Ruger old model black hawk and new model black hawk

[sandy4570]

1.Does the grip panel on new model and Vaquero fit in the old model Black hawk? 2.What is the benefit of the new model modification other than the ability to carry all 6 rounds in the chamber? I have heard that the old model came back from the modification with terrible trigger.

 

[Jim March]

In 1962/63 time frame, Ruger switched from the XR3 grip frame to the XR3-RED. The later one is larger, the earlier is a very close copy of the Colt SAA grip frame. The XR3-RED uses the same grip panels across old and new models; the grip frames are internally different to match the lockwork change.

With the safety addition to an Old Model, the trigger is now doing something else (sliding the safety off) in addition to the usual, so there's a reduction in trigger feel. It's usually not all THAT bad and personally, if I had an Old Model I'd run the safety unless the gun was a pure CAS/SASS game piece.

 

[sandy4570]

Jim Thank for the information but how can I know if my grip frame is xr-3 or XR-3 red ? What is the serial number range between the XR-3 and XR-3 red frame ?

 

[Jim March]

Well...yes, you can try and look it up. BUT there are reports that later frames sometimes as late as 1964 or God knows when got built with old XR3 grip frames . And you might be dealing with somebody's swap project .

If you want to try and pin it down with SN records, go post a query at the www.rugerforum.com revolver area - list your SN, turning the last two digits into "xx".

But if it was ME, I'd pull the grips, take the gun down to any gunsmith or local dealer, and try putting some actual aftermarket XR3-RED grip panels on your frame. They'll either fit or not .

Or find a buddy with a New Model Blackhawk, Vaquero, 22Cal Single Six or SuperBlackhawk with a 4.68" or 5.5" barrel. (Bigger SBHs and some of the 32Mags are different.) Swap grip panels around. You'll know real quick.

 

[birdman]

On my old model .357 Blackhawk, it says XR3-Red on the grip frame underneath the grips.

 

[sandy4570]

I find the Xr-3 red stamped on the grip frame last night when I took the grip panel off . Thank you for the information.