Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I have a pair of .22 Single Sixes that I would like to put Birds head grips on. Will standard NM Ruger Vaquero grip frames fit these? Are there aftermarket birds head grip frame/grips available? Seems I remember at one time there were aftermarket frame sets available made from brass, perhaps through Brownells? Thanks for any help/ideas on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightnin Rick SASS #43246 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I think midway has them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Fill 'Em 67797 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Brownell's, Midway, Florida Gunworks have the standard Ruger Birdshead pattern grip frames. This company has a version similar to the Colt Lightning Ruger Lightning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Thanks for the sources, I was able to find the standard version at Midway, Brownells may have them but I was not smart enuff to figure their search system out. Since my guns are the New Models it appears that the grip frames are the same as the Vaqueros. Now I am left with some different questions and surprisingly unexpected ones. The grip frames are only available in stainless or 'in the white', which leaves me thinking that fitting must be expected? I had always thought the Ruger grips were drop in fits, if no, how much fit could one expect them to require? Would I now be looking at a gunsmith to fit and blue these? The frame price is well below what Ubertis run but then the Ubertis price is for finished and blued versions with wood panels included. At over a hundred dollars for the micarta grip panels, do they require fitting also? It might be just as cheap to look for after market Gunfighters? It is beginning to look like getting the grips right would run more than the guns do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 There aren't any "drop in" or "drop on" parts in this game. Sometimes you do get lucky and something fits close enough to leave alone, but not often. Most Ruger specific grips from Ruger and most aftermarket run a little small so you don't have to do much fitting. The grip frames themselves though, will probably require a little judicious file application. I'd suggest stainless for that reason. No blueing. Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Mountain Buzzard Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Slowhand Bob, I have a pair of Ruger SS birdshead grip frames and grips (black micarta) that I would be willing to sell for $300 shipped. Buzzard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Bramble, I have a PM on the way. Need to know if we are talking grips for both guns and if they will fit the New Model Single Sixes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 Just closed a deal for some BirdHead grips, thanks Buzzard, and hope these finished grips will prove to be close enuff on the fit. Since these are primarily intended for practice they do not need to be show pieces on the fit anyhows. I hope the micarta grips are a bit thinner than the standard wood on my New Model SSs as they do seem thicker than most of my other factory Uberti grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Gregg Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 In my limited experience fitting Ruger single action grip frames--- The Ruger grip frames actually fit pretty good without too much filing. But the Quallite grip frames are oversized and need a load more filing. Mustang Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Hopefully the fit will be adequate, they came off of a pair of 357 Vaqueros originally. HMMM, while I am waiting can anyone point me towards some online assembly/disassembly instructions (and I like pictures also). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Mountain Buzzard Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 There are others. Here are two... Disassembly: Reassembly: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Thanks Buzzard, you are quickly becoming my hero for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 A quick update here, First let me state that Bramble Mountain Buzzard is a full five star pard to do business with in my book. The grips arrived by mail yesterday and I installed them last night with one going great and the other, well, less so! On reassembly of the second one I must have somehow managed to pinch or bind the plunger portion of the cylinder latch spring plunger that installs in the grip and pretty much shattered it. There must be a trick to aligning everything and keeping it in place while one slips it all together, just one more hand would really help. Frame fit for one is as good as the original and the second is about two hairs wide on one side only and I would not dream of messing with that. Checking the VTI website advertises that they carry Ruger parts but a search does not turn up anything Ruger in the makers column? I might give them a call since they are who I have always done business with in the past but otherwise I will try Numerich, they do list and price all of the Ruger parts involved. Forgot to mention that the grip assemblies received were stainless with black micarta grip panels, surprised me, and I am here to say that the look really is snazzy on blue guns. I might even purchase a few of the stainless screws to finish off the dressy appearance. Thanks again to Bramble Mountain Buzzard for such an excellent experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Willi Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I have done this several times, the ones midway and brownell sell require a lot of fitting and are not polished an in fact are rough castings around the ears near the hammer. Ther is a ruger grip frame on the gunbroker. If you are going to do this get a Ruger take off grip frame, you know it will work and save you a ton of time! WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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