BradKincaid

Please forgive me, I have spent a good amount of time looking for an answer before posting here, but I think I need specific help. I have used the Gunblast grip frame charts and seached multiple forums, but most of the information I have come up with pertains to New Model Blackhawks. I was hoping one of the resident experts might lend me a hand with my Old Model question.

I bought a 1970 3 screw .357 Old Model Blackhawk. I understand this has the XR3-RED grip frame. If I wanted the smaller, more Colt-like grip frame, would an older XR3 grip frame fit on the gun rather simply? If not, what might my other options be to get the XR3 frame on my Blackhawk? I am also interested in making sure the grip frame is steel, but I need to know the compatibility of frames to my gun first.

44flattop

The XR3 OM grip frame will interchange with your XR3-RED frame. Sometimes the grip frame to cylinder frame fit may not be perfect but usually the fit is just fine.
FT44

EDK

Check out midwayusa or brownells for the power custom grip frames for your gun. They are steel and COLT-type, BUT they ain't cheap.

I don't think that the XR-3 grip was made in steel. The XR3-reds on OLD ARMIES were carbon OR stainless steel and would fit your Old Model, BUT they aren't cheap either and are also hard to find. (I advertised one in stainless steel and sold it immediately...another case of seller's remorse!)

A used grip frame fitting your main frame is a roll of the dice, but I've done a bunch on my VAQUEROS and they fit pretty well. I did "musical grip frames" one rainy afternoon with a handful of guns and grip frames. I had pretty good luck with Old Models also.

Iowegan

EDK, The OM XR3 Supers had steel grip frames as did the Old Armys. All other models had aluminum alloy.

BradKincaid, If you can find an OM XR3 steel frame (very scarce) it should fit your OM BH like 44flattop stated. Good luck ... factory steel OM frames are like gold.

EDK

Interesting. I thought all the OM Supers had DRAGOONS or the super rare long frame. It's a d*** poor day I don't learn something new on one or another of the forums I hang out on.

postalron2000

before you think you have it right, check with Ruger again. Spoke with them today, and the part numbers are changing. I checked the new blackhawk, vaquero and bisley and they all have new numbers for the grip frame.