Old Vaquero stamped with "XR-3"

[aragornelessar86]

So I bought a lightly used old Vaquero, and last night I had the stocks off (see my classified post for that story) and noticed that the grip frame has "XR-3" stamped inside. I thought the New Vaquero was the XR-3 model. Anyone have an explanation?

 

[caryc]

Don't try to figure out Ruger's grip frame markings. They will drive you nutZ!!

They just left off the "RED". I guess by that time they figured everybody knew it was the redesigned grip frame. Look at the drawing below. You can always tell by the back strap which is which.

The XR3-RED has the flair towards the bottom whereas the XR3 has the straight backstrap.

 

[Chief_10Beers]

75 years from now if some "Collector" gets a hold of my 2008 Single-Six with a Steel XR3 GF, that'll screw em up :lol: :lol: ...............................

 

[BlackEagle]

are you sure its not XRN-3 ?

 

[caryc]

are you sure its not XRN-3 ?

My stainless Vaquero is marked XR-3. The "K" in a circle indicating stainless is not part of the XR-3.

The "N" was to indicate New Model. I guess they decided they no longer needed that either. As I said don't try to figure out Ruger's grip frame markings. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

 

[Hondo44]

75 years from now if some "Collector" gets a hold of my 2008 Single-Six with a Steel XR3 GF, that'll screw em up :lol: :lol: ...............................

Yeah Chief, my Ruger SAs also, they'll go nuts! The Stainless frames on blue guns will be a tipoff on some but the all blue guns will have them scratching their heads; especially the NM blue steel XR3s on 3 screw guns or the blue 32 Mag shorty frames on old 22 flat tops.

 

[aragornelessar86]

Haha, ok, I just wondered. I know what the gun is, and that it has the original grip frame, the markings just didn't make sense. Maybe the RED is there and just didn't catch my eye since I wasn't looking for it. Oh well. Thanks guys!