Qualite brass frames?

[Major T]

Can some of you comment on the quality of the FGW Qualite brass grip frames for Rugers. I have dragged my feet long enough on the grip replacement for my 50th Aniv. .44 flattop. The SBH Hunter may be a better way to go, but the brass should be easier to file and polish. Also looking forward to SBH hammers becoming available. Thanks, Jack

 

[BlackEagle]

Mine is top notch quality. I wish I could find more. If you know where I can get one (or more) please let me know. Here's mine on a 50th Anniversary .44

 

[BlackEagle]

http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FG&Product_Code=216&Category_Code=FA+GRIPS

I tried that site a year or so ago. They didn't have any and weren't able to get any. I don't know why they don't remove the item from their website. I am trying to cast some but it is going slow.

 

[flatgate]

Here's a couple of the examples I have..........

flatgate

 

[G2]

FGW... the google pop-up for "Ruger Brass Grip Frame",,, Nope, Nada,
$129 was alot of money at the time, most sold for $100-107. Now if you can find one there bringing $200-250, and headed up.

They have not been produced for a few years now, Milt & Karen Morrison, Owners of Qualite/ MK Technologies have moved on to other ventures. I ended up with the last one out of Brownells Sept./ 2008. The price of raw material, increase in foundry costs and somewhat slagging sales were reasons given.

As for the OP question on Quality, some were good, some were a nightmare. but with a little time and patience could be made to work.

My first 2 of several. 8) ,,, a brass junkie.

 

[Major T]

Thanks for the information. I had just stumbled across nthe webb site, which I gather has been abandoned?? Jack

 

[Robb Barnes]

The Qualite frames I have used have been spotty as far as fit and function goes. Most need some major metal work to fit properly and the bisley frames really took some work. I have one at John Linebaughs right now and it was rough enough that John took one his brass frames and substituted it for the Qualite frame if I remember correctly. The biggest issue besides fitting the width and ear height involved off-centered mounting holes which had to be major opened up from the back with a round needle file to get the screws to align.

 

[Bkat]

Did Qualite or any other company ever make a brass trigger guard frame for the OM Bearcat?

Bkat

 

[G2]

Did Qualite or any other company ever make a brass trigger guard frame for the OM Bearcat?

Bkat

Somebody did at one time, I'm fairly sure it was not Qualite and really don't know who did,,, How about a little eye candy.

I think this was a neat variation too; A Baby Brass Dragoon.

 

[Bkat]

G2, now that is cool! Where did the brass come from?

Bkat

 

[REP1954]

Can some of you comment on the quality of the FGW Qualite brass grip frames for Rugers. I have dragged my feet long enough on the grip replacement for my 50th Aniv. .44 flattop. The SBH Hunter may be a better way to go, but the brass should be easier to file and polish. Also looking forward to SBH hammers becoming available. Thanks, Jack

I just bought a SBH hammer from Numrich Arms received it in a week.

 

[G2]

Where did the brass come from?

I really don't know who did it. Not my gun or picture, At one time thought about making these.

Maybe we can talk EWK into this project....eah??

I have big o'l paws for hands so have givin up on the Bearcat stuff, Neat little guns, just not so neat for BIG PAWS... :roll:

 

[flatgate]

Where did the brass come from?

I really don't know who did it.

The one example with provenance was supposedly made at Ruger. I'll refer the reader to p. 188 in J.C. Dougan's fantastic Ruger Pistols & Revolvers.

Jeanine's Award Winning NRA Show display contained said gun. Look close, it's there in the lower right corner of the below image.

flatgate

 

[Bkat]

The one example with provenance was supposedly made at Ruger. I'll refer the reader to p. 188 in J.C. Dougan's fantastic Ruger Pistols & Revolvers.

Jeanine's Award Winning NRA Show display contained said gun. Look close, it's there in the lower right corner of the below image.

I saw that in Dougan's book and it's mentioned in the RENE reference. It was an alpha Cat, SN D854 (not a duplicate) made for a Ruger employee. There's also a pic of it in the Dougan book.

Bkat

 

[BC Mike]

Here's a couple of the examples I have..........

flatgate

I was backtracking on jussbad's brass frame thread and got here. These two are awesome (I don't use that word lightly as I'm 60 years old) I've only seen grips like the top one is wearing on the early Super Blackhawks. The brass cylinder base pin really makes it come together.
Mike

 

[flatgate]

The .44 Flattop sports Lett's Fancy Walnuts. The hammer is some
"homeboy's" work. It was on a beater .44 Flattop I purchased at the
Riverton, WY show 10 or 15 years ago.

The "brass" cylinder pin is actually a standard, hardened steel Ruger part with a "gold plated" head.

The OM .45 Colt Blackhawk sports a OM Super hammer, a New Model cylinder and "warning" marked barrel........ but it FINALLY shoots really well!

These two are my "go to" revolvers. One or the other spends lots of time "with" me.....

flatgate

 

[TINCANBANDIT]

I'll revive this old thread for this important announcement....

The owner of Qualite is selling his molds on ebay...if anyone wants to buy these and start making brass grip frames again, I would be in the market for one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Mold-/191043242452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7b1089d4

 

[Ziptar]

Wow.. I have one of the original Qualite brass frames. It's beautiful and quality.

If I had the dough to buy the mold and get the manufacturing up and running I'd do it in a heart beat. I still have kids and they are headed for college though.. :shock: There is no such thing as disposable income for me for a bit... :wink:

Would be a good hobby or post retirement business for someone. Based on just the posts I've seen here, They would sell like hot cakes.

 

[TINCANBANDIT]

I just picked up this birdshead brass frame, not sure who made it though?

 

[powder smoke]

Where did you get it. ps

 

[5card]

I am looking to buy a Qualite Bridshead gripfrme

 

[TINCANBANDIT]

Where did you get it. ps

I got it in a package deal with an old model Blackhawk, the guy didn't know that the grip frame was for a new model

 

[Hankus]

Wow.. I have one of the original Qualite brass frames. It's beautiful and quality.

If I had the dough to buy the mold and get the manufacturing up and running I'd do it in a heart beat. I still have kids and they are headed for college though.. :shock: There is no such thing as disposable income for me for a bit...

Would be a good hobby or post retirement business for someone. Based on just the posts I've seen here, They would sell like hot cakes.

Has anybody thought about sand casting using a steel grip frame to make the indentations in the sand? I saw a “reel” on Facebook the other day where someone cast a bronze deer antler using this method from old plumbing grade copper with a little linotype tin added. I have access to lots of quality scrap copper but wouldn’t know where to source the nickel.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Ronnie Wells makes brass grip frames of a myriad of shapes, sizes and styles for ok’d and new model Rugers and there is NO issues with screw holes lining up like on many of the Qualite frames I’ve had. Look up RW grip frames to find his website.