Little Ruger

[chaos]

Good evening Gents. I haven't posted or been around in forever. Cannot remember how to post pics here anymore.

To the point: I picked up a Single Six a month and a half ago. Specimen is a 1985 model chambered in .32 and is pristine save for a few tiny flakes of paint on the aluminum grip frame.

I love the little gun and she shoot like a dream. My problem is my pinky hangs off the grip. Same with my 357 Blackhawk. I never shoot the .357 because of this. I want to like this Single Six, what can I do to these guns to make them more grip friendly?

I believe I lose a bit of accuracy because of always adjusting my grip on the two guns. Have no problems with Super Blackhawk plow grips or BFR banana grips.

Thanks for your time.

Colby

[Professor]

Call Ronnie Wells. He makes a variety of suitable grip frames. Or find a takeoff super grip frame.

[kevshell]

My first thought was also the Ronnie Wells grip frames. You might may find a Bisley frame as well but you may need to fit and finish the frame where as the brass grip frame would not need refinishing. Another far less expensive option is to purchase flat bottom grips which is an improvement or to buy grips that extend below the bottom of the grip frame. I'm not a big fan of the plow handle but to me it is significantly improved with flat bottom grips.

[bula]

Or a Hunter frame, though SS and likely harder to find ? I've not yet bought from, but gotta believe, the guys are right and Ronnie Wells is the correct answer here. 

[contender]

I concur with the above folks that a RW grip frame would be the IDEAL option.

However,, if $$$ is a concern,, then the second solution is to find a Ruger factory grip frame that fits your hands & get it & a set of grips.


BUT,, as a Ruger collector,, I immediately asked myself; "I wonder if his .32 is one of the SHORTER grip frames that Ruger produced?" There is a model of the .32 H&R Single-Six that was built for smaller hands. As such,, it has a shorter g/f & grips.

So,, MAYBE just any Ruger g/f that fits YOUR hands can solve the issue. The normal length Blackhawk g/f or the longer ones as mentioned above. (SBH or Hunter)

[1873coltguy]

If it's something that you want to enjoy shooting a lot then a rw grip frame is a very fun and rewarding investment. Mine has totally changed my enjoyment of my flattop. While there a 2dogs sight is also a huge improvement over the factory rear. Ronnie is great to deal with and he wants to make you happy with his products.

[bamagreg]

Jul 9, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -5 chaos said:

Good evening Gents. I haven't posted or been around in forever. Cannot remember how to post pics here anymore.

To the point: I picked up a Single Six a month and a half ago. Specimen is a 1985 model chambered in .32 and is pristine save for a few tiny flakes of paint on the aluminum grip frame.

I love the little gun and she shoot like a dream. My problem is my pinky hangs off the grip. Same with my 357 Blackhawk. I never shoot the .357 because of this. I want to like this Single Six, what can I do to these guns to make them more grip friendly?

I believe I lose a bit of accuracy because of always adjusting my grip on the two guns. Have no problems with Super Blackhawk plow grips or BFR banana grips.

Thanks for your time.

Colby

Over the years I have just learned to accept the fact that on an XR3-Red grip frame my little finger is going to wrap below the grip.  Once you get used to it, it actually works pretty good.

[markwell]

      I have 2 RW Potato Judge Jr. grip frames on .32 SSs.  They have proved to be the way to go, for me. Also, the 2dogs rear sight blades make a huge difference in the little gun's sight pictures.
      I'd spend the $sand go with a RW frame.  Call Ronnie and he'll talk you thru it....

[bobwright]

With the popularity of the Bisley grip, most gunsmiths should havve a grip frame from a Super Blackhawk laying around and likely would be glad to sell/fit one to your Rugers.

Bob Wright

[RDW]

Jul 9, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -5 chaos said:

Good evening Gents. I haven't posted or been around in forever. Cannot remember how to post pics here anymore.

To the point: I picked up a Single Six a month and a half ago. Specimen is a 1985 model chambered in .32 and is pristine save for a few tiny flakes of paint on the aluminum grip frame.

