UPDATE:.... Steel Grip Frame Won't Fit......

[J.Solo]

The seller of the steel, round trigger guard grip frame assures me that it is one of two removed from New Model Super Black Hawks and I have to believe him.

I re-measured it against my square trigger guard New Model Super Black Hawk .44 Mag. and it is the same, so it should fit that gun without any problems.

I was under the impression that a New Model Super Black Hawk Steel Grip Frame would fit a New Model Black Hawk. I just bought a convertable NMBH in .357/9mm but the steel NMSBH grip frame is about 1/16" to short in the height of the "Ears" to reach the top rear of the NMBH action/frame. The steel Grip frame measures 1 1/16" from bottom flat of cylinder area to the top of the "Ears". The original grip frame on the NMBH .357 measures 1 1/8" in the same area. If I replace the aluminum grip frame on the .357 with the steel grip frame, the steel grip frame will be too short and not reach the top of the NMBH action/frame line.

I then measured my .44 Mag Stainless Biesly action/frame and it is almost identical in measurement (1 1/8") as the NMBH in .357 Mag.

Note: The Aluminum Grip Frame on my NMBH in .357 is marked "XRN-3RED". The Serial Number of this New .357 Mag is: 37-75XXX and is supposed to be of current production.

Questions:
1.  Is there an all steel "XRN-3RED" RUGER grip frame that will fit a NMBK .357 Mag.?
2. Is it possible that RUGER is using the Biesly Action/Frame on New Model Black Hawk Convertables?

Sorry for the long post.
J.Solo

[Lloyd Smale]

dont know what to tell you pal Ive swapped bisley grip frames on to a blackhawk and have a buddy who has a blued super grip frame that he put on a blackhawk with very little filing. It should work. Can you remove material in the grip frame or from the ears to raise it.

[J.Solo]

The serial number on my NMBH indicates that it was made this year, 2003.
I can only guess that the steel grip frame did come off of a new in box NMSBH but the question now becomes WHEN did they come off? If the NMSBH grip frames were removed prior to the change of RUGER Action/frames in the 90's then I guess they surly will not fit my new production NMBH. Any thoughts? Anyone want to trade for what I need?
Thanks Again - J.Solo

[44 Man]

I'll bet the screw holes lined up but that the "ears" were too short.  That area seems to be hand fitted to most guns.  If the "fitter" filed a little too much off the ears on the old gun fitting it, then it will be too short for a gun with full height ears on the frame.  They seem better now, but I have seen Rugers in the past with a very poor fit and a big step down (or up) where the grip frame fits up.  I do have to say though that I have swapped many a grip frame and most have fit well.  You can file the ears on the frame down to match that grip frame but that is a one-way fix.  Most people won't want to do that but it is easy enough to round them down carefully.  Easiest thing is to just swap off that grip frame and pick up another.  44Man