Grip Frame fitting

[bt8541]

I am looking to buy a ruger blackhawk and have a new bisley grip frame fitted as finding a Bisley 41 mag is very hard or stupidly expensive. I have a NIW stainless frame in my parts bin, so not really looking to send it to RWS and purchase one of his frames. 

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. BT 8541 / J. Sisco

[edk]

One caution: When Ruger fits a Bisley grip frame at the factory, they typically do not grind the "ears" on the cylinder frame to as steep a slope as compared to fitting a Blackhawk grip frame. This can mean when fitting a Bisley grip frame "in the field" you may need to weld up the ears to achieve a proper line. AKA "can of worms".

[bt8541]

That does not supprise me. One of the reasons that I would like some one experienced in fitting a grip frame on these handguns.

[azdover]

It might be cheaper in the long run to just keep looking for a 41 Mag Bisley at a price you're willing to pay. I don't think fitting the grip frame is hard but it is time consuming. Unless you have a buddy who is willing to do for a couple of cases of beers (if I was that buddy, it would be a beer truck full of beer cases), figuring the price of the gun, extra parts like grip panels and a Bisley hammer and trigger, re-bluing if required, plus labor, I bet you you're getting pretty close to the price of what's available out there on the market.

If you decide on the DIY approach, I'm sure you've seen there's a lot of good info in the forum. One solution to fitting the cylinder frame ears to the grip frame is the "french curve." It's also on the forum.

[singleaction]

I believe most guns, post 2000, are cast with higher frame ears. If the hammer’s pivoting radius that is supposed to match the grip-frame ear’s radius matches, then you can get a proper fit with a bisley grip frame. If the grip frame ears sit lower than the hammer’s pivoting radius ( i.e. the hammer’s pivoting radius is slightly exposed) then you you won’t be able to get the clean “arching” fit for the bisley grip frame. When the main frame ears get ground too low you end having to fit with more of a straight line or even a negative angle as opossed to an the arch. I have a stainless 44spl bisley that has what I call a “Friday afternoon fit”, where the bisley grip frame was fit with an harshly steeped straight line from right behind the loading gate on down. It’s not the prettiest thing, but I live with it.