alamogunr
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Post by alamogunr on Jul 26, 2014 14:32:38 GMT -5
I've just started reading the Book of Ruger Revolvers on Kindle. One thing that already caught my interest is the section about Jack Huntington's modification of the Ruger Super Blackhawk grip frame to approximate the Bisley grip frame. I've been wanting a 5 shot .45 Colt but would prefer to use an old Super Blackhawk as the base. This gun is a real beater. I bought it used for a very low price because it had apparently been stored in a leather holster and the barrel and cylinder are severely rusted.
It would involve more work to replace the trigger, hammer and modify the grip frame, but would enable me to save a Bisley and utilize a gun that beats the c$%p out of my middle knuckle. The barrel and cylinder would be removed anyway.
Is this close to a wash $$wise compared to just replacing the grip frame and the other parts?? It wouldn't have to be cheaper, just not excessively more.
If I intend to ever get the 5 shot .45, I'm going to have to stop procrastinating. At my age I'm just acquiring things for my sons and grandsons. I would like to enjoy it myself before they get it.
John
W.TN
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steve
.375 Atomic
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Post by steve on Jul 26, 2014 14:53:24 GMT -5
It depends....I can only explain from my point of view. I'm 6'5" and have big hands. A box stock Ruger Bisley with heavy .44 or .45 Colt loads has always beat the crap out of my middle knuckle. Jack's modified Bisley is great. It's money well spent. Though, if you shoot a lot I would very much recommend his modified/reshaped plow handle........That's what I have done to my revolvers, and they all get shot.
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Post by whitworth on Jul 26, 2014 15:22:12 GMT -5
I agree completely with Steve.
The reconfigured plow handle and a completely custom set of grips for your hand only runs $325.00 and in my opinion, this is money very well spent. I love the modified Bisley, but the Huntington version of the plow handle I like even more.
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Post by arokcrwlr on Jul 26, 2014 17:08:06 GMT -5
I'm another one in agreement. Jack's modified plow handle grip frame is the ticket. My preference in order used to be FA and then Bisley - now it's modified plow handle, FA, then Bisley.
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alamogunr
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Post by alamogunr on Jul 26, 2014 18:02:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. I didn't realize that Huntington had a modified Bisley grip frame. I guess what I saw in the book and what I described in my OP was a modified plow handle because that is what it looked like.
I just went back to the book and sure enough, there are pictures of both a modified Bisley and a modified plow handle. The plow handle mod is what I'm interested in. $325 including a set of custom grips is reasonable provided I can have some input on material.
I'm going to have to finish reading the book before I commit any $$ to anything. I'm only halfway thru.
John
W.TN
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Post by cddogfan1 on Jul 26, 2014 21:59:12 GMT -5
Jack will give you all the input you want on the handle material. Wood or micarta. You can supply or he can pretty much your hearts desire.
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44spl
.30 Stingray
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Post by 44spl on Jul 30, 2014 23:23:40 GMT -5
I've just started reading the Book of Ruger Revolvers on Kindle. One thing that already caught my interest is the section about Jack Huntington's modification of the Ruger Super Blackhawk grip frame to approximate the Bisley grip frame. I've been wanting a 5 shot .45 Colt but would prefer to use an old Super Blackhawk as the base. This gun is a real beater. I bought it used for a very low price because it had apparently been stored in a leather holster and the barrel and cylinder are severely rusted. It would involve more work to replace the trigger, hammer and modify the grip frame, but would enable me to save a Bisley and utilize a gun that beats the c$%p out of my middle knuckle. The barrel and cylinder would be removed anyway. Is this close to a wash $$wise compared to just replacing the grip frame and the other parts?? It wouldn't have to be cheaper, just not excessively more. If I intend to ever get the 5 shot .45, I'm going to have to stop procrastinating. At my age I'm just acquiring things for my sons and grandsons. I would like to enjoy it myself before they get it. John W.TN Hi John, Before I knew about Huntington's custom grip frames, I switched out my SBH dragoon GF with sq back trigger guard to the SBH Hunter plow handle GF; same size and length, same grips as the dragoon, but with a round trigger guard. Same front strap length as the Bisley but more knuckle room than the Bisley! Because the Hunter GF is as long as the Bisley and as long as Jack Huntington's, I didn't have to add any length to it. I just grind off the heel and toe of the butt, taper up the front and rear grip straps w/o going thru them, repolish (only made in stainless), and just sand down the factory grips to match. Voila, I had made my own Huntington custom grip that fits my big hands! This photo on Dustin Linebaugh's site shows the difference in knuckle clearance and same grip length of the Hunter SBH and Bisley grips, here: www.dustinlinebaugh.com/gallery_009.htmSBH Hunter GF, $119 at Brownells: www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/grip-frames/grip-frame-hunter-ss-prod18828.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=RUGERJim |
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Post by whitworth on Jul 31, 2014 5:21:00 GMT -5
Huntington's grip mods to the plow handle (various) are pretty considerable. It's not just a lengthening. It gives you that vertical, Bisley-esque grip angle, but with a whole lot more knuckle room. The grips are made off of a tracing of your hand so they fit properly. It's money well spent as far as I am concerned.
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44spl
.30 Stingray
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Post by 44spl on Jul 31, 2014 18:49:30 GMT -5
Hi whitworth, The Huntington custom plow handle grip frame actually has no more knuckle room than the Ruger XR3-RED size shown with Jack's below. And the SBH Hunter has the exact same knuckle room as well (2nd photo). Both of these Ruger GFs have more knuckle room than the Ruger Bisley GF. As posted above, Jack's can be made starting with a Ruger Hunter grip frame: "just grind off the heel and toe of the butt, taper up the front and rear grip straps w/o going thru them" (compare both photos):   Jim |
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Post by whitworth on Jul 31, 2014 19:18:57 GMT -5
I am well aware that it has the same knuckle room as the stock plow handle it is based off. It has a more vertical profile like a Bisley but with space to spare. That was the point I was trying to make. Have you handled a Huntington modified grip? Just curious. Not sure what I am supposed to be comparing.
The beauty of the reworked grip is that you are getting something substantially better than stock and a first class set of custom grips that are actually made for your hand for $325.00. I've paid more for inferior grips alone.
But hey, if you can duplicate it at home, or do something similar to your satisfaction, more power to you. Me? I know my limitations and am more than happy to have someone who knows what they're doing handled it for me. I just know what feels right and lets me shoot better.
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44spl
.30 Stingray
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Post by 44spl on Jul 31, 2014 23:41:17 GMT -5
Oh sorry whitworth, I should have said that I too feel Jack's custom frames with custom grips are a good bargain! When you said his mods are pretty considerable, not just length, I was trying to show in the photos that once he knocks off the heel and toe and tapered (straightened) the back strap a little, you can see how he got to his shape when compared to the stock Ruger GF, that's all.
I believe the majority of his price is for his beautiful custom grips. The mods like his that I made to my SBH Hunter frame didn't take long at all because I didn't have to add the length as he does; the Hunter GF already has it. His way, lengthening a standard XR3-RED GF is more work but also puts more weight in the hand for balance and recoil mitigation. I should ask him how much for just custom grips fit to my modified Hunter frame.
Thx,
Jim
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