3 piece Blackhawk

[sghart3578]

Well,

I learned something today. Actually several things.

One, You should occasionally check the screws in your guns and make sure they are tight.

Two, There is a reason you wear eye protection.

I was firing my Blackhawk yesterday when it decided to break on me. I was shooting my regular 255 gr, 8.5 gr Unique loads. I was left holding the grip while the rest of my gun went past the line into the shooting lane. I was actually alone on the range and I used a broom to retrieve it.



The gun was built in 1995 and the previous owner did warn me that he liked "hot" loads in it.

I suspect that the screws holding the grip frame had worked loose. I have a Marlin 1894 that is notorious for doing the same thing.

From now on I will double check things like that. Even at 61 years of age I still learn new things.

The next new thing to learn is the confusing history of Ruger grip frames and how to replace one.


Steve in N CA

[contender1]

First off,, it's good you weren't hurt.
Next,, it's also good that the part that broke is an easily replaced part.
A 1995 built gun will have a variation of the NXR3-RED grip frame. (You can look on your frame, and it should have this nomenclature molded into it.)
ALL Ruger SA handguns, both NM & OM have the exact same 5 screw hole pattern. I have swapped many, many grip frames around. Even putting a NM g/f under an OM gun by adding a trigger return spring block.

So, look at your g/f, find the markings, and get one like that. It'll be simpler than you think. AND,,, AND,,, just about any NM g/f will screw right on. The one change Ruger made,, about 6-8 years ago, was the recess slots in the main frame, that mate with the small "ears or tabs" on the g/f. If you get a newer g/f it will screw right on,, but just won't have the tabs that sit in the recess of the main frame.

And luckily,, a NM g/f like that isn't too expensive in general. Around the $50 mark.

If you need any further help,, PM me & I'll see what I can offer.

[LIMPINGJ]

Checking screws on a single action is normal routine like cleaning.

[Thumbcocker]

Blue locktite is your friend.

[Drm50]

What are the odds of all five frame screws failing at the same time? The two screws behind trigger guard on Rugers take the most stress because recoil is 90 degrees with them. I have had a SBH since early 60s. I had to check screws all the time. I missed once and sheared head off a frame screw. I ordered new screws from Ruger and while I was at it ordered a double set of all small parts and screws for SBH. They are still in box I put them in 50+ years ago. Never had any problem with that gun since. I did buy a set of frame screws that were nyloc and I still check but they don’t come loose.

[oldsalt444]

+1 on the blue Locktite.

[Bazoo]

That is pretty odd. Glad you weren't hurt.

Did the bullet stick in the bore?

My guess would be all the screws but one fell out previously and the last probably sheared.

Be a good time to switch to a stainless grip frame if you like that look. Ruger might send you a grip frame if you call and explain what happened.

[onelight]

Did the trigger guard stay on the frame when it broke ?
Thanks for posting this I will pay extra attention to keeping all the screws in mine tight.

[9.3X62AL]

I have gotten into the habit of a tension check on all of the exterior screws after each shooting session on all of my war toys. That is how I start or end a cleaning sequence, just out of habit. Most of the time, all is well and snug. Once in a great while, one screw will begin to back out and it gets a re-snug before it goes back in the safe or into usage. I haven't yet had a gun screw back out repeatedly or frequently; such a condition would call for the blue Loctite if it occurred.

[ranchman]

There's a sight you don't see everyday. The screw check is a regular routine with mine though, all mine don't seem to do it but I have a couple that screws back off very fast.

Is that grip frame an aluminum one?

[Walks]

I may have a "new grip frame" Aluminum.

PM me if you are interested.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Yep had the pretty much the same thing happen to my 7.5” 45 Colt New Model Blackhawk.
It was 250 grain boolits about 1300 fps.
The screws held in mine but the grip frame broke in two.
I was surprised how thin the skeletonized aluminum grip frame was where it broke just behind the trigger guard.

I replaced mine with a brass grip frame that I like much better. Took a little fitting but it’s much stronger and has held fine ever since.

You might want to know there’s a guy that makes all kinds of brass grip frames for the Ruger Blackhawk family. I haven’t used his products but I’m tempted to try one. His name is Ronnie Wells. I think you could find him by searching “Ronnie Wells grip frames”.

[DGV]

Send it back to Ruger. Call first for a RMA prepaid Fed-Ex label. They will repair at no charge

[rockrat]

DGV beat me to it. Good advice.

[sghart3578]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your attention and suggestions. It is appreciated.

Steve in N CA

[GSP7]

How'd the cylinder get out?

I guess you removed it

[PHyrbird]

+1 on the blue Locktite.

NOT the blue on small screws Use the purple #222 loctite for our friends. It doesn't strip the tiny threads off the shaft of screws. Plus you don't gotta heat it to get iti to release.

[sghart3578]

How'd the cylinder get out?

I guess you removed it

Yeah, I'm still not used to having a smartphone with a camera always available.

By the time that I had it disassembled I thought that I would take a photo to send to my brother.

The trigger guard was still on the frame, just the handle had broken off.

Thanks,

Steve in N CA

[RJM52]

Second the suggestion to contact Ruger first...they will probably take care of it no-charge...

Bob

[DougGuy]

Send it back to Ruger. Call first for a RMA prepaid Fed-Ex label. They will repair at no charge

They will send the brown truck by with a pre paid label to pick it up on their dime. As noted, call their customer service in Newport, and tell them what happened in the order it happened, they will get you an RMA and they will take care of it on their dime. You will get back a near new gun or you might get a brand new gun.

However, they will NOT send back the rubber grip that's on it now so unless you want to donate it to their trash bin, take it off before you ship it. You can tell them you bought it used and it does not have factory grips on it they won't mind, they will ship it with some factory grips attached.