BFR grips

So I have a BFR in 500 mag and I'd like to change the grips. Does anyone have an experience with the wood Hogue grips or the black micarta ones that Magnum Research offers? The factory ones are a little odd shaped and I'd like something a little easier to hold onto. And maybe something s little more visually pleasing. I’ve herd of modifying Ruger grips to fit this frame but there are to many conflicting stories and any clarification from some one who has done this would be helpful.
Thanks for any help.

I have two BFRs, and was also looking at those grips. Seems to me, that with those hard grips, that thing might dig into your hand like a steam shovel.

I was thinking the same thing looking at them. I've heard good comments about the Hogue design, but only second hand :rolleyes:. I was hoping someone would have first hand experience with something more comfortable. I've shot the S&W 500 with the 8+" barrel and the grips fit my hand nice. I like the way my BFR is built better and like the long cylinder and the single action. I just wish there was a grip for average to small hands.:banghead:

Apparently this is not a popular pistol :(

On the contrary. The BFR is well known, and there is quite a few of them out there.

You only posted this a day ago, it takes time for people to get to it. It is not an unpopular pistol ay all.

I have two of them. I have tried a few different grips on my BFR 500 Mag, The factory grips SUCK. I bough a set of the Hogue wooden grips for it from Magnum Research, and after 10 rounds the grips split.
I then ordered the Hogue rubber grips for it, the Ruger Super Blackhawk square trigger guard ones, and used them for a while. But I did not like the rubber grips on the single action. I now own a set of black micarta, and love them.

I also have a BFR in 45-70, I had a custom set of buffalo horn grips made for it, I like the look of them, but they are to thin for my big band, so I think I am going to order another set of the black micarta for it.

RedHawk:D How do those Black Grips feel when you put about 25, or 30 rounds thru it. I really like the looks of them. Did you install them, or did they do it at the factory?

Actually they feel very good, better than the factory, and Hogue grips. I have shot several 100 round sessions with them on with HOT 370 gr. loads with no problem. I do wear a shooting glove when I am at the range, but not when hunting.

I installed them myself, and the fit was fine.

This is not the first time I have heard of problems with the wood grips. I like the look of the black ones, and WILL be using gloves. So RedHawk, your custom grips are to small for your hands? Are they that much smaller than the black ones? I have medium to small hands and will be shooting with gloves, so this is a factory in choosing grips. I wouldn’t mind going the extra mile for custom grips if they fit my paws well.

atlanticfire, yes they are thinner than the black micarta ones. They look good, but are just to thin for my liking. They are black also.

If you are interested in trying them, I can send them to you, and if you like them, I will sell them for a lot less than I bought them for.

wow, thanks for the offer! I'll PM you.

BFRs are fun plinkers.

BFRs are fun plinkers.

Mine are for hunting not plinking. :)

atlanticfire, how do you like the grips, I sent them to you last week to try out, and have not heard back from you.

I received them Monday! I got a chance to put them on my BFR on Tuesday night. They look really nice, but don't fit my frame very well. The front and back of the frame handle sticks out a little further them the grips cover. It leaves the sharp edge of the frame exposed to my hand. I am going to be using shooting gloves, but this might be a little rough on my hand. I'll take another look at them tonight. I haven't had much time to play, since I’m in the middle of doing major renovations to my house. I'll get back to you tomorrow if I decide to keep them or not. Thanks again for sending them to me. At least this gives me an idea of how other grips might fit as well!

atlanticfire, don't know if you have decided on your grips yet, but I also have a pretty small hand and finally settled on the black micarta ones from MR (made by Hogue) I also have the wood ones from MR, but they are just huge in my hand.I think asthetic wise the wood ones looked the best with the .500's long cylinder, but with my padded shooting gloves on the micartas just fit right.The micartas did take about an evening with a metal fingernail file and some sand paper to fit right, but it was a gratifying little project.So if you are still grip shopping for your .500 bfr, might give the micartas a try.

Yeah, Im still looking around. I've been shooting it with the factory grips wearing gloves and its just a little to hard to hold onto with all that grip and gloves between me and the frame:barf:. Gotta watch my money though, I had an unexpected TV purchases last night.:uhoh:

Yeah I hear ya on the tight funds.Gotta figure out what I'm going to do about this whole digital TV thing next month.The micarta grips ar 99.00 from Magnum Research, and even though made by Hogue, Hogue won't sell em direct.Gotta go through MR.But you probably know this already.I found the stock rubber grips fit OK with no gloves on, but that hurt!As I said earlier I also have the Hogue Pao Ferro wood grips for it which are very big for my hand.I have not tried shooting with them and was going to put em on for giggles out of boredom, but the whole cracking thing has now got me spooked :(

Ok, just got off the phone with Bob at Magnum Reaearch.He did admit they have had a few cases of the cracked wood grips, but said its the exception not the rule (of course ;)However he said they will either replace them or refund your money if this happens.Anyway for me the wood grips are definately out as a field grip, though I think I may try them out at the range for giggles knowing they'll give me a refund or replacement.

