birdshead grips

[flint1]

Hello all,

I am new to this sport and decided to go with the RV for my first pistols.  Gotta keep the cost reasonable because the wife is also interested in this sport.  However we do not like the feel of the RV unless they have the birds head grips.  What a difference they make in the balance and feel of the gun.  Can you just change the grips on the gun or is the frame specificly designed for them?  I am reasonably sure you can just change them out, but having someone a little more knowledgeable answer here will make me feel much better about purchasing an RV.

[Camille Eonich]

You have to change the grip frame to change from the birdsheads to a plow handle or Bisley.

I have a pair of bridsheads in .45.

[Danny Bear Claw]

I also own a Birdshead Ruger Vaquero 45.  Unless you want the longer barrels why not just try to find a pair of Birdshead Vaqs?  I'm pretty sure the Birdshead Vaqueros were only available with the 3.75 inch barrels.  If you want longer barreled Vaqueros with the Birdshead grip frames then, like Ms.Eonich says, you'll have change the grip frames on other longer barreled Vaqueros to get what you want.  Good shooting.  

[Camille Eonich]

No the birdsheads came with longer barrels too, mine are 4 5/8s.  I believe that they are making them again on the new model vaquero too.

[Danny Bear Claw]

Longer barreled Birds Head Vaqueros?  Wow, I didn't know that.  However, since becoming a member of the Ruger Collectors Association I'm finding out that Ruger does do a lot of model variations that they keep on the QT, and many times produce them in relatively small numbers.  It seems like they are trying to build this hugh collector market.  It seems the Birds Head models themselves, ( at least the old model Vaqs in stainless steel), were not produced in very large numbers.  I don't own any of the new model Vaqs but I am certainly keeping my eyes open for unusual variations of any Ruger revolvers now.  

[Camille Eonich]

The ones that I bought are two of 500 but they are .45s too.

[Danny Bear Claw]

Mz. Camille...  just curious, are those "2 of 500" consecutively serial numbered?  I saw my first Birds Head Vaquero at Cabellas several years ago.  It was when they first came out.  Actually my wife, Maggie Three Feathers saw it and came and got me saying, "You've got to see this little 45 they have".  It was the blue/cc version with the 3.75 inch barrel.  After handling it I knew I just had to have one.  When I finally bought one about a year later I went with the stainless steel version in caliber 45 since all my Vaqs are 45s.  Went with the 3.75 inch barrel because I liked feel of it as far as balance and pointabilitly.  It's the only short barreled revolver I own that I shoot fairly well. 

[Caprock Louis]

Had my Birdhead 357 for sometime with 4 5/8" for sometime.  But faux ivory on it and really enjoy it.  had earlier bought wife pair of 32HR single six birdhead and wanted one for myself.  Very pleased.  Also use it for concealed quite a bit. 
Wear western with vest and shoulder holster if you wonder how conceal

Caprock Louis
lost in Texas

[Camille Eonich]

Mz. Camille...  just curious, are those "2 of 500" consecutively serial numbered? 

There is one number between the two serial numbers. 

[Danny Bear Claw]

That's close...  have you tried to locate the number in between? 

[Camille Eonich]

Oh no, I don't have that kind of tenacity.