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Post by bigbore5 on Nov 21, 2023 21:23:28 GMT -5
Can someone point to a page in this thread that describes in great detail how to fit aluminum grip frames to SS Blackhawks with all the tools and techniques included. I have two aluminum RW frames I bought last spring, and I’m working up the courage to fit them myself to a couple of SS FT 44 special Bisleys. Get in touch with contender. He just started a thread on the Ruger forum detailing his fitment of one. I'm also modifying a Biznana myself right now as I get time. I'll post the grip mods and fitting it to the frame after the first of the year. |
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Post by singleaction on Nov 21, 2023 22:26:10 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by contender on Nov 22, 2023 5:56:55 GMT -5
I got slowed down on my working on the g/f to my gun. Deer season interrupted me.  But I'm trying to figure out how to get some time in to do it, and post the details. |
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Post by needsmostuff on Nov 22, 2023 9:46:05 GMT -5
Can someone point to a page in this thread that describes in great detail how to fit aluminum grip frames to SS Blackhawks with all the tools and techniques included. I have two aluminum RW frames I bought last spring, and I’m working up the courage to fit them myself to a couple of SS FT 44 special Bisleys. Well, you picked a good combination to do the project. Aluminum on stainless is the easiest combo to fit and the easiest to restore any overreach you may have with tools. The Aluminum RW uses works so easy you need to pay attention you don't remove too much too fast. Step back one page (page 81) and you can see the way I did mine in pictures. Compare that to the finished pictures and you can see the areas that must be worked and pretty much the order I worked them in. Tools ? Files and sandpaper. I used sheets of 220,500 and 800. I also use a lot 1"wide shop roll sandpaper for fitting the curves. For a brushed finish add a grey scotch brite pad. Ask questions here as you go (best with pictures) and you will always get answers. |
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Post by bigbore5 on Nov 22, 2023 11:58:03 GMT -5
If you use a file, be sure to chalk it well.
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Post by singleaction on Nov 22, 2023 16:05:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice folks, and you can keep it coming. I’m going to rewatch Ron Power’s YouTube video on fitting his #5 grip frame tonight.
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Post by northerngos on Nov 26, 2023 19:34:11 GMT -5
Does anyone know how the rw Keith no 5 compares to the powers Keith no 5? Powers makes good stuff, his is steel, and 2 pieces, Ronnie Wells are one piece and either Brass or Aluminum. And with RW you can choose options like which trigger/hammer you plan to use, and you can get longer versions and more clearance behind the trigger gaurd etc. I haven't used Powers grip frame, but had considered it. I spoke to Chad at Chigs grips prior to ordering from RW and he advised he has done grips on both RW and Powers grip frames and advised he felt both were excellent quality. Brass or Aluminum will fit easier, Powers will accept bluing, but may not perfectly match the same bluing on the Ruger frame as it is a different alloy. Rugers have a spotty reputation for accepting bluing. This is excellent info thanks!! do you happen to know outline wise if they are the same? (With regards to backstrap and front strap contour) |
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Post by RDW on Nov 27, 2023 10:55:51 GMT -5
Powers makes good stuff, his is steel, and 2 pieces, Ronnie Wells are one piece and either Brass or Aluminum. And with RW you can choose options like which trigger/hammer you plan to use, and you can get longer versions and more clearance behind the trigger gaurd etc. I haven't used Powers grip frame, but had considered it. I spoke to Chad at Chigs grips prior to ordering from RW and he advised he has done grips on both RW and Powers grip frames and advised he felt both were excellent quality. Brass or Aluminum will fit easier, Powers will accept bluing, but may not perfectly match the same bluing on the Ruger frame as it is a different alloy. Rugers have a spotty reputation for accepting bluing. This is excellent info thanks!! do you happen to know outline wise if they are the same? (With regards to backstrap and front strap contour) You Bet Man. Powers got a copy of the original Keith 5 geometry and reversed it very well. Bobby actually had the Keith # 5 in his possesion for a few months and i checked it against mine. 30 some odd years ago ( Late 80s) at china lake naval air weapons i took a picture of the keith # 5 and with a software we had on a steam powered computer , hahaha. (The early days of PCs). I rendered geometry by measuring screws and the main frame for a baseline and came up with my own geometry. When i checked it 20 years later on powers and 30 someodd years later on the real # 5, i was surprised at how close i got. The only thing i did different was lengthen the bottom an 1/8 of an inch and add more meat to the inside so i could cut it back more if i needed to give more knuckle room. The original and Powers was limited on cut back meat. I made mine thicker so i would have a larger platin for the grip panel and standardized on a pin location for panels. This is an overlay showing the difference between mine and powers which is a 2 peice. Powers follows the original to a T and is a 2 peice like so many would want to mimic and it is a really nice peice of work. His uses the same back strap and 2 different front straps for use with either a new model or old and is a brilliant design. He makes a straighter shot to the trigger for the return plunger and has a built in hammer stop via a set screw. As i stated earlier, he knocked it out of the park for design. I have several and enjoy shooting them often. Mine is a 1 peice and as mentioned earlier , thicker for modification and a little longer with rounded bottom corners that are easily knocked down. Mine is in black and the original or Powers is in Red. Notice the line behind the front strap. That indicates the amount of meat i was speaking of behind the front strap.  Hope that helps. R |
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Post by northerngos on Nov 28, 2023 22:27:21 GMT -5
Thanks Ronnie!!! I really appreciate it! Too too cool, would look great on my old army!
