Grip Frame Question Old Model

[chugachjed]

I picked up an old model Super Blackhawk yesterday, the gun is blued but the grip frame is stainless and is labeled XRN -3. My question is related to the grips, the press in insert on the left grip pulls through the grip itself so the grips won't stay on tight. Which grips do I buy to replace these ones or is there a way to fix it.

Also, are there any issues with the grip frame not matching the firearm? The action and trigger are excellent but I'm concerned that there may be a compatibility issue.

Thanks.

 

[chugachjed]

Just to add the S/N indicates that this firearm was built in 1966.

 

[RugerHound]

The XRN3 grip frame was a re-design of the Old Model XR3-RED frames that would work with the New Models in 1972/73 time frame. Functionally it shouldn't be a problem with your OM.

Finding new grip panels should be easy. Either aftermarket or Ruger supplied for a New Model Blackhawk should fit.

For everything you ever wanted to know about grip frames, visit the link below! Excellent stuff!

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

 

[EDK]

Caryc has some posts on a spacer he uses with his custom grips to prevent pulling the insert out of the grips. I made one out of a nylon electrical spacer of some sort; reamed to fit the grip screw and trimmed to length. DIY. Read some, but basically de-grease the insert and super glue it back in place.

I replaced the factory grip frames on a bunch of Original Size VAQUEROS with either DRAGOON or HUNTER grip frames. Your stainess grip frame probably came off an OLD ARMY...I did that some years ago, but found a DRAGOON that fit my hands better. The collector value has been reduced by changing the grip frames; but if the gun fits you better, who cares! Collectors in the future will hate me for modifying my guns and not keeping the boxes and original parts...BUT I bought most of my guns used and didn't get the goodies anyhow.

Have you fired the gun yet? A NEW MODEL grip frame needs an adaptor for an OLD MODEL to function...Flatgate has a sticky on how to fabricate one.

 

[chugachjed]

I haven't fired it yet, going to get to the range tomorrow. It is my impression that the guy I bought it from has been shooting it this way (although not often) for ~20 years. We'll see...

My local gunshop sold me a set of grips for a standard Blackhawk, doesn't fit. If they won't take them back then I guess they'll fit on my single six but I'm a fan of the wood grips on that gun.

 

[Hondo44]

XRN-3 is a steel (not stainless) old model grip frame of standard size. It will function perfectly with your gun. It was introduced in 1985 for the Ruger Old Army blackpowder guns. It has a round trigger guard with the little plunger type trigger return spring behind the trigger. It is shorter than the Super BH grip frame and takes standard size grips. Your grip frame is carbon steel but not blued.

In what way don't the new grips fit, are they too long?

A stainless grip frame number would start with a K. Unfortunately in the link you were given above about grip frames, the # you have was left out of the box listed for 1975: "Introduced steel in 1985 for blued Old Army. Has wide trigger slot".

 

[chugachjed]

So as an experiment I pulled the grips off my new model single six and sure enough, perfect fit. You're right about the round trigger guard but the grip frame is definitely stainless. I'll try to figure out how to post pictures later.

 

[BlackEye]

Does it have the wide trigger slot?

 

[BlackEye]

Does it have the wide trigger slot?

 

[chugachjed]

Yep on the wide trigger and the plunger type return spring.

 

[chugachjed]

Here's a couple pictures.

 

[BlackEye]

Yep, ROA stainless.

 

[chugachjed]

ROA stainless? I'm not familiar with that abbv.

 

[BlackEye]

That is the Old Army, black powder gun.The Gunblast site lists it:


1975

1962/1963 XR3-RED frame produced in stainless steel for Old Army,marked KXR3.

Introduced steel in 1985 for blued Old Army. Has wide trigger slot.

Stainless steel; steel,blued

 

[BlackEye]

It has aluminum XR3-Red grip frame features (used on the 3 screws) but is made from steel with the addition of the wide trigger slot.

 

[Hondo44]

chugachjed,

How did you test for stainless steel?
Very strange, my ROA stainless grip frame is marked KXR-3.

 

[chugachjed]

Maybe the pictures will work this time.

 

[chugachjed]

chugachjed,

How did you test for stainless steel?

I'm honestly just assuming by looking at it, it isn't blued and it just looks like stainless.

 

[eric conrad]

The K is in the circle. I bought one as a blue grip frame, someone had painted it. Nice job :lol: Didn't take long to sell it.
Eric

 

[Hondo44]

Well Mystery solved thanks to Eric. I hadn't seen the K marking like that before and didn't pick it up in the photo until eric clued us as to what to look for. You were right, it's stainless.

Anyway good looking gun, you have a fine OM Super there with my preferred grip frame as well.

So apparently the gunshop sold you a set of Super BH grips. He should have known better; the 4 5/8" and 5 1/2" barrel length Super BHs have always had the standard grip size. But none of the Old Models so if you told him 7 1/2" barrel or OM, that may have thrown him off.

Wait a minute, what barrel length is that? It looks too short for 7 1/2". If it's a 6 1/2" barrel, that's a scarce OM if not cut off.

 

[chugachjed]

It's 7.5" the cell phone pic might throw off perspective. Thanks for all the info.