Grip Panel ?-

[Chinook3]

i recently purchased a set of grip panels described as Ruger OM black Bakelite vintage. These panels have no inside/top notch. I have no idea?——Thanks

 

[G2]

Picture of both sides, in & out, not enough details yet.
Where did you buy them/ from?
Some sellers on eBay represent them as Old Model Bakelite, when really the Old one’s were Hard Rubber.
The OLD ones ~$75-100,,,, the NEW ones $25-50.
How to tell the difference? /// Grip pin hole, medallions, and just seeing a bunch of both.

However I will venture a guess, I think they are New production,
.
Ruger did away with grip frame lugs that used to tie into the cylinder frame, thus no need for the cutouts on the grip panels.

 

[G2]

Just because I have a couple sets of Bisley grips on the bench.
Left side is from a 2024 Bisley, Right is from a 1999 vintage.
When did the change happen ?
I don't know if that date has been pinned down. But it happened, and you can't buy a Grip frame now with the Lugs, or a newer gun with slots to accommodate the lugs.

 

[Chinook3]

I mis spoke above - “not Bakelite” my interpretation of old rubber.
Here’s some photos-

 

[BoggusDeal]

I can’t really tell from the pics but those “look” like New Vaquero grips.

 

[ArizonaTea123]

Just because I have a couple sets of Bisley grips on the bench.
Left side is from a 2024 Bisley, Right is from a 1999 vintage.
When did the change happen ?
I don't know if that date has been pinned down. But it happened, and you can't buy a Grip frame now with the Lugs, or a newer gun with slots to accommodate the lugs.
View attachment 64985

The light colored grip panel on the left is made by Altamont. They make factory grips for many manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and Colt.
Apparently gun manufacturers are increasingly using subcontractors such as Altamont to make "factory" grips.

 

[G2]

These are from a 1956 sn#318xx

These are from a 2006 50th Anniversary NM Flattop 44 cal.

 

[G2]

In my opinion, Your grips are exactly what I thought with the exception of somebody has taken the time to fill some of the extra holes. The Grip pin hole is not compatible in location Old/ New, but the NEW grips this hole can be filled and re-drilled/ cut.
Because of the cost of an original set and the fact that no more out there, as they crack, chip, etc. the re-pops are getting hodgepodge'd to work. IMO this is what you have.

Another tip off is the partially drilled hole on the "LEFT PANEL AS PICTURED" that was where you drilled thru to access the built in lock…

So did the seller try and pull a fraud or offer them as OM grips,,, as that what they FIT now. ???

Go ahead and share with us what you paid. If you got ripped off, we will feel bad.

FWIW: I just sold the NM set, they were brand new take offs, and there was a fellow enthusiast that was looking for New Vaquero Grips, while technically not Vaquero grips they are the exact same profile, with the black fat bird medallions.
New Model XR3.

edit to add: As for Medallions, notice how slim, crisp, detailed the blackbird was in 1956 -vs- the new stuff,,,, "good" but not as good,,, as the originals….

 

[rugerguy]

yes we call those the New model anniversary style XR-3 grips o notch, the locating pin hole is off set ever so slightly ,yes they can be modified , notched and the pin hole elongated to make them work on an old model XR-3 frame....yes a "cheap" substitute or quick fix for a broken or lost ,missing set of old model grips in a pinch.......
......just a caveat emptor baby

 

[Chinook3]

No, I am basically okay with the trade. I dont feel any fictitious intent. I planned on using them on an XR3 RED frame. I suppose sell them but hopefully I can describe them more accurately. They are still good grip panels and worth $50

 

[G2]

Ruger makes these same black grips in XR3-RED, I have a 2011 6.5" 41 Mag Blackhawk that a friend left to me, it was LNIB and had these grips,
Medallions are the silver bird, black background, "R" only.

 

[contender]

As noted above,, those are the "new" version of the XR3 grip frames. BTW; They won't fit an XR3-RED.

 

[Randyzzz]

You can buy the old silver background medallions off EBay, and make a new set appear vintage. They are not as beautiful as the real OM medallions however.

Here’s a set of those new medallions that I installed into some fake stag grips-

And a set of the newer XR3-RED black grips from a 2008 .45 convertible. I was thinking of selling them but I sorta like the SR emblem.

 

[Zonker5]

If you decide to sell the black grips let me know.

 

[Randyzzz]

I’m waiting on a Ronnie Wells grip frame and custom grips. When that shows up I’ll decide and let you know.

If you decide to sell the black grips let me know.

 

[G2]

IMPRESSIVE PICTURES !!!… Randyzzz.

 

[Chinook3]

I have a set just like yours G2.