RBH Aluminum grip frame

[kount_zer0]

I have the 45 Colt, and I think the grip frame is aluminum on this model. There was an interesting thread on another forum in which a user's grip frame BROKE after only a few hundred rounds of "Ruger Only" loads in 45 Colt

The poster stated that he was surprised that this was not an isolated incident, that the 44mag comes with a steel grip frame for this reason.

Has anybody else heard anything like this?

 

[Gator]

I saw that post and it was the only time I have heard of a Ruger grip frame breaking. The aluminum grip frames are plenty strong, the poster must have got one with a flaw in the casting. I doubt strength is why Ruger put a steel grip frame on the Super Blackhawks. I think the reason was to add weight since there were many complaints about the harsh recoil of the old flat-top .44 mags.

 

[461]

The grip frame is really subject to hardly any recoil force and it is extremely rare for one to break. I've had over a dozen of them and have never had any issue whatsoever with them and there have been thousands of them made, also with no issue.

I've known more than a few folks that have put the aluminum frame on the .44's to reduce carrying weight with no issues at all.

I really think it's a non issue and if you get one that somehow does fail then Ruger will fix it without any questions.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I remember the post about the Ruger grip frame breaking. It fell or was dropped on a hard floor and cracked off a piece. It was not damaged from mere shooting, which would be inconceivable. The Super Blackhawk has a steel grip frame to add weight, therefore reduce recoil. This is just my speculation, but the Super (at least the "old model") has more polished bluing and it is easier to precisely match the color if all the parts are steel.

There are aftermarket steel grip frames for the Blackhawk if you like.