Pic request

D

Drummer101

New member
Could someone post a pic with their hand around the grip of a Ruger Super Blackhawk 4 5/8inch?

Held a new Vaquero this morning and it felt very nice but I tried a Freedom Arms model 83 and I did not like that grip at all.(granted I was unable to fire them and the Freedom Arms had an amazing trigger that made the Ruger cry).
 
Actually found out it is XRN-3RED or KXR3 depending upon if it is blued or stainless and the same grips are on the 4 5/8 and 5.5 inch models.

Anyone able to snap a quick picture?
 
There is a semi-rare variant if you want a 44Mag. The 50th Anniversary 44Mag Blackhawk made in 2006, NOT marked "Super", has a 6.5" barrel and the exact same grip frame and grips as the New Vaquero. It's the only factory 44Mag Ruger ever set up that way.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/96507799...khawk-Type/50th_aniversery_flat_top_44mag.htm - click to make the pic viewable - $500 for this gun is reasonable as it appears to be cherry.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_Flattop44.htm - complete review.

It only came with a 6.5" barrel in blue. A fair number were made, so...you CAN find 'em.

It's a very interesting piece in a lot of ways. It was the first large-frame Ruger SA to get the new improved cylinder making process as was started on the mid-frames (New Vaquero and the like) in 2004. It is the only large-frame with a side-warning barrel that has the new process - in all the others, an under-barrel warning billboard tells you it has the new type cylinder.

Accuracy is excellent on these. Strength is identical to a SuperBlackhawk - it's a true "large frame".

Sights are compatible with the mid-frame "Flattops", such as the 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk or any of the 44spl Blackhawks. To my knowledge it's the only large-frame "flattop" Ruger made recently. It even has the "index click" system from the mid-frames, where the shells line up properly with the loading gate on each click.

WARNING: you will want SMOOTH wood grips for this if shooting real 44Mags! The factory plastic "cheesegraters" will rip you up. Altamont Grips has very good wood grips for about $30 - order the ones for the New Vaquero.

You can also, if you want, swap to a lower-slung hammer such as the SuperBlackhawk type (mostly a drop-in) or the lower-yet Bisley (slightly harder to fit but still an "amateur-grade job"). I've seen pics of these with the barrel chopped even with the ejector rod housing (4.68") and they look great that way.

Supers with the 4.68" and 5.5" barrels have the XR3-RED grip frame which is slightly larger than the XR3 "New Vaquero" type grip frame - which is really near-equal to the Colt SAA grip frame (2nd gen forward).
 
Plus one on Jim's suggestion ie. the 50th Anniversary Model .44 Magnum Flat Top...mine is every bit as accurate as the one in Gunblast's review. The only reason I don't carry it more here on the farm is it's length. I'm addicted to those 4-5/8" barrels for their convenience. The longer 6-1/2 makes for a good range gun or hunting companion where the slightly improved velocity and longer sight radius make it worthwhile.

My only criticism, applicable to all the Flat Top Rugers, is that they come with those abominable cheese grater grips. I've made my own to replace all of the factory issue grips on mine. I do like the smaller grip size, but in reality it's not that much smaller even when you try them side by side, and the all steel frame pulls the balance point back closer to my supporting middle finger...they shoot a mite better for me that way.

Best Regards, Rod
 
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The prices on the 50th 44 are reasonable enough that a grip panel swap (esp. basic $30 Altamonts) and even a barrel chop job won't break the bank too bad.

The factory plastic checkered grips are tragic for sure :).
 
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