I love the little gun and she shoot like a dream. My problem is my pinky hangs off the grip. Same with my 357 Blackhawk. I never shoot the .357 because of this. I want to like this Single Six, what can I do to these guns to make them more grip friendly?

I believe I lose a bit of accuracy because of always adjusting my grip on the two guns. Have no problems with Super Blackhawk plow grips or BFR banana grips.

Thanks for your time.

Colby

Howdy.
Well sir you are experiencing the same problem that about 75 percent of the general American population has.
I love the early 32 HR mags. And you are correct, they shoot like a dream. But that little grip frame does give some of us a hard time. Thank Goodness they are not big recoilers huh?
The XR3 RED is the grip frame that was used, however Contender is right about the special run. I even remember it advertised in the mid 80s. I just dont remember how much different it was because i never got one.
My first grip frame change on my original 32 was with a Super Blackhawk Dragoon that i made out of brass sometime in the late 80s. Possibly 89 or 90.
If its a budget thing, get me a picture of it because if it is isnt an XR3 Red and it is smaller we all have tons of takeoffs that would work for you.
If you dont mind stepping off into the abyss of customization, I strongly suggest the XR3 RED Plus .300, The Dealer, which are fantastic grip frames for control and recoil reduction on the big cals. Or The Martin Hybrid which is a combination of those 2. Here is an overlay of the 2 possiblilitys on your 32. This is the only differance between the Xr3 and the XR3 RED. Length is the same. XR3 In Red  XR3 RED In Black. the XR3 RED is .150 backwards giving more knuckle room.



This is A Dealer in Black over The XR3 RED In red. Notice the differance  in length.



Here is s Martin Hybrid over the top of what you probably have.. The trigger guard on the martin is more rounded and a smidge bigger and the top rear ears or more rounded. And ofcourse more length.



Hope that helps bud.
R

[chaos]

Jul 10, 2024 9:54:14 GMT -5 RDW said:

Jul 9, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -5 chaos said:

Good evening Gents. I haven't posted or been around in forever. Cannot remember how to post pics here anymore.

To the point: I picked up a Single Six a month and a half ago. Specimen is a 1985 model chambered in .32 and is pristine save for a few tiny flakes of paint on the aluminum grip frame.

I love the little gun and she shoot like a dream. My problem is my pinky hangs off the grip. Same with my 357 Blackhawk. I never shoot the .357 because of this. I want to like this Single Six, what can I do to these guns to make them more grip friendly?

I believe I lose a bit of accuracy because of always adjusting my grip on the two guns. Have no problems with Super Blackhawk plow grips or BFR banana grips.

Thanks for your time.

Colby

Howdy.
Well sir you are experiencing the same problem that about 75 percent of the general American population has.
I love the early 32 HR mags. And you are correct, they shoot like a dream. But that little grip frame does give some of us a hard time. Thank Goodness they are not big recoilers huh?
The XR3 RED is the grip frame that was used, however Contender is right about the special run. I even remember it advertised in the mid 80s. I just dont remember how much different it was because i never got one.
My first grip frame change on my original 32 was with a Super Blackhawk Dragoon that i made out of brass sometime in the late 80s. Possibly 89 or 90.
If its a budget thing, get me a picture of it because if it is isnt an XR3 Red and it is smaller we all have tons of takeoffs that would work for you.
If you dont mind stepping off into the abyss of customization, I strongly suggest the XR3 RED Plus .300, The Dealer, which are fantastic grip frames for control and recoil reduction on the big cals. Or The Martin Hybrid which is a combination of those 2. Here is an overlay of the 2 possiblilitys on your 32. This is the only differance between the Xr3 and the XR3 RED. Length is the same. XR3 In Red  XR3 RED In Black. the XR3 RED is .150 backwards giving more knuckle room.



This is A Dealer in Black over The XR3 RED In red. Notice the differance  in length.



Here is s Martin Hybrid over the top of what you probably have.. The trigger guard on the martin is more rounded and a smidge bigger and the top rear ears or more rounded. And ofcourse more length.



