Uh Oh. How bad is it? possible replacement frames avaiable?

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I recently acquired a tackle box gun. Or rather box-of-gun. (Not as bad as bag of gun, because all the parts are compartmentalized. Everything else is on good shape. This frame however, I think may need a replacement. It is a 5.5 inch single six. The frame has XRN-3-RED 8 MARKED ON the left side.

Are replacements available? If so how much?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Yep the aluminum gripframes, blued (without lock) are available from Ruger and many of the other parts venders. You will also need the pins. I think the price is less than $100.
You might put a WTB ad in the classifieds as many folks take those off for other gripframes.

 

[swoter]

I bought a stainless frame from Brownells about 6 months ago. Cost a little over a hundred I think. If you have to buy a frame, might as well go with steel.

 

[SATCOM]

That should be the least expensive used Ruger gripframe ever. Ask in classifieds.

SATCOM

 

[Kevin]

I bought a gun in a bag once. 20 bucks! Never did anything with it and gave it to my brother. I'm not sure if he got it working or not....

Anyway I don't know the answer you are looking for only wanted to say guns in pieces can be fun projects. Good luck.

 

[FlyerTom]

Looks like somebody was hanging wanted posters with it.

 

[golferboy426]

it's a 22, JB weld it

 

[magnum711]

I agree with golfer, jb weld it, unless the rest of the gun is in good shape. Or, post a WTB aluminum grip frame. I'd guess ~$40 used.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I agree with golfer, jb weld it, unless the rest of the gun is in good shape. Or, post a WTB aluminum grip frame. I'd guess ~$40 used.

+1

 

[cadillo]

it's a 22, JB weld it

A stated above, if it's going in a tackle box, repair it with JB Weld. It won't come apart.

 

[G2]

I agree with golfer, jb weld it, unless the rest of the gun is in good shape. Or, post a WTB aluminum grip frame. I'd guess ~$40 used.

+1

+ 1 again, and thanks for the chuckle, I saw the first picture and thought....
ahhhh that just needs a little POR 15 Chassie paint,
then scrolled down and saw the come apart. :lol:

JB weld it for now and place a "REWARD" for whom ever might have a knock off for less than $40 in the classifieds.
I had one a few months back and shipped it for $30 , it even had the pins.

 

[Hondo44]

Of all the Ruger grip frames, those are the easiest to find and the most common one used on many models. Any blue standard Blackhawk or 22 uses the same grip frame. I replace so many with steel that I give 'em away when I have any. This forum's classifieds, e-bay and Gunbroker always have a few for sale. And cheap when you don't care about wear for a tacklebox gun.

 

[contender]

As Hondo said,,, those are one of the more common grip frames available. Inexpensive to replace if you buy used around here. Under $50 easily!

 

[Joe S.]

last one i bought was $40 shipped...

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Thank you so much for sending me a frame. Unfortunately it won't work without major milling or fitting. Well it was worth a shot. I may just send the gun off to Ruger with the XRN-3Red AND the XR3 red you mailed me. They can sort it out. If I have to pay some money, that's fine.

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you so much for sending me a frame. Unfortunately it won't work without major milling or fitting. Well it was worth a shot. I may just send the gun off to Ruger with the XRN-3Red AND the XR3 red you mailed me. They can sort it out. If I have to pay some money, that's fine.

Egads! It will be "some money"; very close to $200; over $100 just shipping it there and back!

Just buy this correct XRN-3Red grip frame:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ruger-Blackhawk-Vaquero-Revolver-Grip-Aluminum-NXR3-RED-/181435899745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3e6c1f61

OR:

This parts kit; you can resell the cylinder by itself for ~ $75:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=421796806

OR:

The XR3-RED frame is an old model Ruger grip frame, pre 1973. Don't need to modify the grip frame. Just get this $2.00 plunger pin (below), install it with a ball point pen spring cut to length, in the trigger return spring hole behind the trigger, and slice off the shelf on the back of the trigger for new model return spring (no longer needed).

Drill the small hole in the top of the trigger guard for the cyl bolt plunger/spring. With a Dremel tool grind the trigger slot wider to fit the NM wide trigger, and you're back in business!

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/trigger-group-parts/trigger-parts/trigger-plungers/trigger-plunger-prod12117.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=RUGER

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Mine takes the XRN-3red. The frame that won't work is the xr3-RED

 

[Hondo44]

Mine takes the XRN-3red. The frame that won't work is the xr3-RED

That's right, the XRN-3RED (the N is for new model) is the correct number for that gun. But those two grip frames come from the same mould, are the same size, and with the same screw location pattern. The point is all Ruger grip frames will interchange and can be made to work very simply on different model Rugers, including old or new models. And w/o needing any milling.

You just need to use the parts I indicated and drill the small hole shown here on two new model grip frames:

And file or grind the trigger slot a little wider.

This Ruger video will show you the trigger spring and plunger you need in order to use the XR3-RED grip frame:
http://www.ruger.com/resources/videos.html?vidID=005039

If it helps, here's Ruger's New Model reassembly video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zEKDqwkgEs&feature=related

 

[G2]

Sending that gun back to Ruger for a grip frame install makes no cent's and will cost more dollars than the gun is worth.

Sell the project, and buy another that's not a project would be way less money than sending it in to Ruger.

Just a thought ,,,,, :wink:

 

[Ruger36]

I have a XRN-3 RED frame with a small nick in the trigger guard ,no spring or pin would swap for the XR3 -RED or sell for $20 PM if interested Chuck

 

[gramps]

As shucks, I wanted to see the JB Weld fix!
gramps who loves KISS