What wood grips for an "L" (lock) model Ruger Single Six?

[P. Plainsman]

Hi THR -- it's been a while!

I'm getting the bug for a Ruger Single Six. I know I want a blued model for the lighter weight of the aluminum frame. I like the fit and finish of the current, "L" model blued SSs -- the ones with the internal lock -- so I am thinking about buying new. But I have a specific question about them, which a search of the forum did not illuminate:

The issue, black plastic grips on the "L" model blued Single Sixes are kind of meh. I would want to replace them immediately with some purty wood grip panels.

Can existing, aftermarket wood grips marketed as designed for the New Model Single Sixes/Blackhawks (XR3-RED frame) be installed successfully on a current, "L" model Single Six?

I asked Ruger this question and they told me no. But some things about the conversation made me wonder if they were being quite on the level with me. Existing "Single Six/Blackhawk" wood grips would have the right frame size, but would not have a hole that lined up with the new internal lock. So if you installed them, you could not use the internal lock unless you removed the revolver's grip panels. I don't care about this at all; I have no use for the lock. But maybe the lawyers have made Ruger customer service reluctant to acknowledge the truth that you could use existing aftermarket Single Six grips on the "L" models, because installing them would be (in their minds ) tantamount to disabling the lock?

Or was Ruger telling the whole truth, i.e., existing XR3-RED aftermarket wood grips marketed for "Single Six" really WON'T fit properly on a current, "L"-model Single Six?

Thanks!

 

[dennis228]

It worked for me. In 2010 bought a new Ruger Single Six blued 4 5/8 (L series) with lock and it came with the new black plastic grips. I prefer the wood Ruger rosewood grips for a blued Single Six so I ordered a pair from Ruger's store and they fit fine. I also tried out switching the standard Ruger wood grips off my older stainless 5.5 Single Six (no lock) and that switch also worked perfectly. So from my experience they can interchange. I think the issue is that with the new L series guns, the grips come with a pre-set point where you can drill a hole to access the lock without taking off the grips. The older gun grips do not have that feature so I'm thinking maybe its a legal issue, so that perhaps Ruger may not want to discourage use of the lock/hole feature by promoting use of the standard wood grips?

 

[P. Plainsman]

Thanks for the feedback! Very helpful.

I'm thinking maybe its a legal issue, so that perhaps Ruger may not want to discourage use of the lock/hole feature by promoting use of the standard wood grips?

That's my guess too.

 

[SGW42]

dennis' experience mirrors mine. I bought a 9.5 inch barreled, blued model with the plastic grips, then ordered the rosewood grips from their store (IIRC they offered 15% off for registering you new gun at the time). This in 2008. Fit just fine.

I would make sure the retailer says they fit the lock models before ordering, I don't know all the details of Ruger single action grip frames. But I am pretty sure Hogue makes most of Ruger's fancy optional wood grips. So there is that.

 

[CraigC]

Yes, anything made for the XR3-RED pattern will fit. Which is to say 1962-present Blackhawks, Single Sixes and large frame Vaqueros. There's an issue with the new steel XR3 with the lock, because the lock is wider than the grip frame but that doesn't affect your gun. There is no legal issue. Ruger is just stupid about their own products. The issue is with the XR3 and is strictly due to clearance. Grips for the new steel XR3's need a pocket milled for clearance.

Altamont provides Ruger's wood grips, now that Lett's is out of business. Not Hogue.

 

[critter]

Just a note. I just bought a NEW Ruger super single six stainless .22/.22mag about 2 weeks ago. It was ordered by my dealer directly from the distributor. It DID NOT come with the inside the grip safety lock thingey.

 

[CraigC]

The stainless models don't have the lock yet. Except the new .44Spl flat-tops and New Vaqueros.