OT Do current-production Blackhawks...

[Otto]

...have those stupid infernal locks? If so, how difficult is it to fit older grip panels?

[J Miller]

...have those stupid infernal locks? If so, how difficult is it to fit older grip panels?

Short answer = yes.
Long answer = some of them.

The blued Blackhawks and Super Single-Sixes have the idiotic key lock. The stainless ones don't. The Bisley ones don't.

The grip frame on the Blackhawks is still 1/2" wide. The locks are narrower so they do not interfere with the fitting of the grips.

Only the 50th Anniversary Flattops and the New Vaqueros have the narrower grip frame and the interference fit with the locks.

Joe

[Pete44ru]

I'm just finishing up, making a set of grips for my New Vaquero - to replace the black HR (plastic) issue grips.

I removed the grip locator pin from the gripframe, and scribed the lock position on the inside of each grip panel, through the gripframe while holding the grip blank in place, also outlining the gripshape.

A few minutes work, with the wood bit in my Dremel tool, inside the scribe marks for the lock - and I carved out a 1/8" deep X 1" X 3/4" recess in each panel's back for the lock - which shall remain forever hidden & unused.

If I was re-using older panels, I'd also drill new locator pin holes in each grip panel, while the pin was out of the frame - using the frame hole as a drill guide with the grip panel seated.

I'll do some pics, after the Tru-Oil dries.

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[Pete44ru]

Here's what the lock inletting looks like:



and here's the new grips:





I'm debating whether or not to add medallions like these:



or these: (or Ruger medallions)



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[O.S.O.K.]

Very nice - I like em sans medalions.

Are those XR-RED grips? The black ones = do they fit the old vaquero? If so, I'd be interested in purchasing those if they're for sale.

[Pete44ru]

Thanks for the offer, but the New Vaquero (as are the 50th Anniversary .357's) has an XR3 gripframe ILO the later XR3-RED.

Here's a few better pics of the grip I just finished making:









I'm one of those, who don't care for the wood to stand proud of the frame, so have work it just about flush.
I'm not sure what kind of wood it is, except I believe it's either one of the Ebonies (Gaboon or Madagasgar) or some sort of dark Rosewood.

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[dkmlever]

Nice grips, looks good without the medallions

[Otto]

Pete,

Where did you get those medallions? I might be interested in something like that.

[Pete44ru]

Heck, Otto - I'll GIVE you a set ! I bought a hobby pack for a couple of bucks, with 4 of each pattern, at the local outlet of a National chain craft store - Michael's.

Just look closer at the pic to decide which pattern you want, and PM or mail me your snailmail addy.

I'm leaning more towards either "no medallions", or brass .45 Colt caseheads.

BTW - The best way to install most medallions (Ruger/.45 caseheads/these medallions) - with zero probs or tear-out - is by using a 1/2" Forsner (sp ?) bit from Home Cheapo or somesuch hardware outlet.
I run the bit into the grip, after final finishing the grip(s), only to the thickness of the medallion chosen, and glue the medallions in.

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