Author Topic: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?  (Read 2630 times)

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Offline Ladobe

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XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« on: February 07, 2010, 10:35:14 PM »
These grips are the same size/profile.   All I have is old model Ruger SA's, so...

Can the Old Model grips be used on the New Model frames without modification, or do they have to be modified to accomodate the new trigger spring and transfer bar somehow?

Thanks.

_________________________
XR3-Red... Old Model Blackhawks, Single Six, Super Single Six, Hawkeye and Old Army.......
XRN-3Red... New Model Blackhawk, Single Six, Super Single Six, Vaquero and short barrel Super Blackhawks.
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Offline drdougrx

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 04:48:59 AM »
This is sooo confusing.  I'm having my BH /41mag refurbished by Ruger.  According to its serial number it was made in or around 1994.  I asked that they install the ivory micarta, 50th aniversary grips and they told me that they can't as they won't fit. 

Good luck!
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 10:35:26 AM »
drdougrx,
In your case (from what I can figure out)... the 50th Blackhawks have the XR3 "flattop" frames (c. from early 50's) just like the originals and have a different grip locator pin location than your XRN-3Red frame (c. from early 70's) has.   Might explain why Ruger said the 50th grips wouldn't fit. 

I thought the 50th BH's only came with hard black rubber grips - shows you how little I knew about that model.   But from what I'm reading in the XR3 frame era they did offer real factory ivory grips, with the factory ivory mircarta grips not coming along until the XR3-Red frames (c. from early 60's).   
Evolution at work. Over two million years ago the genus Homo had small cranial capacity and thick skin to protect them from their environment. One species has evolved into obese cranial fatheads with thin skin in comparison that whines about anything and everything as their shield against their environment. Meus

Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2010, 11:48:30 AM »
  Here's all you need to know about Ruger grip frames:

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


Quote
Can the Old Model grips be used on the New Model frames without modification, or do they have to be modified to accomodate the new trigger spring and transfer bar somehow?


  I believe the grip panel locator pin is in a different location.  If these OM grips are nice enough, tuck 'em aside and get a nice set of new ones made. A shame to ruin the old ones with a new locator pin hole.

  As Ladobe said, the grips are different for a NM XR3 frame and a standard "XR3-RED" frame.   Plenty of aftermarket manufacturers making them for whichever frame you have.   





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Offline drdougrx

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 11:54:11 AM »
Thanks guys...I forgot about the GunBlast post!  I'll get some hogues in ivory micarta...it's a using gun and I'd hate to ruin real ivory!!!
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2010, 12:33:46 PM »
Thanks BlkHawk73.

My reason for asking is not to modify OM grips, but because I have a few extra custom grips for all of my OM Ruger's that I'm going to list in the classifieds, and wondered if they would fit the NM Ruger's as well without modification.   If its just a pin placement modification, I guess they'd work fine on the NM easy enough too.  Good news for me as there would be a lot more buyers with NM's than OM's.

Regards

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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2010, 07:05:12 AM »
Ladobe, I'm almost sure the answer to your question is ...yes. But, I don't trust my memory anymore...as soon as I get home this evening I can check...that is If I remember ;D.
Walt
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2010, 11:57:26 AM »
      Ladobe, OK, for once the memory was right.....they are the same.  I checked a three-screw 45 vs and a pre warning new model 41 and a "old" Vaquero 45......all the same.
Walt ;)

Offline flatgate

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2010, 12:57:56 AM »
Early production Old Model Ruger Single-Sixes and Blackhawks ('53 to June/July of '62) were fitted with the XR-3 grip frame which emulates the Colt SAA grip.

Late production Old Model Ruger Single-Sixes and Blackhawks (June/July of '62 up into early 1973) were fitted with the XR3-RED grip frames.  They are actually "truncated" Super Blackhawk grips.

The XR3-RED size was carried over to the New Models.   In 2005 the XR-3 style was reintroduced but the grip dowel was slightly relocated so the '53-mid '62 grips won't fit w/o drilling new holes.

The GunBlast article is THE SOURCE for info, IMHO.

flatgate

Offline Ladobe

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2010, 08:45:56 AM »
Thanks Walt.   When I list them I'll do so as compatable for both XR3-RED and XRN-3Red frames.

What they will be will depend on what is left over from selling a couple of OM's.   Only have one set of factory walnut between the two of them, so one will probably be sold with imatation ivory grips.    That would leave another set of imitation ivory, one stag set and one Mexican Rosewood set.
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: XR3-Red and XRN-3Red grip interchangability?
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2010, 08:52:11 AM »
     I'll definately be looking for the stag set.   thanks, Walt