Old model Birdshead grips?

[BigShep85]

Hello again guys, I am looking for some Birdshead grips for my Old model Ruger birdshead. It seems they are almost impossible to find unless they come from eagle, but I would like something a little different than theirs. Grasshorn seems to be the only other option I can find. Any suggestions?

 

[Greg528iT]

Make your own? I just made a set my my plow handle from Cocobollo.. just a scroll saw and sanding machine.

 

[forshoes]

Try Buffalo Brothers for ivory like grips. They take a little work to install, but look really neat.

Check out the Ruger pages not the bird head pages. If you PM me I'll send on a picture of my .32 H&R with the grips in place.

 

[Hondo 60]

BigShep85,
You say you have a Ruger Old Model, but old model what?
Is it a Vaquero, or a Single Six?
(I think those are the only two with bird's head grips.)

You might have more luck posting this in the Ruger Forum
http://rugerforum.net/forums.php

 

[CraigC]

"Old Model" is Ruger's official factory designation for single actions built prior to 1973 that utilize the traditional half cock action. Anything made thereafter, including the Vaquero and New Vaquero, are "New Model" single actions utilizing the "New Model" action. The only birdshead guns have been New Models.

 

[Greg528iT]

The only birdshead guns have been New Models.

As far as I know, there have been 2 Vaqueros, on marked Ruger Vaquero and one marked Ruger New Vaquero.
As you can see in this thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=670512
The Birdshead Vaquero is on the older larger Ruger Vaquero frame. I have yet to see a Ruger New Vaquero with a factory Birdshead grip frame. I would love to find one, and am looking. I will settle for a Birdshead Vaquero, in stainless and a 4-5/8" barrel. Ruger made some before they contracted with Valo to close out the Birdshead frame with the Sheriff's length barrel.

Whenever I google Ruger Birdshead, I get a few responses for just the birdshead grips themselves. I do not usually follow them, but think that there are a few of them out there still available.

 

[CraigC]

The birdshead grip frame was also available on some fixed sight New Model Single Sixes. Dad has one in .32H&R.

Birdshead New Vaquero.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/Genie/Default.aspx?item=5153

QPR (MK Tech) used to produce a replacement birdshead grip frame for both Old and New Models in blued, stainless and brass. They've been discontinued for a few years now.

Personally, I think the birdshead looks neat but a roundbutted standard grip frame is more comfortable and more controllable.

 

[Lawdawg45]

These faux ivory ones on my vaquero are for sale now.......$60. PM me if you're interested.

LD

 

[BigShep85]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=670512

This is the thread with pictures of my Ruger Birdshead It is not the same as the newer release of birdshead. The frame of the Birdshead I have was larger and discontinued in 2004. Hope that clears up any misunderstandings.

 

[Greg528iT]

I want to put a birdshead in my hands and see if it fits as well as I think it's going to. Unfortunately none of the LGSs have any.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Greg528iT wrote," I have yet to see a Ruger New Vaquero with a factory Birdshead grip frame."

Here is my brand new Ruger New Vaquero Birdshead in 45ACP!
blued, with 3.75" barrel.

 

[Greg528iT]

Here is my brand new Ruger New Vaquero Birdshead in 45ACP!
blued, with 3.75" barrel.

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks great.. I better start looking deeper I guess..

 

[BlkHawk73]

I know Klamath River Woodworking was making them but I don't see their site up and running any more. Hope they didn't close up as they made some fantastic grips. Got a set of beautiful Koa ones for a Bisley.
Check with some of the other "custom" (I hate that term) Ruger grip makers and see if they'd be able to help. 41Magnum & Pvt Shultz (@ Rugerforum.com) and of course CaryC.
Gotta find out myself where to get a nice set made if Klamath River is no longer operating. Have a brass birdshead awaiting fitting and it'll need grips.

As for the whole OM/NM what had birds heads... as above ALL since 1973 have been New Model by design. Transfer bar = New Model. There have been birdshead models made on the original Vaquero and the Single Six as cataloged models. There's also been a bunch of non-cataloged models on these two frames as well as the New Vaquero or as they're marked now, Vaquero. Confusing I know, but basically if it's got a 3 digit prefix, it's a medium frame alá New Vaquero. the Single Sixes have been in both .22 caliber and .32 caliber and in blued/color case finish, and high gloss stainless. Some were made with extra embelishments for TALO as "Last Cowboy" editions.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Here you go BigShep, couldn't get them through on e-mail. As you can see on the picture of the inside of the grips, on the left there is a small chip, but nothing on the outside.

LD

 

[tazbigdog]

Ebay has faux ivory for $44.

 

[CraigC]

Just found another gripmaker that offers them for the birdshead. No firsthand experience but everything I've seen looks good!

http://customgungripsbyswindler.com/

 

[BigShep85]

I have contacted swindler and he does beautiful work for great prices, BUT he requires the grip to be sent to him, for obvious reasons (fitting each to its grip frame for matching perfection) but I spent along time getting this gun and can't part with it right now. Gunsamerica has some white ones, I might go with those for 35 bucks for now.

I think I am going to attempt making my own, already have the cherry wood to try it with.