
Hondo44
Hawkeye
He didn't say SBH brass, just brass plow handle. The only brass standard plow handle I've seen were crap and I wouldn't give more than $50. But for a SBH brassy I agree with everyone on the price .
Well, I'm still a bit green and don't know the difference from simple pictures online. I may try for the brass but getting the bird for sure. It is stainless and will look great on the single ten. (I hope...)
Thanks guys, Appreciate the input.
Thanks guys, Appreciate the input.
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
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Hondo44 said:
which ones are you referring to? Qualite? Power Custom?
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Roylt, medicdave, TINCANBANDIT,
Most non-factory brass grip frames one comes across are usually out of their original packaging, and unmarked with their Maker identity. Therefore those I've seen and/or handled that I judged as junk are of unknown identity to me. Most on auctions are of unknown origin as well. But I've not handled any that I would pay more than $50 for if I wanted one, due to inaccurate contours, wrong grip angle, ill drilled or non drilled screw holes, porous castings full of air bubble holes, too skinny to be fitted to a Ruger frame, etc., just junk IMO. The pitfalls are endless, and usually not obvious until one buys it, gets it home, and attempts to fit to their gun! Recognize, most that are on the market are previously owned but not used because the original owner found out the hard way, about the poor quality and pitfalls.
But I would take medicdave's word for the quality of the Qualite brand. Also the Power Custom GFs I've used are superior. But I'm only experienced with and used their SS and Carbon steel versions. If they make a brass version, I have every confidence that it would be superior as well.
There are some members on this forum who are very knowledgeable about the various non-Ruger brass Dragoon grip frames. According to their posts, some are good and some stink. Even if unmarked, these guys can tell their origin by recognition, the mould features, or distinctive casting marks. But never having been interested in brass frames, I didn't document their assessments of the various brands. But I'm sure you can find those posts with a search or get their current input with a new thread about "Non-Ruger brass Dragoon grip frames". Then whether it's just a standard size plow handle brass GF you want, not a Dragoon grip frame, you'll still know the brand names of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Hope this helps,
Most non-factory brass grip frames one comes across are usually out of their original packaging, and unmarked with their Maker identity. Therefore those I've seen and/or handled that I judged as junk are of unknown identity to me. Most on auctions are of unknown origin as well. But I've not handled any that I would pay more than $50 for if I wanted one, due to inaccurate contours, wrong grip angle, ill drilled or non drilled screw holes, porous castings full of air bubble holes, too skinny to be fitted to a Ruger frame, etc., just junk IMO. The pitfalls are endless, and usually not obvious until one buys it, gets it home, and attempts to fit to their gun! Recognize, most that are on the market are previously owned but not used because the original owner found out the hard way, about the poor quality and pitfalls.
But I would take medicdave's word for the quality of the Qualite brand. Also the Power Custom GFs I've used are superior. But I'm only experienced with and used their SS and Carbon steel versions. If they make a brass version, I have every confidence that it would be superior as well.
There are some members on this forum who are very knowledgeable about the various non-Ruger brass Dragoon grip frames. According to their posts, some are good and some stink. Even if unmarked, these guys can tell their origin by recognition, the mould features, or distinctive casting marks. But never having been interested in brass frames, I didn't document their assessments of the various brands. But I'm sure you can find those posts with a search or get their current input with a new thread about "Non-Ruger brass Dragoon grip frames". Then whether it's just a standard size plow handle brass GF you want, not a Dragoon grip frame, you'll still know the brand names of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Hope this helps,
All good stuff for sure. The only reason I was thinking about brass is I found a new in box unit that had not been fitted. The more I think of it I feel a brass frame would look good on blued pistols but not so much on stainless. I have not seen a lot of brass frame guns but that is my limited opinion.
The brass was sold out from under me but it was probably a blessing as my temptation level has been weak of late.
I did get the bird head frame though. So many projects and not enough money.... Maybe in time, I just need more patience. (You know kids and their toys, haha)
The brass was sold out from under me but it was probably a blessing as my temptation level has been weak of late.
I did get the bird head frame though. So many projects and not enough money.... Maybe in time, I just need more patience. (You know kids and their toys, haha)
A high percentage of the "plow" brass that is out there WAS Qualite/ QPR/ MK Tech all the same Mfg. (Milt & Karen Morrison) The quality varied all over the place over the years. Most of the birdshead brass were theirs too, made from an alteration in the second mold.
NOTE; the solid added to the second mold so that it could be RB/ Birdshead.
Finding these anymore is difficult at best, hopefully they have not been messed with, but most I have come across have been "attempted" install, , , , and then One finds out its not a hour job. Me I go slow over days, here and there working on it and dialing it in, lots of on & off.
$150 for one that can be "used" to a high level of fit & finish was a deal IMO.
Hondo mentions if it's been "messed" with then the value is in what ever YOU want to spend to deal with, solve, or live with the problems/ imperfections.
They are not made anymore, I have a few left in my stash that are useable, I would not consider anything less than $300.
A Ruger Dragoon frame typically bring $250-350 made of really yellow soft brass and most had porosity on the side flats, IMO, not the best casting, but it is what it is, FACTORY.
Now if you want to get into the Brass Gripframe Business the Qualite/MK Mold is for sale ~$3,000 and from what I understand comes with some info & help from Milt & Karen.
Here's some rare eye candy.
NOTE; the solid added to the second mold so that it could be RB/ Birdshead.
Finding these anymore is difficult at best, hopefully they have not been messed with, but most I have come across have been "attempted" install, , , , and then One finds out its not a hour job. Me I go slow over days, here and there working on it and dialing it in, lots of on & off.
$150 for one that can be "used" to a high level of fit & finish was a deal IMO.
Hondo mentions if it's been "messed" with then the value is in what ever YOU want to spend to deal with, solve, or live with the problems/ imperfections.
They are not made anymore, I have a few left in my stash that are useable, I would not consider anything less than $300.
A Ruger Dragoon frame typically bring $250-350 made of really yellow soft brass and most had porosity on the side flats, IMO, not the best casting, but it is what it is, FACTORY.
Now if you want to get into the Brass Gripframe Business the Qualite/MK Mold is for sale ~$3,000 and from what I understand comes with some info & help from Milt & Karen.
Here's some rare eye candy.
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2014
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- 216
I just missed this one last night on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ruger-Brass-Grip-Frame-for-Vaquero-Blackhawk-or-single-six-/261923378714?
I have a birdshead one that I believe is from Qualite
It fit pretty well, I did have to file it a bit to fit the frame, otherwise everything was hunky-dory. I made my own grip panels, partly because I wanted to and I had heard these frames were larger that Ruger's so factory and aftermarket grips would not fit so well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ruger-Brass-Grip-Frame-for-Vaquero-Blackhawk-or-single-six-/261923378714?
I have a birdshead one that I believe is from Qualite
It fit pretty well, I did have to file it a bit to fit the frame, otherwise everything was hunky-dory. I made my own grip panels, partly because I wanted to and I had heard these frames were larger that Ruger's so factory and aftermarket grips would not fit so well.
Tincanbandit, I would agree that is a Qualite/MK.
The missed on on EBay was a deal! @ $153 shipped.
As that seller mentions they are overcast in size, nothing a file & time won't fix and you end up with a near perfect fit.
FWIW; any only because I have my photobucket open and it's working today,
IF anybody wants to fiddle around with some brass parts. Here is some leftovers that I'm not going to fiddle with. Let's go with Hondo's $50 add $5 shipping or will trade for a set of #4 medium, blue or hawkeye matte, scope rings in good like new condition.
Here is a picture of how to build a Strut Mainspring retainer that might help.
Stolen picture, not mine.
The missed on on EBay was a deal! @ $153 shipped.
As that seller mentions they are overcast in size, nothing a file & time won't fix and you end up with a near perfect fit.
FWIW; any only because I have my photobucket open and it's working today,
IF anybody wants to fiddle around with some brass parts. Here is some leftovers that I'm not going to fiddle with. Let's go with Hondo's $50 add $5 shipping or will trade for a set of #4 medium, blue or hawkeye matte, scope rings in good like new condition.
Here is a picture of how to build a Strut Mainspring retainer that might help.
Stolen picture, not mine.
Interesting stuff here.
Still happy missing out on the brass. Taking a day trip with my kids Saturday so the money will be well spent with them. Another brass frame may come along someday but Saturday will be gone forever.
Thanks guys,
Still happy missing out on the brass. Taking a day trip with my kids Saturday so the money will be well spent with them. Another brass frame may come along someday but Saturday will be gone forever.
Thanks guys,
TINCANBANDIT
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2014
- Messages
- 216
G2 said:Tincanbandit, I would agree that is a Qualite/MK.
The missed on on EBay was a deal! @ $153 shipped.
As that seller mentions they are overcast in size, nothing a file & time won't fix and you end up with a near perfect fit.
FWIW; any only because I have my photobucket open and it's working today,
IF anybody wants to fiddle around with some brass parts. Here is some leftovers that I'm not going to fiddle with. Let's go with Hondo's $50 add $5 shipping or will trade for a set of #4 medium, blue or hawkeye matte, scope rings in good like new condition.
Here is a picture of how to build a Strut Mainspring retainer that might help.
Stolen picture, not mine.
funny you should post this....I was inspired by Sharps40's 1860 Blackhawk project and am now in the process of adapting one of those to my old model 357 Blackhawk
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=220903
