south_ridge said:
I am looking to buy a new Single Six. I prefer the stainless models, but I really like the feel of the factory grips that come with the blued versions (hated them when I first saw them, but ended up liking the way they feel). Is there a source for the factory checkered rubber grips? I didn't see them on the Ruger or Midway sites (despite the presence of numerous other factory grips).
I know I could buy some similar aftermarket grips, but I would like to keep the Ruger medallion on the gun.
Thanks in advance for your help.
south_ridge,
YOUR ANSWER:
Your stainless single six is in group #2 below. The Black XR3=RED size grips from the blued Single six or the blued Blackhawk are the ones you need for your single six. They will fit. Part # XR01006 and you must call Ruger REVOLVER parts only:
Customer Service Department
Newport, NH
(Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm EST)
Telephone: 603-865-2442
THE EXPLANATIONS:
In my experience:
1st) Most of the Ruger Cust Svc reps have little or no detailed knowledge of Ruger gun mechanics, no offense, they just are not engineers or parts experts.
2nd) Regular production parts are not available on the Ruger website "Store" or whatever they call it; mostly just accessories, optional grips only and some standard parts, sight sets, steel ejector housings, and some other 'high-demand' parts. You must call the toll free #s for regular production parts.
3rd) Regular production parts like SBH and Bisley hammers, Bisley grip frames, standard grips, etc., are often held from sale by Ruger Parts Dept from time to time when inventory gets low and could jeopardize filling orders for completed guns.
The facts about grip frames/grip panels:
1.) The are two sizes of black checkered grip panels with medallions (except New Vaqueros do not have medallions; they have the cast in Ruger logo); one size for guns in #2 below and one size for guns in #3 below, and the blued model single sixes and Blackhawks in #2 and all (blued and stainless) guns in #3 have the internal locks. The exception is a recent option to buy some of those models w/o locks (no 'L' in the cat. #).
2.) Stainless and blued guns of the same models use the same size grip panels/grip frames. Single sixes are the same size as standard Blackhawks, original Vaqueros and SBHs w/5.5" barrel or less; this size is the same as the old model XR3 RED (that's not the part #, the actual part #s are more confusing and denote the size and material the grip frame is made of). Black and wood grips for these guns will interchange, with the caveat that the stainless grips frames tend to run slightly larger. So putting wood grips on blued guns requires the grips be fitted slightly. Putting black grips on stainless guns requires the stainless grip frame be fitted/polished slightly smaller to match black grips.
3.) New Vaqueros and NM Flat top Blackhawks all use the XR3 size grip frames, both blue and stainless guns have the lock (note exception above) and (again, that's not the part #, the actual part #s are more confusing and denote the size and material the grip frame is made of.) HOWEVER, since the XR3 size grip frames are all 7/16" wide instead of 1/2" wide like the XR3 RED size in #2 above. therefore their black grips have the back hollowed out for the 1/2" wide locks. Wood grips with hollowed backs to fit over the lock for these guns are available on the Ruger website as an accessory item and can be ordered on-line.
Hope that helps,