Ruger Bisley Grip Fit

[Djones]

Howdy friends,

I traded into this used Ruger blackhawk Bisley in 45 colt. It shoots great and even better since I sent the cylinder to Dougguy.

The problem I have is the grip fit. There is a gap between the frame and the grip.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/4F7876DB-FFDC-4A79-8A52-D4C84CDA150C.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/4F7876DB-FFDC-4A79-8A52-D4C84CDA150C.jpg.html)

Could I mill a new hole in the grip where the roll pin locates the grip?

Do do you guys have any tricks to fit these grip panels better?

David

[Char-Gar]

If the grip otherwise fits the grip frame OK, if you move it forward to plug the gap, it will look bad other places. If the grip is too small it is too small. The fix is to replace it.

[JesterGrin_1]

Call Ruger and tell them your problem and they will send you out another pair of grips to try.

[DougGuy]

Yeah call them, tell them you can email them a photo, yada yada... Let them send you another pair of grips.

If you have to "move" the grip panel on the frame, knock the pin out, fill in the hole in the grip with superglue and use the accelerator on it so it hardens off immediately, locate the panel on the grip frame, clamp it tightly to the grip frame and drill through the roll pin hole to re-locate the hole in the grip panel. Put masking tape on the drill bit for a depth guide so you don't accidentally drill through the grip panel. Simply do the same for the other side. Knock the roll pin back in the hole in the grip frame and install the grips.

This is how I do it. If you want to send the grip frame and the grips, I would be glad to align them as good as they will allow, and re-locate the hole so they fit better. Send me a PM if you choose to send it out.

[Djones]

You guys are great. I will call Ruger in the morning and when I get back on my feet I will try doug's method. Thank you Doug for the offer! but I think I should be able to handle following your method.

Thanks guys.

I will post some before and after pics

[Djones]

Called Ruger at 8. Just got a tracking number for a new set of grips. What customer service! I hope they fit better than the pair that came on them.

[Freeandcold]

If you could kindly post back with results when the new grips come in... I have the EXACT same fit issue and have just not gotten around to addressing it yet!
THANK YOU.

[Djones]

If you could kindly post back with results when the new grips come in... I have the EXACT same fit issue and have just not gotten around to addressing it yet!
THANK YOU.

No problem. The tracking number shows the replacement grips will be here Monday. I will probably try Dougguy's method this weekend to see if I can improve the fit of the current panels.

I will take some progress pics.

David

[Whiterabbit]

It's a trick of adjusting something that was not supposed to be adjustable. Another trick is to look at the panel fit to the grip frame when you "realign" the grip panel. It might not fit perfectly into the cavity of the grip frame. That's when you steal some of your wife's lipstick as an inlet-black substitute (yes honey...that's why I have lipstick in the garage...no really honey....) and break out the sandpaper. Wrapped around a finger for the curve, laid flat on a surface or block for the two flats.

Then when you drill the new pin hole the grip panel fit won't just be "as good as it can get", it will be perfect.

--------------

The real secret is to buy the Ruger Shop Manual Vol 1 &2. Best 30 bucks you will ever spend on a Ruger.

[Djones]

I figured since I have some new panels coming, I would go ahead and try to fit the poor fitting ones myself. Well I had a couple problems that caused the bad fit.

A big burr on the grip frame.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/DF05A3E6-4DAE-4C10-B96E-7C069BFA1B74.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/DF05A3E6-4DAE-4C10-B96E-7C069BFA1B74.jpg.html)

I took a stone to the burr which helped some.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/F7E7CAF7-D48C-43DD-A86F-0CD6B31A2781.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/F7E7CAF7-D48C-43DD-A86F-0CD6B31A2781.jpg.html)

The grip panel had some interference that was also causing some poor fit. I took some 80 grit to the high spots.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/BDD6F4B0-30F5-43E4-85DE-20D1A458E73F.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/BDD6F4B0-30F5-43E4-85DE-20D1A458E73F.jpg.html)

Now the fit is much better.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/E08AD73A-0FAE-4DE3-8471-8F79F378F50A.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/E08AD73A-0FAE-4DE3-8471-8F79F378F50A.jpg.html)

I am waiting for the epoxy to cure that I used to fill the old roll pin locating holes. I will post some final pics once I get the project complete.

[JesterGrin_1]

Good Job :).

[Djones]

Well, I couldn't be happier with the results.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/CE17842D-0562-4364-A29B-27C2FC18CBE7.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/CE17842D-0562-4364-A29B-27C2FC18CBE7.jpg.html)

[Dale53]

Djones;
You can give yourself a serious pat on the back for a job well done! Much, much better!

That's what you call "Takin' a lemon and making lemonade out of it"!:D

Dale53

[DougGuy]

^^^^ What HE said! You did a hell of a nice job on those! From the start, you figured out what needed tweaking and adjusting FIRST, and did that, THEN fitted the grip to the backstrap.

Now pull one leg of that trigger return spring off the pin and let er hang!

[dragonrider]

What Dale said for sure. Don't you love iove it when a plan comes to fruition.

[white eagle]

love my Bisley flat top in 44 special
you are going to like yours as well
good score on the handgun and good job on the panels

[hpdrifter]

So, you gonna return the new grips Ruger sent ya?:wink:

[Djones]

So, you gonna return the new grips Ruger sent ya?:wink:

i am going to see how they fit. If they will go on un-altered I will keep them.

[Djones]

love my Bisley flat top in 44 special
you are going to like yours as well
good score on the handgun and good job on the panels

i have been searching for a 44 special Bisley flattop for a few months. I hope to run across one in a year or so.

[High Desert Hunter]

http://www.cylindersmith.com/triggerspring.html

While it didn't eliminate the creep in my trigger, it sure helped a bunch, easier to shoot until I can get the work done that I want.

[Char-Gar]

Very, very good. That is the way it is done.

[doc1876]

I had to send mine back the cylinder gate caused a lock up of the action. Sent a note for them to fix the trigger creap while they had it....All better, and very Happy with it.