DIY Roundbutt?

[KWYJIBO]

The wheels are turning in my head again, and I'm planning a minor customization project.

I have a convertible .45 Blackhawk--nothing special about it, one of eleventeen thousand and still just the way it came from the factory. That never sits well with me. I like all my stuff to be just a little bit unique.

So... I'm thinking of rounding off the butt, which should be much easier on the alloy grip frame than on my stainless Vaquero. (I haven't done any such thing to the Vaquero, but have been pondering it for months.) While I'm at it, I'll fix a minor flaw that was left by the factory forward of the trigger guard. I could then send it off to CCR for a House Black Cera-hide coating. Since I'll be disassembling it myself, I'll only be into the coating 20 bucks plus a little bit for shipping. Then I can make some custom grips for it, or modify a set that I already have to match the rounded butt. Put the whole thing back together, and VOILA! a semi-custom Blackhawk.

I know this will not make it shoot any better, and it will probably impact the value negatively. That's okay, though. It's a $400 gun, not a highly collectible prize, and it will become my own, if you get my meaning.

What do you guys think of this idea? Who's done a similar modification? What am I failing to consider?

 

[JWhitmore44]

Sounds like a fun project and a great way to make a new favorite. Take pictures :)

My project gun based on a 32 H&R single six

Oh yea, don't forget the super hammer.

 

[Stoots]

Sounds like a fun project and a great way to make a new favorite. Take pictures :)

My project gun based on a 32 H&R single six

Oh yea, don't forget the super hammer.

That's nice!

:D

 

[Short Barrel]

I didn,t quite round the butt on this one but rather took as much flare off the front and back of the grip frame as I could.I didn't want to round the butt as I feel the xr3-red frame is already too short.Removing the flare and the circumference of the grips toward the bottom,allows the pinkie and ring fingers to wrap around better and control recoil.

Anyway,it is easy enough to do.I would suggest,if you want to build new grips,do it before final sanding on the grip frame and definitely before having the frame coated.

This way you can do the final sanding of the grips while they are on the frame.Actually,sanding the grip frame and grips together.This makes for a perfect fit and eliminates the possibility of the sandpaper rounding the sharp edges of grip frame or grips.Then you can send your frame off and start applying finish coats to your grips.Just be careful if you sand between coats,not to hit the sharp edges of the grips.

I actually do a lot of rasping and shaping of the grips on the gun so I can continually check fit and pointability as I go.

 

[KWYJIBO]

Thanks, Short Barrel. That's a heck of a nice looking one you've got there. What John Taffin would call a Perfect Packin' Pistol. Do you do the scrimshaw artwork yourself?

I like your idea of just putting a radius on the corners, and I may go that route. Thanks for your tips on the process--this is what I was hoping to find.

 

[Major T]

I have no problem with doing one to suit it's owner. I just don't get the round butt thing???? jack

 

[Short Barrel]

I did radius the corners slightly but "taking the flare off" is more than that.The bottom of the grip frame was 2 3/16".It is now 1 7/8".It allows the two smaller fingers to get a better purchase which helps keep the gun under control during heavy recoil.The grip panels are actually the same thickness from top to bottom (3/8").This helps also as they are meatier at the top than factory to distribute recoil impact and slimmer at the bottom,again,to let the smaller fingers wrap around better.

The gun weighs 34 oz and handles heavy loads surprisingly well.I did do the scrimshaw.

 

[Short Barrel]

Rear view of the grips.

 

[Muley Gil]

"I just don't get the round butt thing????"

Hand fit. I have a smallish hand and round butt double action revolvers fit my hand better. Also, a RB revolver conceals better that a square butt. As a matter of fact, grip size is more important than barrel length, when it comes to concealled carry.

 

[Short Barrel]

I agree about the round butt double action revolvers but the rounded butts on single actions isn't the same profile.It is usually just a radiusing of the back corner rather than the gentler curve of the double action's grip frame.There is only metal at the corner of the XR3-Red grip frame and just radiusing that doesn't improve things a lot for me,nor does the Birdshead.

 

[chris_]

Shortbarrel, is that gun beadblasted?

 

[blackwolfe]

Hey Short Barrel. Love that grip frame and the grips. Your work looks great. What is the grip material, and did you make the grips?

 

[Kevin]

Yea, Shortbarrel, I would like to know more as well. What tools did you use on the frame? I'm thinking it might look pretty nice on my new vaquero.

 

[Olsherm]

I just want to know what that gun was laying on when he took the pictures? It looks X rated kinda. HA HA

 

[chris_]

I just want to know what that gun was laying on when he took the pictures? It looks X rated kinda. HA HA

Ostrich

 

[Short Barrel]

The grips are antique ivory micarta.I used a Dremel and sanding drum,file and various grit emory paper.Later it was bead blasted by jim Stroh.

Olsherm,you have a dirty mind.