difference between blackhawk and sbh grips?

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Other than the trigger guard shape is there a difference in the frame size?

I have a super black hawk hunter with rounded trigger guard, which version grips do I need? Is there a way anybody in the know might be able to post some pics to help enlighten this ignorant fool?

Bill's article is indeed a very good technical info resource. But unfortunately too many people try to interpret those ridiculous frame marking just because they want to buy a new pair of grips.

It's not really that complicated. In the 50+ years that Ruger has been in business, they have used basically three sizes of grip frames on their single actions. I'm talking basically plow handle style grips here. There have been a few oddities along the way but not that many were produced and if you have one of those, you should find it in Bill's reference article.

But, to get to the basics, if you want to buy a new set of grips, you can find out what you need by referring to the drawing below. Just draw yourself a three inch square and place one of your stock grips in it. It will fit like one of the drawings below. I don't pay any attention to those frame markings.

 

[Hondo44]

No. The SBH w/square trigger guard and the Hunter both have the same size grip, the one in the bottom sketch above. Just for clarity, the SBHs with barrels of 5 1/2" or shorter use the standard Blackhawk and single six grip frame with round guard and their grip is the size in the upper left sketch.

I don't think pictures would help as well as Cary's sketches above with the measurements because you can't really see the difference in a photo.
Does that help?

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Yes. i think that helps.

So even though the trigger guard is round, the sbh hunter still uses the large grip frame?

 

[caryc]

There is one photo that might help you a little. In the photo below you can see that the on the Blackhawk sized grip, the medallion has about the same amount of wood in front of the medallion as it has on top of it.

On the larger SBH sized grip, the medallion has about twice the amount of wood in front of it as it does on top of it.

I specialize in Ruger grips and in 9 years I have never asked a customer what is marked on their grip frame. Ruger just puts those markings there to confuse people and they've done a good job of it.

The Hunter and Super Blackhawk grip frames are the same size as the larger grips in the picture and my drawings. The only difference being that the SBH has the square backed trigger guard.

 

[hutchman]

Great comparison photo!

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Thanks!

 

[flatgate]

And, prior to release of the Super Blackhawk Hunter model or if a shooter wants to use a steel grip frame that offers the size of the Super Blackhawk without a square backed trigger guard, many of us "can't leave well enough alone" guys have been cutting and reshaping the classic old Super Blackhawk trigger guards so they are "rounded".

Oh, yeah, a Bisley hammer can be modified and properly fitted........



flatgate

 

[wwb]

And, prior to release of the Super Blackhawk Hunter model or if a shooter wants to use a steel grip frame that offers the size of the Super Blackhawk without a square backed trigger guard, many of us "can't leave well enough alone" guys have been cutting and reshaping the classic old Super Blackhawk trigger guards so they are "rounded".

Oh, yeah, a Bisley hammer can be modified and properly fitted........



flatgate

....And installing a fluted cylinder.

 

[flatgate]

Well, this ol' shooter is a flat top framed Blackhawk. Factory original BKH-40, i.e. a 10 inch barreled .44 mag. Early '60's vintage.

It shoots great!

flatgate

 

[wwb]

Well, this ol' shooter is a flat top framed Blackhawk. Factory original BKH-40, i.e. a 10 inch barreled .44 mag. Early '60's vintage.

It shoots great!

flatgate

Yup. Maybe I oughta pay attention to the frame. Or do you have one of those REALLY rare flat top Supers? :wink: