Need help identifying revolver frames

[nick]

I got two 80% revolver frames, and I need help identifying which revolver they actually belong to, so I can start buying parts for them. Any information or pointers are appreciated.

[nick]

Come on, somebody has to be familiar with single-action dimensionally-compliant politically correct revolvers. I'm just trying to prepare for the next 4 years

[bruceflinch]

80% is all you get. Obama got the other 20%....

[nick]

80% is all you get. Obama got the other 20%....

More like 50-55%, our tax laws being what they are. However, I've already paid all applicable taxes on these

[TKM]

It looks a lot like a Ruger Blackhawk frame, the part without the serial number at that.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=blackhawk+frame+revolver&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bpcl=37643589&biw=1344&bih=770&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=HwSaUIqMNIiriQK-wIHACQ#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=ruger+blackhawk+grip+frame&oq=ruger+blackhawk+grip+frame&gs_l=img.3..0i24l3.33540.51135.0.51918.38.22.2.14.15.0.327.3438.0j19j2j1.22.0...0.0...1c.1.YoT8BxU7Z0Y&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=8e7a61c154d22d75&bpcl=37643589&biw=1344&bih=770

[kendog4570]

Looks Ruger-esque, but the trigger guard doesn't look quite right. Too square. Also looks like a ton of work to complete, for something that can be had new/finished for $100, with no firearm transfer BS.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/grip-frames/grip-frame-round-guard-steel-in-the-white-sku780001126-12014-28698.aspx

[nick]

It looks a lot like a Ruger Blackhawk frame, the part without the serial number at that.


https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...w=1344&bih=770

That it does, but not quite:



What's serialized on a Blackhawk, anyway? Is it typical for old-style single action revolvers to serialize some part other than the frame, or is it just a Ruger thing (similar to how they serialize the barrels on Mk I-III)?

[kendog4570]

What's serialized on a Blackhawk, anyway? ?

The numbered part is called the "Cylinder Frame" by Ruger. Other Mfg's may call their frames something different.

[nick]

The numbered part is called the "Cylinder Frame" by Ruger. Other Mfg's may call their frames something different.

Well, there goes the idea of building an 80% single-action revolver.

[Marcus von W.]

I had an actual, finished, Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk frame (basically,the bare frame and grip frame, but no grips, barrel, cylinder, and all the little internal parts like hammer, sear, hand, etc.) a number of years back that I picked up real cheap at one of Little John's auctions. It was a real nice frame and I was seriously wanting to build it back up into a functioning firearm, but the cost and general unavailability of loose spare parts made it clear pretty quick that this was not a financially sound option, as it would have been cheaper to buy a complete one. I ended up selling it at one of the last Great Western shows.

Like I said, it's been a lot of years and my memory of that frame is kind of faded and vague, but from what I recall, it was way different than your frames.

Unless you are a gunsmith or builder with a lot of expertise in it, I don't think that any bare handgun frame (especially an unknown one, an oddball or uncommon one, and an unfinished one) other than a 1911 or Colt Single Action Army type justifies the time, effort, and cost of trying to put it together or back together into a functioning firearm. I've seen WW2 German made Polish P-35 Radom, German Luger, an various Warsaw Pact Tokarev pistol frames for sale real cheap at various times and was really tempted to get them, but again the cost and scarcity of the parts to do so convinced me that this was not a project I wanted to get involved in.

[nick]

I had an actual, finished, Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk a number of years back that I picked up real cheap at one of Little John's auctions. It was a real nice frame and I was seriously wanting to build it back up into a functioning firearm, but the cost and general unavailability of loose spare parts made it clear pretty quick that this was not a financially sound option, as it would have been cheaper to buy a complete one. I ended up selling it at one of the last Great Western shows.

Like I said, it's been a lot of years and my memory of that frame is kind of faded and vague, but from what I recall, it was way different than your frames.

Unless you are a gunsmith or builder with a lot of expertise in it, I don't think that any bare handgun frame (especially an unknown one, an oddball or uncommon one, and an unfinished one) other than a 1911 or Colt Single Action Army type justifies the time, effort, and cost of trying to put it together or back together into a functioning firearm. I've seen WW2 German made Polish P-35 Radom, German Luger, an various Warsaw Pact Tokarev pistol frames for sale real cheap at various times and was really tempted to get them, but again the cost and scarcity of the parts to do so convinced me that this was not a project I wanted to get involved in.

Well, I come across various oddball parts kits all the time (courtesy of various PDs across the country), and my main problem is usually finding unfinished receivers for them.

As for the time, cost, etc., well, it's a hobby. And I like having guns built by me, and to tinker with them.

[Marcus von W.]

Well, I come across various oddball parts kits all the time (courtesy of various PDs across the country), and my main problem is usually finding unfinished receivers for them.

As for the time, cost, etc., well, it's a hobby. And I like having guns built by me, and to tinker with them.

There used to be a guy at the gunshows here in Southern California (he may still be there for all I know, it's been a while since I've been to one) who always had a bunch of pistol "parts kits" that had everything but the frame - some of them were for fairly scarce and desirable vintage guns. I think these were ones where Police Departments had destroyed the frames and sold the parts. The problem was that he wanted as much or more for the parts than you could buy the whole gun for.

I could be wrong, but I vaguely remember seeing the frames you have listed for sale in the Numrich/Gun Parts catalog years ago. They didn't know what they were for either and had no other parts, and were selling them for folks who like really difficult and unusual projects or for use as handles on things, making climbing spikes for a hunting tree stand, etc. I remember looking at them and trying to figure out some way to make a single shot muzzle loading box-lock pistol out of them (like a really big version of the screw-barrel "muff" pistols that were popular in the mid-1800's), but eventually decided it was beyond my abilities and finances.

They also had some unfinished shotgun or rifle frames like this - things that were for prototypes or guns that someone planned and tooled up to state making, but never actually finished or got into production.

[nick]

There used to be a guy at the gunshows here in Southern California (he may still be there for all I know, it's been a while since I've been to one) who always had a bunch of pistol "parts kits" that had everything but the frame - some of them were for fairly scarce and desirable vintage guns. I think these were ones where Police Departments had destroyed the frames and sold the parts. The problem was that he wanted as much or more for the parts than you could buy the whole gun for.

I could be wrong, but I vaguely remember seeing the frames you have listed for sale in the Numrich/Gun Parts catalog years ago. They didn't know what they were for either and had no other parts, and were selling them for folks who like really difficult and unusual projects or for use as handles on things, making climbing spikes for a hunting tree stand, etc. I remember looking at them and trying to figure out some way to make a single shot muzzle loading box-lock pistol out of them (like a really big version of the screw-barrel "muff" pistols that were popular in the mid-1800's), but eventually decided it was beyond my abilities and finances.

They also had some unfinished shotgun or rifle frames like this - things that were for prototypes or guns that someone planned and tooled up to state making, but never actually finished or got into production.

These days Gunbroker has tons of parts kits, and they're often priced well. There are several sellers who sell the PD-destroyed guns. Most of those are junk (Lorcin, Jennings, etc.), but occasionally they have some good parts kits. For example, I got a SIG P229 complete parts kit sans the frame for about $220, a complete Glock 21 parts kit sans the frame (I only needed the upper, really, to use on my G20) for about $220 as well, and so forth. I usually just buy the parts kits for something I want to finish and have a realistic shot at finding unfinished receivers for in the future. You see guys trying to fill the niche for 80% receivers/frames all the time, and every now and then one of them comes up with the receiver that hasn't been available before. Then there are cut receivers that can be re-welded.

Personally, I'm hoping for unfinished metal Glock frames, unfinished Beretta 92FS and revolver (S&W 586 or 686, for instance) frames, and some unfinished shotgun/bolt action rifle receivers. If I find restorable cut receivers, I'll take them too.

Building guns can be frustrating as hell (especially looking for parts), but it's a lot of fun