Rounding a grip frame?

[gotcha]

I have a ruger SS vaquero 44 mag w/4-5/8s barrel looking at rounding the grip frame Has any one done this? If so any suggestions or pictures?
I am planing on this being first part of a project then bead blasted/scotchbrighted and bis;ey hammer installed. Also thinking a little better front sight installed maybe a dovetail, Thinking this would be a perfect packin pistol
any suggestions are welcome. (oh and it shoots fine)

Carl

 

[Short Barrel]

I fixed up a little Sheriff's model for a trail gun.I decided not to round the grip frame as they are already too short in my opinion.Instead,I ground the flare off the front and back of the gripframe,if that makes any sense.It ends up being more like a small Bisley grip frame at the bottom.I probably took off 3/16" off the front corner and rear,blending that into the curve of the front and back of the frame.

Having the grip frame and grip smaller at the bottom allows the little finger and ring finger to wrap around better and this allows you to control the gun in recoil,better.

Further,I made grips that are 3/8" thick from top to bottom.This means they are thicker than factory at the top,which is where recoil hits the web of your hand and base of you thumb.It also makes them less thick at the bottom than factory,which again,allows your lower fingers to wrap around better and control the gun.

That all may sound odd but this gun weighs 34 oz and with heavy loads is more comfortable than any plow handled Ruger I have shot.

At first glance,this gripframe looks like a regular Vaquero gripframe but feels entirely different.

 

[Short Barrel]

I should have mentioned that there is a slight rounding of the bottom of the gripframe and grips-about 1/8".You can see that in the picture.

 

[gotcha]

Short Barrel,
Thank you, I was looking to do something on the order of rounding the sharp edges /remove flair of the plow handle similar to what you did
great idea of tapering the grip, if understand correctly thick to thin top to bottom
my other option was to add a birdshead grip to the 4-5/8s vaquero
I have one of those available
(finding a bisley is not working and i do not want to buy a second S/A with the bisley grip cost and all)
Thanks again
carl

 

[Short Barrel]

Mine actually started out as a Birdshead and I changed it out to aluminum to lighten the gun.The grip I ended up with fits the hand and handles recoil a lot better than the Birdshead despite being much lighter.If I could have gotten an aluminum Bisley gripframe,that would be on it.This handle works real well though.

I'll try to get a better picture.

 

[Short Barrel]

Carl,actually the grip is the same thickness from top to bottom.I just used 3/8" thick micarta.That just happens to make it more thickness than factory at top,less on the bottom,about the same in the middle but the reality is,from a rear view,it is the same width,top to bottom.

Here is a picture of that grip panel on an unaltered gripframe.That kind of shows you how much metal came off.I would have taken more off but had to keep that last little bit of "flat" that the edge of the grip seats against.

 

[Sheriff]

Thanks for the tip. Was looking to convert my .41mag toBisley, but I like yours better. Gonna give it try.

 

[gotcha]

Short Barrel,
That last pic is geat, pefect refrence point.
Thank You
Carl

 

[Easy Ed]

That's one awesome Blackhawk, Short Barrel. I think I like it better everytime you post it.

Ed

 

[Short Barrel]

That's no Blackhawk.That's a "Vaqu-hawk".

 

[jcn1945]

Had to build up inside of frame with weld.

 

[gotcha]

jcn1945,
Thank you, That mod would be awsome on my SBH. I shot it today with 7.3 gr Unique and 12 of 12 from 25 yards were all in one mass alittle high and left but awsome any way. I cannot figure the left thing other then over compensating Your roung grip mod is what i would like on my SBH
can you post or PM the particulars thanks
Carl
Oh this board is awsome!!!! Oh with the two hand hold I did feel some of the lower corner of the grip dig into the palm of my left hand(I am right handed) a little rounding might work