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Post by potatojudge on Apr 20, 2021 13:39:00 GMT -5
This is a 45 Colt/ACP convertible that Gallagher did a grip frame swap and rebarrel of along with action work, DX front sight, and Bowen rear. It was my first semi-custom and came without grips, so I made these out of stabilized spalted maple. The vertical white line front and outline rear gives a nice white "W" sight picture. The grip frame handles recoil, in my hands, from 325 grain loads at 1300 fps nearly as well as a full Bisley. This is one I used to work my way out to 50, 75, and 100 yards on silhouette targets back when I lived in Louisiana. I'd do an aluminum birds head 41 in a heartbeat. Aluminum ERH, 3 inch barrel, RMR for a rear optic so sight radius and failing light aren't an issue.
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rocdoc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 133
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Post by rocdoc on Apr 20, 2021 14:02:53 GMT -5
Try it, you can always change to somethng else easily, no need to get rid of a SA revolver because you don't like the grip frame.
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tj3006
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,958
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Post by tj3006 on Apr 22, 2021 8:53:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the good answers. I will talk the grip frame over with Ronny before I buy. I have other projects in mind to. (DUH) I think a Custom S6 in .327 fed with a 4 5/8ths barrel and a long Cylinder would make a great platform for a birds head potato judge that thing is gorgeous. but no optic on a gun like that for me. Maybe on a dedicated , though. judge... tj
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,573
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Post by jeffh on Apr 22, 2021 11:09:48 GMT -5
I am probably the retarded duck of the bunch but I cant stand the birds head grip at all. I lose it in my oversized mitts no matter the caliber. XR3-Red is as small as I can go and hit anything smaller than water from the bottom of a lake. ME TOO!!
I have the opposite problem. I get lost on the Bisley and SBH grip frames - could never seem to get the same grip/hold form one shot to the next, especially between shot strings or sessions - after letting go of the gun.
I've not used the Bird's head, but logged on to comment on the aluminum aspect. While not as attractive as steel, the aluminum grip frames set the "balance" on most Ruger BHs at just the right spot for me.
As far as the 41 being a handful, I actually found the SBHs to shoot more comfortably for me with the smaller Old Army grip frame. I'm not sure why, but it was actually more comfortable on max loads than the larger grip.
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rkrcpa
.30 Stingray
Posts: 256
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Post by rkrcpa on Apr 22, 2021 11:26:34 GMT -5
I would not use an aluminum grip frame if my intention is to shoot magnum level loads. My mid frame 41 mag has a round butt aluminum grip frame. I inadvertently loaded some full house 250gr wfngc loads one day. Trust me, I won't do that again. As soon as I get time I am going to swap to a stainless grip frame in order to change the balance but it will still be primarily a 41 special.
Full disclosure, I wear an XL to XXL glove and much prefer a Bisley grip.
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Post by buckelliott on Apr 22, 2021 12:28:58 GMT -5
Would I ? No, not ever... None of the various "bird's head" grips I have handled over rhe last several decades support the gun properly in my hand. The "tail" on a single action grip is there for a very legitimate reason.
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Post by taffin on Apr 22, 2021 14:31:56 GMT -5
I actually found the SBHs to shoot more comfortably for me with the smaller Old Army grip frame. I'm not sure why, but it was actually more comfortable on max loads than the larger grip.
MY MOST USED OLD MODEL SUPER BLACKHAWK HAS AN XR GRIP3 FRAME
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Post by dougader on Apr 22, 2021 14:58:30 GMT -5
I would not use an aluminum grip frame if my intention is to shoot magnum level loads. My mid frame 41 mag has a round butt aluminum grip frame. I inadvertently loaded some full house 250gr wfngc loads one day. Trust me, I won't do that again. As soon as I get time I am going to swap to a stainless grip frame in order to change the balance but it will still be primarily a 41 special. Full disclosure, I wear an XL to XXL glove and much prefer a Bisley grip. I'm looking at a 41 Spl conversion on an OM 357 BH now and will go with the rounded XR3 gripframe to start. But I am also looking seriously at the several round butt Bisley gripframes Ronnie Wells is offering now. The Potato Judge Jr Bisley, or even the youth Bisley may have merit on a Lil' Gun from Andy Horvath. I'd love it if there were plastic mock-ups of the various (myriad?) new RW gripframes a guy could handle to see what fits his hand best. The stainless steel birdshead on my midframe Montado balances very well and my hands are small enough to fit all fingers on the grip. I actually prefer the birdshead to the plowhandle.... XR3/XR3-RED style unless you're shooting full bore 41/44 mag/45 Colt and higher. A 250 @ 1,000 in 45 Colt isn't bad at all in the Montado. I imagine a 210-220 @ 1,000 won't be bad in the recoil department either. Again, the new RW Birdshead frames have my interest as well... the K-Bird, etc...