$99.00, where did you see that at? I just got on there site and they were $160.00 for the Black Micarta.

I still have my cracked wooden grips from Magnum Research. I glued them back together, so I probably voided the warranty.

since this thread is here I would like to ask what Super blackwawk grips do and don't fit the BFR

I would like to buy a nice set of black pearlites for the 30-30

Redhawk, that $160.00 is to have them fit the grips to your gun.If you call them they will sell you just the grips alone for $99.00 + SH.

Krochus, I have a 7 1/2" squareback super blackhawk bought new in 2004, and the grips are not a direct fit on my several month old BFR.Supposedly they would fit the older BFR's I'm told.

Krochus, I have a 7 1/2" squareback super blackhawk bought new in 2004, and the grips are not a direct fit on my several month old BFR.Supposedly they would fit the older BFR's I'm told.

that backs up what I've found as well.

BUT when you remove the uncle mikes OE BFR grips they say SuperBlackhawk on the inside

cloudswimmer, thanks that is good to know. The Black Micarta I had on my BFR 500 Mag are now on my BFR 45-70 that I bought several years ago. I thought the price went up at Magnum Research.

I want another pair for my 500 Mag, so I guess I will order them.

Redawk, when your wood grips split, how bad was it or rather where did it split.Was it something you definately noticed right away, or a hairline crack you saw latter.Did you call MR on it?They told me they would refund my money if that happened.I installed my woods last night just for something to do, but you got me a little paranoid actually firing it with em on.

Krochus, thats an interesting observation.Now I'm going to have to dig my OEM's out tonight and see if they say super blackhawk.My quess is when they changed the mold they modified the existing one without deleting the lettering.

The spilt was at the bottom of the grip, I noticed it right away, it was pinching my hand. No I did not call MR, I guess I should of, but it was splitting were they joined the 2 half's together. So I just epoxied them back together and have not used them since.

I was thinking of some of trying the Houge grips on my BFR, how was the fit of the Super Blackhawk Houge's? I had a set on my GP100 and liked them alot.

They fit my BFR very well, I put them back on my BFR 500 Mag, until I get the black Micarta ordered. My BFR in 45-70 has the black Micarta on them right now.

How does the recoil/muzzle blast compare between the 45-70 and the 500?
The 500 is quiet a handful.

I shot it today quite a bit and I'm getting use to it. I like the gloves and find I can shot alot more before my hands start to get tired. Its not as bad as I initially thought.

Another thing, my BFR is kind of new. I've only got about 50 rounds through it. I had alot of light primer strikes in the beginning but it seams to be less and less. Maybe needs more rounds to be broken in? Anyone else have anything like this?

Maybe your limpwristing it. :neener:

Naaa, It’s done when I shot it and when my brother shots it too, who shoots his FA 454 that actually kicks harder. And the primer only has a small indentation in it. The second time around it always goes bang though.

Mine puts a deep indentation on the primer. I did notice in the downloadable users manual where it wasn't recommended to dry fire the BFR.
This sort of took me by surprise.
Are you using large rifle primers?
How are you seating your primers? On press or with a hand primer?
I had an issue once (different gun) where I just lightly snugged the primers in the pocket and had some light strike problems. I started seating them harder with a hand primer and the problems went away.

By the way, I think it would be impossible to limp wrist the BFR and not suffer some sort of facial injury. :D

:uhoh::what:I gurantee, that you won't limp wrist it but just one time, and one time only

I'm using WLR primers and press seating them. I also have a hand prime tool but don’t have the holder for the 500, maybe that’s something I should look into. When I do them on the press they appear to be seated correctly. But you might be right and then need a little extra tension. I will never attempt to limp wrist my BFR I like my forehead without any permanent dents thank you.

Fatdaddy, the 45-70 compared to the 500 Mag as far as recoil/muzzle blast is. The 500 Mag has more muzzle blast. But with Marlin loads in the 45-70 the muzzle blast is not as bad but the felt recoil is right there with the 500 Mag.

atlanticfire, I have not had a problem with light primer strikes in either of my BFR. I also use the Lee hand primer and I make sure the primer is seated all the way in. If you don't seat the prime all the way in, you can get light primer strikes. The primer will push in and not ignite, leaving you with the light primer strikes, that is why they go off the second time, because the primer is nor properly seated.

I use WLR primers also in my 500 Mags.

But if you are still experiencing the problem, contact MR and have them look at the gun.