XRN-3 grip?

[Bruce in WV]

The grip model number molded into the frame of my high polish nickle VAQUERO is XRN-3. I checked the famous 'overlay' graphic that shows all the grips shapes and don't see it listed. SEARCH here doesn't find any hits in this forum.
Will XR3 grips fit my gun?
Thank you.

 

[gak]

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

Others more expert will weigh in with the nuances, but what you have is a New Model (Post 73) steel gripframe variation on the orginal large frame XR3 Red theme.

Edited from original post with erroneous information indicating OP's gripframe may have been the smaller XR3 midframe, my apologies if I misled.

 

[Bruce in WV]

gak - thanks for comments and link. I'm pretty sure its a 'full size' original Vaquero in 45Colt (not a New Model) whichI bought from Bob Munden's stockroom when he built it for me in 2006 (Corrected date: Feb 2007). I don't know how long it may have been on his shelf, but it came in a modern Ruger plastic box. I'll check the SN when I get home from work tonight and maybe we can date it from that. I can also try for a picture of the style# on the frame and post that. Interesting to figure out the variations...

 

[rugerguy]

good info above and these "almost" XR-3 ( older model) type grips can with a little work be made to fit and work on the OM XR-3 guns, I like to call the "new" XRN-3 grips "anniversary model" grips they first came on the 2005 357 flattop 50th anniversary guns............these 'new' grips have to drive any and all 'grip makers "nutz"...!!!

 

[gak]

Bruce, unless it's had a gripframe replacement and does not say "New Vaquero" on the frame, make sure in addition to XRN3 it does not also say "Red" after that. Red would indicate large frame (among post 73's ; but most NM Single Sixes also spec'd these as well). Without the "Red" descriptor, I believe it should be the midframe "Anniversary"/New Vaquero grip...but only comparing against another known large frame or mid frame grip, or your above-referenced overlay diagram will tell you for sure.
NEW EDIT: this last sentence is erroneous, the OP's is not the newer (post 2005) midframe XR3 gripframe, as logical as the assumption of just adding an "N" might lead one to believe!

EDIT - if your gun says "New Vaquero" on the frame, it's the midframe, and to date (unless recent changes I'm unaware of) except for the anomalous .44 Special, the reverse is true for just "Vaquero" meaning large frame, regardless of the serial number.
NEW EDIT: This last statement is true but less germane than originally thought. The OP clearly has an older, large frame Vaquero.

 

[Bruce in WV]

Grip marking (also showing no lock) and box label. Does this info help?

 

[gak]

Yes, ...and I have unintentionally been misleading and will modify or delete portions of my posts that are, in fact, unfactual or off base. What you have is basically a large frame NM (ie post 73) XR3-Red frame that's essentially a steel framed large frame NM Blackhawk grip frame, as that is basically what a (original/large) Vaquero is. NO, the older (or newer) mid-frame XR3 grips will not fit, not within any reasonable parameters....a completely different gripframe.

Additional caution, though theoretically a "large frame NM Ruger is a large frame NM Ruger," when it comes to grips--the commonly called XR3-Red grips--I have found variances in fit (or mis-fit as the case may be) between guns of different eras and trim (stainless vs blue etc). One case in point, I've found recent years' XR3-Red factory cheesegraters fiund on many stock Blackhawks leave metal proud all around on the old/original Vaquero such as yours, especially stainless. If someone is advertising the "XR3-Red" grips, they should basically fit your (or other large frame non longer barreled SBH but not the 50th Anniversary .44 Flattop which takes the smaller XR3), but no guarantee they'll fit well.

 

[Hondo44]

Bruce, the answer is no. XR3 'size' grips will not fit. And you have a stainless gun and grip frame. You need grips for the XRE-RED 'size' grip frame. That was the original marking for the size grip frame that you have. The same size grip frame has had several markings over the years, but your XRN-3 marking is just the latest marking for the stainless XR3-RED size grip frame.

Look for grips of the XR3-RED size.

They came on all New Models including the original Vaquero (like yours), full size Blackhawks, Short barreled Super BHs, all singles sixes and the Old Army black powder model.

You don't want grips from the "NEW" Vaquero or NM Flat Top Blackhawks which take the XR3 size.