Corbi said:
I see used aluminum grip frames for sale. Will any factory aluminum grip frame fit any steel Blackhawk? If not which grip frame should I look for?
How difficult is it to fit a grip frame?
How much weight do you think I will save by doing this swap?
Thanks,
Corbi
Corbi,
Contender is correct. Answers to your questions:
* All ruger SA grip frames with interchange from the standpoint of the screw pattern from single six to Super BH and from Old Model to New Model. See below for simple adaptions required for certain applications such as yours. You need # XR & L if you want a grip frame to fit your hammer spring and lock. Or #XRN-3RED to eliminate the lock and its extra weight; you'll need a standard hammer spring, strut and spring retainer, cheap parts. All your other grip parts can be used. You will need different grip panels as well.
* Fitting is simple but again different depending on application.
* Steel 6.5 oz., aluminum 2 oz., 4.5 oz savings.
Steel ejector rod housing 1.5 oz., alum .5 oz.
Lock weight .5 oz.
Here are the details to be aware of:
1. This is a photo of the ears around the base of the hammer that contender was referring to. They get taller as the frames get newer. Your FT BH will have the tallest ears so you'll need to order a new aluminum frame or find a used one as close to the vintage of your gun as possible to eliminate or minimize fitting. New aluminum grip frames come black powder coated and will fit good enough just as they come.
2. The alum grip frames have two projections just below the ears in the photo above that stick forward into recesses in the Main frame. Your FT BH does not have the recesses, therefore the projections must be filed way; a simple job. You'll notice a slight depression above the trig guard on the top left side of your grip frame that will need reproducing in the alum grip frame for the free spin pawl in your gun; but again another simple task.
3. Your grip frame is an XR3 size (the back of the trigger guard is 3/16" closer to the front grip strap than the aluminum. The aluminum and the same size steel grip frames (are the XR3-RED size) and have the benefit of less knuckle rapping under recoil. You should check out this site for a good explanation and illustrations of the different size grip frames:
http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm
4. For an aluminum frame of late vintage with tall ears, and without the internal lock, look for # XRN-3RED. With lock the # is XR & L.
5. Don't forget the ejector rod housing which is steel on your gun is also available in aluminum for additional weight savings. No fitting required.
6. Just to be aware: the flat top BH steel grip frame is 7/16" thick, all the aluminum frames are 1/2" thick but this does not affect the interchangeability, just the feel in your hand.
Do you plan to polish out the aluminum parts to match the SS or leave black?
Hope this helps. Just let me know if you have any questions or about parts, part #s, etc.
