Polishing the Frame

[muz125]

Hi Guys,

I've seen some pictures of guys that take their Ruger SA revolovers (blue) and polish the grip frame and maybe even the ejector housing until its bright shiny metal. 

How do you do this?  Do you just take some steel wool and start rubbing until the blue is gone?  Can I use Naval Jelly to get rid of the blue?

Thanks

Greg

[Lloyd Smale]

ive done it with a scotch pad but its alot of work. Ive heard that easy off oven cleaner will strip it but havnent tried it. To polish it i used less abrassive scotch pads then steal wool  then fritz to get the final polish.

[muz125]

Lloyd,

Thank you!

Since you seem to be the expert, I have a question.  I want to get a new Single Six in blue with a 5.5" barrel.

Just a plinking gun really.

Any comments, concerns about this gun?  They are good choices?

What happened to Lett grips?  I want to get a pair of the simulated ivory but I see they went out of business.  Ruger has them on the website but for $90.  Any less expensive options?

Thanks

Greg

[Ken ONeill]

I'm not Lloyd, but...
The Ruger Single -Six is an excellent all around .22 revolver. Lett is indeed out of business, and that's a real shame. Many of my Ruger revolvers wear their after-market grips, and I regret selling a few without removing the Letts first. There are several after market, non-custom-fit grip makers out there, whose names are well known, but none compare to the Lett grips, in my opinion.
It may not be generally known by everyone, but William B. Lett was one of the closest childhood friends of Bill Ruger, Sr.

[John Traveler]

The Ruger single actions have aluminum alloy grip frames (except the Super Blackhawk .44) and ejector rod housings.

Removing the anodized finish is fairly easy if you use drain cleaner (lye) to etch it off.  Easy Off oven cleaner is mostly lye as well, and will do the same thing.

Be careful using lye to remove anodizing.  The chemical reaction is exothermic (gives off heat), and bubbles vigourously.  I usually just dangle the stripped piece using a coathanger wire into the lye and give it a couple minutes.  Rinse, examine for complete removal of the anodizing, and rinse again.  The used solution is safe to flush down the drain.  Mechanical polishing using scotchbrite, wet or dry sandpaper, etc gives a nice satin finish.

[Lloyd Smale]

I sure to agree with you on the lett grips. I miss that compant alot. You used to be able to buy a set of walnut grips for a ruger that had walnut as pretty as custom grips costing 3 times the 50 dollar asking price. they also fit most guns better then anything else over the counter. I wish i would have been smart enough to stock up on a few sets before they quit! Single sixs are fine guns. You wont buy a better 22 for the money! There usually not target shooting guns for accuracy but they have plenty of accuarcy for field use and will last 10 lifetimes.

[Flash]

Hi Guys,

I've seen some pictures of guys that take their Ruger SA revolovers (blue) and polish the grip frame and maybe even the ejector housing until its bright shiny metal. 

How do you do this?  Do you just take some steel wool and start rubbing until the blue is gone?  Can I use Naval Jelly to get rid of the blue?

Thanks

Greg

Red Devil lye, jeweler's rouge and a buffing wheel

[blue roan]

If you want to pick up some weight, consider getting a grip frame and ejector housing made of stainless steel from Ruger.  I changed out Original Size VAQUEROS to HUNTER/DRAGOON grip frames so they'd fit my hands better.  Those few ounces really change the handling characteristics of your revolver....and a little weight to help reduce recoil doesn't hurt a short barreled VAQUERO at all!