Super Blackhawk grip question

[Igor]

A few years ago I bought a NIB blue New Model Super Blackhawk .44 magnum (BOD 1980). For some reason it came with Pachmayr Presentation grips. It is a beautiful revolver, and would look even nicer with the correct wood grips.

I have, on two occasions, bought what were advertised as original walnut Super Blackhawk grips for it, and neither pair fit worth a hoot. Both appeared to be the right grips, but the fit was very, very sloppy.

Is there really that much variation in all wood grips for this model Ruger? Or is there something else I need to know to get the correct ones?

 

[gak]

Many came--or were quickly fitted--with those Pachmayrs. Regarding the wood grip fit issue, you don't mention your barrel length. If the most popular 7.5 or longer (ie squareback triggerguard), you'd take SBH-specific grips. The short (4-5/8"-5-1/2") barreled SBH had the regular Blackhawk (XR3-Red) gripframe--shorter than the "standard" SBH gripframe--and would take NMBH/Vaquero grips. I think one of the stickys at the head of this (Revolvers) forum will show the difference--I think including a link to a Gunblast article addressing. That *may* be a difference you're looking at?
Edited barrel length (7.5") above

 

[Igor]

The barrel is 7.5".......I didn't realize that made a difference as far as the grips were concerned.

I have noticed quite a few Super Blackhawks of this vintage on various sites (e.g. GunBroker) with those same Pachmayr grips. Did they come new from Ruger wearing those?

 

[gak]

I am not an SBH expert, but I too have seen so many over the years with them, including proximate to when a particular gun would have been new, I'm thinking maybe optional?

So, any chance you've bought just regular Blackhawk (XR3-Red) wood grips?

 

[Igor]

So, any chance you've bought just regular Blackhawk (XR3-Red) wood grips?

That's entirely possible. Until today I never knew there was a difference. At least now I can pursue finding the correct walnut grips with my new-found knowledge.

 

[gak]

I meant 7.5" and longer, and have edited my first post above to reflect.
Not the same but you might try these "black" (silver & black) laminates as well.
http://shopruger.com/MR01002-Super-Blackhawk-Grips-Square-Trigger-Guard/productinfo/70095/

 

[Igor]

Thank you very much for your help.

Now I'll be looking for the correct original OEM walnut grips to fit this Ruger.

 

[gak]

Glad to be of help if it did--good luck!

 

[flatgate]

Go to www.gunblast.com and find the amazing article on Ruger Grip Frames that was written by Mr. Wm. Hamm.

flatgate

 

[gak]

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=131343

What I was referring to earlier, with link to Gunblast article.

 

[flatgate]

In a nutshell, the early Blackhawks and Single-Sixes were fitted with a grip frame that very closely copied Colt's SAA grip size and shape. In 1959 Ruger introduced the "cream of the crop" Super Blackhawk. It featured a 7-1/2" barrel, a wide spur hammer, a wide, serrated trigger and a much larger, ala Colt's 2nd model Dragoon design, one piece grip frame. In late '62 the Blackhawk and Single-Six design was changed just a bit and ended up being a "modified and slightly downsized" version of the popular Super Blackhawk style.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[flatgate]

Look close at this image.

A standard Super Blackhawk grip frame with the XR3-RED grip panels set in place. One can see how the Super Blackhawk grip panels were "shrunk" a bit to come up with the XR3-RED size and shape.

flatgate

 

[caryc]

I have, on two occasions, bought what were advertised as original walnut Super Blackhawk grips for it, and neither pair fit worth a hoot. Both appeared to be the right grips, but the fit was very, very sloppy.

Is there really that much variation in all wood grips for this model Ruger? Or is there something else I need to know to get the correct ones?

There is no question that you purchased the correct grips. If you bought the wrong ones they would be off by a quarter of an inch.

You're just experiencing "cookie cutter" grips. Those are grips that are cranked out by machines like CNC machines and never see a grip frame until they are put on a gun to ship out.

You want a pair of grips to fit right, then send the grip frame to someone for a correct fit or just keep taking your chances.

 

[Igor]

There is no question that you purchased the correct grips. If you bought the wrong ones they would be off by a quarter of an inch.

You're just experiencing "cookie cutter" grips. Those are grips that are cranked out by machines like CNC machines and never see a grip frame until they are put on a gun to ship out.

You want a pair of grips to fit right, then send the grip frame to someone for a correct fit or just keep taking your chances.

This is pretty much what I thought was the case.

Interestingly enough, I have purchased OEM grips online to fit Colts (Python, etc.) and they fit like a glove.......every time. I have done the same thing with S&W revolvers.......never a problem.

Does this say something about Ruger? Just wondering........

 

[caryc]

There is no question that you purchased the correct grips. If you bought the wrong ones they would be off by a quarter of an inch.

You're just experiencing "cookie cutter" grips. Those are grips that are cranked out by machines like CNC machines and never see a grip frame until they are put on a gun to ship out.

You want a pair of grips to fit right, then send the grip frame to someone for a correct fit or just keep taking your chances.

This is pretty much what I thought was the case.

Interestingly enough, I have purchased OEM grips online to fit Colts (Python, etc.) and they fit like a glove.......every time. I have done the same thing with S&W revolvers.......never a problem.

Does this say something about Ruger? Just wondering........

I imagine you'll find plenty of people that also say their oem Ruger grips fit well too. No one said that all oem Ruger grips fit badly. But they are cookie cutter grips. They are made so the packers at Ruger can just slap the grips on with no problems, no fitting needed to get them on. In other words they're made so they fit on any grip frame no matter how much they vary.

Next time you're in a gun shop, check the prices on Colts and Rugers. Ruger makes a good gun, priced right and built like a tank. If you want real precision and hand fitted grips then pay for something like a Freedom Arms.