xr3 vs xr3-red grips

[pardiniman]

I have a Stainless Old Army and it has wood grips.Thinking for gettting a another pair of grips "faux Ivory" for dress-up days
From what I've seen the xr3-red are the ones that will fit--I think??
Which one will fit for sure?
Thanks guys

 

[CraigC]

Correct, XR3-RED.

The XR3 was only installed on the Single Sixes and Blackhawks from 1953-1962. Until it was revised in 2005 for the New Vaquero and New Model flat-tops.

 

[pardiniman]

Thanks Craig
While I was waiting for a reply I did some seaching and found what grip would fit is marked under the grips stamped on the frame.Simple enough ! Popped the grips off and it was stamped KXR-3, This isn't what's suppose to be on there it should be XR3-red. So now I'm confused
I know one of these is the right one but which? The serial # is 145-25XXX if that would help ID the year if there was a change in grips down along the line

 

[CraigC]

I don't keep up with all the things Ruger stamps on their grip frames. The pattern is all that matters and yours is the XR3-RED pattern.

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

 

[Rom828]

"K" is Ruger code for stainless.

 

[Jaymo]

I believe my 1976 stainless ROA grip frame also says KXR3.
It uses the same grip panels as my mid to late 70s Single Six, and my 2011 Blackhawk large frame .45 convertible. XR3-RED.

 

[mykeal]

In 1973 Ruger redesigned the XR3-RED frame to accommodate the new mainspring and transfer bar design on the Blackhawk. This new frame was marked XRN-3RED on the blued steel frames and KXR-3 on the stainless steel frames. Dimensionally it is the same as the old XR3-RED, so it takes the same grip scales. They are not interchangeable, however, because of the revised mainspring design. Thus the Old Army can use grip scales that fit the KXR-3 or XRN-3RED grip frames.

 

[pardiniman]

Thanks Mykeal
I'm confused no longer and feel safe in ordering new grips with have to send them back and start all over. Thanks to all the THR members, their wealth of knowlegde is a valuable resource.

 

[CraigC]

In 1973 Ruger redesigned the XR3-RED frame to accommodate the new mainspring and transfer bar design on the Blackhawk.

The only change was the trigger spring and the width of the trigger. The grip frame has nothing to do with the transfer bar. You can install a NM grip frame on an OM or Old Army with a trigger spring adapter.