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Post by paleroadster on Dec 4, 2023 5:47:29 GMT -5
Here are some pics of my Flat Top .44spl with the lightning GF and Buckeye Burl panels. It still needs the Powers hammer fitted/timed and little better polishing here and there, this is what it will look like though. Tried out my Phone's photo editor "erase" function on the serial number and it works pretty well, the serial number is untouched on the actual gun though, in case anyone asks.   |
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Post by needsmostuff on Dec 6, 2023 10:00:41 GMT -5
Ohhhhh, I'm a huge fan of brass on stainless.
Curious about the purpose of the horizontal holes thru the trigger guard? looks like maybe the front one crossed the spring plunger hole.
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Post by paleroadster on Dec 6, 2023 13:52:09 GMT -5
Ohhhhh, I'm a huge fan of brass on stainless. Curious about the purpose of the horizontal holes thru the trigger guard? looks like maybe the front one crossed the spring plunger hole. Funny thing, I felt the GF was a little heavier than ideal for the 4-5/8 Flat Top, so put it in the mill and drilled a bunch of holes in the lower area of the grip. While it was in there I got a cute idea to put those two holes in as a detail, and with no double checking I drilled right through the bottom of the plunger hole. So now I will make up two tight fitting SS plugs to fill the holes, and polish them up nice, so it carries the SS into the brass. I may need to extend the plunger hole a little into the SS plug, but that won't be a problem. Just another time I made things more complicated for myself. I wish I could fix other mistakes the same way I can fix metal. |
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markwell
.30 Stingray
Firearms resale value should be your children's problem
Posts: 354
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Post by markwell on Dec 9, 2023 16:08:55 GMT -5
According to the USPS tracking deal, our 3.5" .32 Single Six landed at Ronnies shop yesterday. Can't wait to get the little blaster back. The gun left the factory in '84 as a 6.5" gun and I took a chance buying it. Whoever did the work on it knew what they were doing and a PJ jr. grip frame will just set the little gun up perfectly!
Hey Ronnie, please put the stabilized walnut grip panels on it like the first one you did for me.
Pics to follow when finished.
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Post by RDW on Dec 9, 2023 17:43:19 GMT -5
According to the USPS tracking deal, our 3.5" .32 Single Six landed at Ronnies shop yesterday. Can't wait to get the little blaster back. The gun left the factory in '84 as a 6.5" gun and I took a chance buying it. Whoever did the work on it knew what they were doing and a PJ jr. grip frame will just set the little gun up perfectly! Hey Ronnie, please put the stabilized walnut grip panels on it like the first one you did for me. Pics to follow when finished. Yes sir. Got it yesterday and did a thorough inspection. You dont want this peice of junk. Ill be glad to just save you the trouble of messin with this ole thang. haha. All caca devaca aside. You are absolutely right. This barrel shortening job is first class plus tax, title and liscence. Who ever did it was either an artist or just plane ole new what they were doing. This little scooter will be absolutely Bitchin with the pj Jr on it. Will be in touch. R PS: what a perfect barrel length for a 32 Packer huh? |
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markwell
.30 Stingray
Firearms resale value should be your children's problem
Posts: 354
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Post by markwell on Dec 10, 2023 10:55:30 GMT -5
Yep, a .32 for packin' around here in the mountains and out on the plains has been my goal of this .32 SA quest for a few years now. We've come close with our two 4 5/8" guns, but the Bisley done by SRC in ID with the steel GF is a bit on the heavy side and our home smithed/RW grip frame 4 5/8" gun, although lighter just comes up a bit short in the handiness factor. Think this 3.5" little blaster is going to be the answer with the PJ jr. aluminum grip frame. Little sucker surly does shoot, BTW. Fermin's front and the 2 dogs RW rear blade make all the difference in the sight picture and the throats seem just right for cast bullets as near as we can tell.
Going to order a holster from Barranti today.
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