WEIGHT

[CLAYPOOL]

I kindaw have gathered that I can get a "Steel" New Model Blackhawk grip frame to replace the alloy one that is on it. I am interested in weight and strenth as working around cattle isn't conductive to apperance or finsh. I am off and on tractors and other trucks and I have several nicks,scraches, other marks all ready. I will say that a .45 Colt round does real good on Illinois skunks. We have been traping them inside the barn. They will look at you and then when they put their head down, give them a round or 2 threw the shoulders downard. Hopefully that stops the clockworks pronto ...Please advize board members.. Currently 48 skunks + Counting.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL 8)

 

[nvbirdman]

If you're not concerned about appearance, there are a lot of stainless steel gripframes out there.

 

[contender]

Yep,, you can swap out the alloy gripframe for a steel one. Usually not any issues at all.
Skunks,, shot with a 45,, hmmmm,,,,,! I use other methods,, and I catch them in cages too!

 

[cellar701]

Here is a NM .45 colt which I bought and already had the steel grip frame, installed by previous owner:

I have also changed the hammer to super blackhawk hammer, but don't have a photo with that change. Balance and handling are great with the steel grip frame.

 

[captainkirk]

Here is a NM .45 colt which I bought and already had the steel grip frame, installed by previous owner:

I have also changed the hammer to super blackhawk hammer, but don't have a photo with that change. Balance and handling are great with the steel grip frame.

Looks like the "pins" have been turned into "screws" as well. Nice set up.

captainkirk

 

[CLAYPOOL]

CONTENDER: I have tryed differant calibers. I really like larger ones for the "Stunn" right now aspeck. I did shoot a mom + 4 little ones a couple months back using a OSS .40 S+ W. The light on the front "Froze" them it seemed and I didn't spare the ammo. Turned out I had the wrong clip in + was useing the Speer Gold Dots instead of reloads. OPPS. That was at about 6 -7 feet. My son says you got skunks in the barn, he was right.. I have read a lot over the years on Gauges + Calibers and are becoming more "Old fashioned" as I go. I will say to the board I like .45's. All thought I did buy a .454 taurus and it is like a good 10 gauge when that Goose is a long way out or up. If some one on here has a scratched or beat up grip frame, I would like a chance to deal with them. I have had a F.F.L. since 1985 and am willing to help board members that have been on here for a while.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL

 

[CLAYPOOL]

THose traps that they go inside of that look like plastic sewer pipe. I am going to check out next. My brother lived here since 1985 and let the groundhogs den + tunnel. Well here came the skunks for mice...He was phyiscally (sp) handicapped and could not do much about them, so they took over for several years. Me + Sister have put the wammey on them. If some one can price a grip frame go for it. I have been piling up scrap lead for years + in + out of molding bullets also.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL 8)

 

[cellar701]

I know skunks in the barn is not a good thing. Hunting them with the .45 does sound interesting, and I used to do the same with a .22 when I was on the farm. To be more efficient I use a skunk trap made from 6" poly pipe, baited with dry cat food. I bought a commercial brand of trap and it works well. My brother (still on the farm) makes them out of 6" pvc pipe. (Skunks can't get their tail up to spray while in the trap). Carry them and trap to safe location and dispatch if necessary (after letting them out of trap) using a .410 shotgun is what we do. And finally I/we dig a posthole to bury them - if you've ever seen a rabid skunk and how they act, or an infected cow or bull you'll understand and bury them properly.

As I'm sure you know, if they spray in the barn the spray/odor is in a fine mist like an aerosol and gets on everything, even you and yours and even if not in direct line of fire - and stays around for a looong time. Hence, I understand your interest in stopping the clockwork with the first shot... In my experience getting them in the trap and outside where spraying doesn't much matter works better, as it is difficult to be 100% on such a small target with one shot.

Contender is the expert on matters such as these and probably has better ideas.

 

[cellar701]

ps: Sorry to all to diverge so much from 'smithing topic - probably should have posted above in a pm...

 

[Blut und eisen]

Good Lord! They must explode when hit with a .45LC!

 

[Pinecone]

CLAYPOOL, That barn must really clear your sinuses! What I do when we get skunks around here is to pound a nail about two feet up from the ground in a tree (in our patch of woods away from the house) and hang a small piece of wood on a piece of wire down about a foot and plaster the wood with "peanut butter". Now I place a common variety 4 inch spring trap at the foot of the tree right under the peanut butter and cover over with leaves. I secure the chain to an eyebolt around the opposite side of the tree. The next morning you will have a very irate skunk in the trap to shoot at a distance. I simply use my Ruger MKII .22 pistol to dispatch the critters! Any smell gets wiped out with the next rain. No barn smell. This has worked every time for me and usually the skunk is sprayed out 30 seconds after the trap "springs"! Incidentally, this method also works for pesky coons'! The coons' though, have a lot nastier disposition!...................Dick :wink:

 

[EDK]

I have a stainess grip frame, with factory grips, that came off an Original Size VAQUERO...It might be the answer to your needs. I have stainless HUNTER or DRAGOON grip frames on several VAQUEROS...and like them. I sold/traded a bunch of the take offs three years ago.

$60 for grip frame and grips....send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

I really don't know if that will fit or not. I not up on that. Maybe the board will advise me as to will it fit or not.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL

 

[flatgate]

Yes, a Vaquero grip frame is a steel, XR3-RED, the exact same size as the one on your .45.

There may be small differences that effect the appearance of the "match up" but, mechanically it should be a "part for part" swap.

flatgate

 

[EDK]

I really don't know if that will fit or not. I not up on that. Maybe the board will advise me as to will it fit or not.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL

The grip frames are no longer available. A gentleman in California has spoken for the stainless grip frame...and the blue one is on the way to Nevada.

A grip frame swap MAY be a roll of the dice, but I have had little or no problem with cosmetics. Unfitted from the factory entails some time and attention to detail...I usually have the grip frame fitted when the gun goes in for a trigger/action job at ALPHA PRECISION. Jim Stroh is one of the best in the business...done work for me for over 20 years....someone I am proud to call a friend.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

Well I was a little slow so the Early Bird got the worm. Thanks any way.
SEE YUW
CLAYPOOL 8)