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Post by rjm52 on Apr 23, 2021 5:04:23 GMT -5
Can only speak to the standard aluminum XR3-RED gripframe on the standard 4 5/8" and 6.5" BHs...
Most any load with a 230 or lower weight bullet can be easily controlled... I have shot 250s at 1400+ and 265s at 1300+ and they are not pleasant at all from these guns...but I can shoot them all day long from an all steel FA 83 and the gun gun my Avitar which is a Gary Reeder 5-shot with his Gunfighter Bisley grip. Even 300s at 1250 are fine...
If 90+% of ones shooting with a .41 is going to be with standard factory level loads or "Specials" (800-1100 fps) most any weight gun and gripframe is going to work. And in reality what does one need one of the 250-300 grain full load stompers for anyway. I only use them for long range shooting from heavy guns.
People are successfully using 9mms, .40s and .357s against bear so I would rather run a 220-250 at 1100 fps and have control for followup shots than a 250 at 1400 and limited control...
Bob
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tj3006
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,958
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Post by tj3006 on Apr 25, 2021 20:40:40 GMT -5
Quite a lot of opinions here, Not a surprise, at all. One of the great things about hand loading is Loading for a given gun and or purpose. If I went with a birds head on this revolver, I would tailor a load for it. say a 225 grain bullet at 1000 to 1100 fps. Not full magnums but plenty of power, but I think I might like a Birds head better on a smaller frame gun, Maybe a 44 special. I am in no Hurry , I might just keep my 41 as is and wait for a Medium frame or maybe a Single six, and do a ,327 federal. I enjoy hell out of that round and in a 6 shot long cylinder , You could load pretty hot. I have enough 357s. Or do I? ...tj
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rocdoc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 133
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Post by rocdoc on Apr 25, 2021 21:54:01 GMT -5
To me, the factory issue BH grips look a little out of proportion on anything other than the small frames.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,573
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Post by jeffh on Apr 27, 2021 10:11:10 GMT -5
I actually found the SBHs to shoot more comfortably for me with the smaller Old Army grip frame. I'm not sure why, but it was actually more comfortable on max loads than the larger grip. MY MOST USED OLD MODEL SUPER BLACKHAWK HAS AN XR GRIP3 FRAME EXACTLY as it has seemed to me for as long as I've been shooting BHs and SBHs. In fact, I specifically remember some point over twenty years ago when I stopped doubting this notion (which others seemed to think preposterous) and installed my Stainless Old Army grip frame to my OM SBH one last time and for good, while shooting stiff 310 grain LEEs through it. MUCH more comfortable (for me) to shoot, but didn't help that they shot higher than my rear sight could accommodate.
I also specifically remember thinking about YOU, sir, when I was shooting those, so I can't say the idea of using the XR3-RED was "mine" - more likely I got it from you? I know I've been reading your work for a long time and have been positively influenced by it all along, so much of my experience is based on considering your perspective. I don't remember which of your articles my mind referenced, but I still have a vague image of your picture at the beginning of it. I also can't remember if the article was about grips or heavy (still "book") loads. Funny, the stuff one's mind retains and offers up later as bits and pieces.
Also, to add to the "data base" of subjective sizing, I just bought a new pair of Wells Lamont cowhide gloves in ACE on Sunday and I am able to wiggle into "MEDIUM" size without it being troublesome. I can't "palm" a basketball, but I also can't get my hand into most obvious passages in the engine compartment of MOST vehicles built after 1965. I add this for reference in case it helps anyone form their own perspective.
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rhino
.30 Stingray
Posts: 188
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Post by rhino on May 3, 2021 22:01:41 GMT -5
Not aluminum alloy but it is one of Ronnie's brass "K" bird grip frames.
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rhino
.30 Stingray
Posts: 188
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Post by rhino on May 3, 2021 23:12:14 GMT -5
I have installed 4 of Ronnie's grip frames so far, an XR3 Round butt, SBH with round trigger guard, K bird, and Wells #9. All of them are awesome but the K bird and Well's #9 really are impressive. They are a really good fit for a Neanderthal/Sasquatch mix.😂
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groo
.327 Meteor
I yet live!!!!
Posts: 855
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Post by groo on May 4, 2021 9:19:35 GMT -5
Groo here I have a Ruger 3 3/4in Vaquero with a bird grip in 44 mag......... For me , the grip hides easy and allows the shooting of factory 240gr 44 mag. The gun is all SS and fixed sight. My use is as a carry along with my SS rossi m-92 44mag. Though , like many , I load lighter . I can shoot factory if needed. Ps. I shoot the grip like I shoot a standard grip, my little finger under the grip and one handed is easer [foe me] Like my Horvath 3 3/4 in new vaquero 41mag, the gun does not like a rest but groups well two or one handed..
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