Hope that helps bud.
R

I will get in touch with you when my discretionary funds allow.


I've never made a set of grips to fit, But assume someone can point me in the right direction. Heck, I learned Bird taxidermy from a few videos and am considered a bit handy.

I have a problem with my pinky on my strong hand. I actually cut the damn thing pretty bad some 20 years ago. I have very little feeling past the last knuckle. It gets lazy and drifts under and has caused issue in the past. When I first got into Big bores and was learning the ropes, sighting in a big revolver was a bloody endeavor. A stout loaded 44 would pulverize me when resting the barrel on a tall bag.
I have since figured out how to keep said digit in place on larger frames and sight in with my wrists supported on a bag and let the gun touch nothing.

The 32 has the same grip frame as it's bigger brother in .357. Both ever so slightly too short to suit me. The 44,45 of the ruger line suit me fine. I do prefer the ugly banana grip of the bfr to all of them

[z1r]

Jul 10, 2024 9:34:26 GMT -5 bamagreg said:

Jul 9, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -5 chaos said:

Good evening Gents. I haven't posted or been around in forever. Cannot remember how to post pics here anymore.

To the point: I picked up a Single Six a month and a half ago. Specimen is a 1985 model chambered in .32 and is pristine save for a few tiny flakes of paint on the aluminum grip frame.

I love the little gun and she shoot like a dream. My problem is my pinky hangs off the grip. Same with my 357 Blackhawk. I never shoot the .357 because of this. I want to like this Single Six, what can I do to these guns to make them more grip friendly?

I believe I lose a bit of accuracy because of always adjusting my grip on the two guns. Have no problems with Super Blackhawk plow grips or BFR banana grips.

Thanks for your time.

Colby

Over the years I have just learned to accept the fact that on an XR3-Red grip frame my little finger is going to wrap below the grip.  Once you get used to it, it actually works pretty good.

I'm so accustomed to shooting Single Actions in this manner that I instinctively grip a Bisley the same way; my pinky is wrapped under the grip.

[azdover]

Ronnie's your man, he'll set you up.  Another option is his Kaytod.  It's made for smaller hands.  I put one on a 22 Single Six for the grandkids to use but I don't have any problems hanging on to it even with my XL size mitt.



Kaytod compared to Ruger plow handle.



The plow handle compared to a factory Bisley grip.  These pop up on MidwayUSA on occasion so you might want to put it on your watch list.



And here's the two of them for comparison.



If you order from Ronnie, make sure order his Third Hand Tool - it will be the best $20 you ever spent since you'll be spending a lot of time taking apart and putting the gun together again and again. 

You might also want to order his grip panels too.  They're slightly oversized for whichever frame you choose so you can shape them to your own taste.  The grip panels I used took quite a bit of work to fit.  The ones on the the stainless factory Bisley grip frame are Hogue and they are slightly undersized.  The ones on the blue Single Six are some spare pieces of mystery wood i found in my garage and took a lot more time to fit and finish.

Good luck and have fun on your project.  Make sure to post up pictures when you're done.
Pete

[z1r]

Jul 10, 2024 9:00:21 GMT -5 contender said:

I concur with the above folks that a RW grip frame would be the IDEAL option.

However,, if $$$ is a concern,, then the second solution is to find a Ruger factory grip frame that fits your hands & get it & a set of grips.


BUT,, as a Ruger collector,, I immediately asked myself; "I wonder if his .32 is one of the SHORTER grip frames that Ruger produced?" There is a model of the .32 H&R Single-Six that was built for smaller hands. As such,, it has a shorter g/f & grips.

So,, MAYBE just any Ruger g/f that fits YOUR hands can solve the issue. The normal length Blackhawk g/f or the longer ones as mentioned above. (SBH or Hunter)

This is one of those .32's with the shorter grip frame. As I recall, they only equipped the fixed sight model with these short grip frames. I got it without grips but was able to fit a set of XR3-Red grips and shorten them.

[harveylogan]

Single Seven 327M, same size as a single six w/ a RW Keith #5