Original Vaquero Grip Frame

[JackBull]

Thinking of change my Stainless Birds Head Original Vaquero to a plow handle. Where are these grip frames available?

 

[thinckley]

The grips, or the grip frames?

I might have an extra set. Let me rephrase, I know I have an extra set of grips. I have no idea what frame they fit... I'd need to check.

 

[contender]

As noted,, you'll need a grip frame & grips. And they need to be matched. The mounting screw holes are all the same. But there are different grip frame shapes, such as XR3, NXR3-RED, XR3-RED. It's an easy swap.

 

[JackBull]

As noted,, you'll need a grip frame & grips. And they need to be matched. The mounting screw holes are all the same. But there are different grip frame shapes, such as XR3, NXR3-RED, XR3-RED. It's an easy swap.

How do I ID them, where can I purchase them?

 

[thinckley]

For originals, ebay is okay, Numrich might have them, as would Classic Firearms and Parts.

For Repros, RW has everything you could want. https://rwgripframes-com.3dcartstores.com/

 

[hittman]

Maybe a WTB in Classifieds here

 

[Wyandot Jim]

How do I ID them, where can I purchase them?

There is a place called Ruger that sells stuff. Call them and tell them what you want.
The last time (2015) I bought a stainless plow handle it was $115.00 or so.

 

[moparclan]

Bought this grip frame with hammer and trigger, Jay Scott grips on eBay for a reasonable price. Turned around and sold the originals on same place.
Have gotten several new and old model grip frames from there also.
Good Luck

 

[Hondo44]

A used grip frame is cheaper and takes a lot less work fitting it to the main frame of your gun! New grip frames have a lot of extra metal to remove to fit it to your gun. Stainless is easier because you don't have to get it blued after fitting it.

Grip frames have the size code cast into the side. The size you need has had three markings and any of the 4 will be right for your original Vaquero. The K indicates stainless.

Earliest production = KXR-3,
Next = KXR-3 with a separate N,
Late = K (in circle) XRN-3,
Most current = no casting #

The New Vaquero uses the old model XR3 size slightly smaller (1/8" less space horizontally behind the trigger guard) grip frame which is the Colt Single Action Army size and it will work with your gun just fine. These are made with and without the internal lock, so you don't want one with a lock. Just make sure it looks like the inside of your birds head grip frame.
Mark = K (in circle); w & w/o lock

The Super BH grip frames with square back trigger guard or Super BH Hunter with round guard will fit your gun as well if you want a 1/4" longer grip frame like the gun above.

 

[contender]

Hondo has given excellent info. All I can add,, is that most of the Ruger factory grip frames have casting marks with the type cast into them.

 

[Caftman]

eBay & GunBroker is a reliable source, but you must know what you're looking at. Search for "Original Vaquero grip frame" or "Large Frame Blackhawk grip frame." Read descriptions carefully. Many sellers don't know the difference between Old and New models.

 

[Hondo44]

Be sure to search for Stainless "Original Vaquero grip frame" or Stainless "Large Frame Blackhawk grip frame." Almost all Blue large frame Blackhawk grip frames will be aluminum alloy instead of steel. I'm sure you'll find a stainless grip frame. However a steel grip frame with the blue removed AND POLISHED TO A HIGH GLOSS WILL MATCH A STAINLESS GUN PERFECTLY AND NOT RUST UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.

See the following guns/parts that were blued steel before being polished years ago:

An old model Super BH with S&W barrel

Here's a polished grip frame

 

[usmc69]

Swapped out the Birdshead grip for an original grip frame on my New Vaguero a while back. Glad I did, as I really like the gun now.

 

[azleite]

Plus you got the bonus way cooler hammer included-just looks right

 

[RodneyShuffler]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum. I've recently sold a New Vaquero and found a Vaquero that I purchased (I think they're referred to as Original Vaqueros here on the forum?). I'm glad to have found a resource to learn more about my gun, I can't seem to figure out which grip mine is. The serial is a 58- number and shows to be a 2001; even with the info given above by Hondo44, it doesn't seem to be exactly any of them, I'd like to know what I have for sure when I order new grips. Any help at all would be appreciated.

 

[thinckley]

HJello all, I'm new to the forum. I've recently sold a New Vaquero and found a Vaquero that I purchased (I think they're referred to as Original Vaqueros here on the forum?). I'm glad to have found a resource to learn more about my gun, I can't seem to figure out which grip mine is. The serial is a 58- number and shows to be a 2001; even with the info given above by Hondo44, it doesn't seem to be exactly any of them, I'd like to know what I have for sure when I order new grips. Any help at all would be appreciated.View attachment 93523View attachment 93524View attachment 93525

The Vaquero uses an XR3-RED grip frame while the New Vaquero uses a near copy of the old XR3 grip frame. The XR3-RED grip frame is larger than the XR3 and like I stated can be changed to the smaller XR3 if you desire.

 

[Hondo44]

HJello all, I'm new to the forum. I've recently sold a New Vaquero and found a Vaquero that I purchased (I think they're referred to as Original Vaqueros here on the forum?). I'm glad to have found a resource to learn more about my gun, I can't seem to figure out which grip mine is. The serial is a 58- number and shows to be a 2001; even with the info given above by Hondo44, it doesn't seem to be exactly any of them, I'd like to know what I have for sure when I order new grips. Any help at all would be appreciated.View attachment 93524

Welcome to the forum!

You have the first grip frame on my list and shown in your photo. The problem is that the K is cast upside down!
Earliest production = KXR-3,
Next = KXR-3 with a separate N,
Late = K (in circle) XRN-3,
Most current = no casting #

So you have the most common size grip frame used by Ruger in alloy, steel and stainless steel. It differs from the New Vaquero grip frame size* in two ways: your grip frame has 1/8" longer space between the back of the trigger guard and front of the grip frame. And the New Vaquero size is only 7/16" thick, all other Rugers are 1/2".

*Except the 44 Mag New Vaquero which has the same size grip frame as yours (and is also built on the large main frame like yours).

Note: the old model grip frame sizes are XR3 and XR3-RED. When using these casting numbers generically to refer to New Model grip frames, to avoid confusion they should be followed by the word size. So your grip frame is the XR3-RED size and the New Vaquero has the XR3 size.