Converting Ruger Birdshead to Plow Handle

[Sherman A. House DDS]

Anyone have any experience doing this? I have a Ruger Carryhawk (Super Blackhawk) that I’d like to ditch the bird’s head grip frame on and switch to a plow handle (“square butt”) type grip frame.

I’ve heard rumors Ruger will do it, and I’ve heard others say that custom shops are a better option. Please advise.


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[Joe in PNG]

I thought that with Rugers, it would be possible to just order a new grip frame to replace the one you have.

[Totem Polar]

fatdog

[willie]

Joe's correct. Call Ruger to see what they have in stock.

[Hambo]

Brownells has them.

[fatdog]

Unlike a lot of the various SAA clones, I have always found the Ruger grip frames interchange and go right on with no real significant fitting necessary (but I am not a cosmetic perfectionist). Just did it for my new Carryhawk and ordered the grip frame from brownells (stainless).

Ruger will certainly do it at the factory last time I asked.

For the carryhawk for do it yourself, you have to accept a two tone color. The ones Brownells sells are unfinished stainless. I think a duracoat/cerracoat artist could get you pretty close if you want it all to match. There are some tool marks in the Brownells version that could be polished out if you care about that, but nothing really rough.

I would post a picture but a close friend from the CAS community saw mine last weekend and begged to borrow it and shoot it for a couple of weeks, I think he is now obsessed with the carryhawk but he ain't keepin mine.

I currently know no particular gunsmiths I trust on the ruger SAA tribe. Rugers are probably the simplest of the SA revolvers out there to manage at an armorer level (parts swapping) without the assistance of a gunsmith, I have found changing parts and springs to be consistently easy. Lots of videos out there.

All to say any competent gunsmith who works on revolvers could take the generic frame brownells sells and really polish/fit or even coat it to do the conversion without being any sort of Ruger specialist. Just not that hard.

Converting to the Ruger Bisley grip would get you into about 4 more parts including trigger and hammer I think, because it is a different geometry but all the parts on the birdshead models are compatible with the standard plowhandle versions.

There are some Ruger SA specialist gunsmiths serving the CAS shooting but the 2-3 guns I have seen come back from those guys were examples of action/trigger jobs for gamer purposes that I don't think were worth the money those cowboys paid, one was a $600+ project on a Vaquero that essentially made it feel just like my out of the box Uberti smokewagon which itself did not cost $600:confused:

[OlongJohnson]

Before you do something rashly boring like buy stock parts, live a little.

CNC custom grip frames for hands of all shapes and sizes, in aluminum or brass. Options specifically to fit the hands of modern, full-size humans the size of you and me.

https://rwgripframes-com.3dcartstores.com/GRIP-FRAMES_c_7.html


Discussion thread with 48 pages of Ruger SA pr0n:

https://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/26528/brass-grip-frames-ronnie-wells

Lots of descriptions there about how to fit them, as well as smiths who are doing really nice work on the conversions.

Overview by Fermin Garza here: https://gunblast.com/Fermin-RonnieWells.htm

[Jim Watson]

One could spend a lot of money trying different styles to get just the right feel. But I would like to handle a real Keith No 5 profile.

[Irelander]

This thread is likely to cost me money. I'd like a Bisley grip on my SBH. Their modified designs sound great!

[Tennessee Jed]

That "KBird" grip frame on the RW Grips site is mighty interesting. A combination of a round butt with a Bisley, for a 3 finger grip.

[RevolverRob]

Before you do something rashly boring like buy stock parts, live a little.

CNC custom grip frames for hands of all shapes and sizes, in aluminum or brass. Options specifically to fit the hands of modern, full-size humans the size of you and me.

https://rwgripframes-com.3dcartstores.com/GRIP-FRAMES_c_7.html


Discussion thread with 48 pages of Ruger SA pr0n:

https://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/26528/brass-grip-frames-ronnie-wells

Lots of descriptions there about how to fit them, as well as smiths who are doing really nice work on the conversions.

Overview by Fermin Garza here: https://gunblast.com/Fermin-RonnieWells.htm

I do not need a Carryhawk with a #5 grip.

I do not need a Carryhawk with a #5 grip.

I DO NOT NEED A CARRYHAWK WITH A #5 GRIP.

(Keep repeating it Rob, you got this).

[MandoWookie]

I do not need a Carryhawk with a #5 grip.

I do not need a Carryhawk with a #5 grip.

I DO NOT NEED A CARRYHAWK WITH A #5 GRIP.

(Keep repeating it Rob, you got this).

Somebody needs a Carryhawk with #5 grip, it might as well be you.
(Enabling only because I could never get myself to do it myself.)

[Poconnor]

This is a timely thread. I just bought a ruger 45 colt convertible bisley with the 3.75 inch barrel. I have a ruger Blackhawk 44 mag with the 5 1/2 barrel. My original plan was to them both to John Gallagher to have the grip frames swapped. I think I might try to do it myself.

[Jim Watson]

Unfortunately, John Gallagher passed away last year.
His son is keeping the shop open but most of his work is on bolt action rifles... which was John's bread and butter anyhow.
So ask first about revolver work.

Or DIY. If it looks like you are getting in over your head, you can consult a gunsmith as long as you haven't filed off something expensive.

[Malamute]

Anyone have any experience doing this? I have a Ruger Carryhawk (Super Blackhawk) that I’d like to ditch the bird’s head grip frame on and switch to a plow handle (“square butt”) type grip frame.

I’ve heard rumors Ruger will do it, and I’ve heard others say that custom shops are a better option. Please advise.


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Its been gone over some already, but swapping grip frames on Rugers isnt difficult, though the fit at the mating edges on the sides and rear sometimes arent perfect. Ive swapped several, and none fit perfect, nor did it bother me. Its mainly being able to feel it more than see it. If you take it apart, keep in mind the longer trigger guard screw goes on whatever side the groove in the hammer pin is on, its what keeps it in place. I think it works on either side, but the groove and longer tipped screw have to be on the same side.

You can probably find a used grip frame online, or find someone that wants to swap for your birdshead. they seem popular, though they never felt quite right to me. The standard size SA grips fit me well, or at least feels best to me, despite being slightly short, but I can live with that.

Ive had 5 or 6 of the Bisleys, and tried to like them, but they never felt right to me. The Super grip frames with square back guard take recoil better than the standard grip frame but arent as comfortable to me for general shooting and the square back guard pinches my trigger finger when the gun recoils shooting it one handed, so I just use the standards and accept them as is.