Cosmo, I'd like to be positive, but I think these white grips with random scratches look terrible. I believe there are far better options available. Just my opinion.

 

No worries. Probably are. I own most of them myself. But an honest response. Nothing insulting about that. Personally, I'd rather have something durable than pretty. Resin S comes to mind on the pretty but not durable side. I own a few of them as well. I surely wouldn't add "polygrip" to a Colt. A Uberti or a Pietta? Well, Pietta gives them to you for free

And no one says you have to scratch them up. I'm not a huge fan of laser engraving either. But all three of my Pietta are indeed laser engraved. Had one sitting at my desk now for a few months. Still admire it for what it is. A clone of a Colt and most parts can be interchanged just not the grips. So I'd guess that is a decision no one has to make, thankfully. There is a saddle for every butt. Feel free to pick what fits yours.

I get just as much enjoyment out of the Pietta and the polygrip as I do these old Colts. Just in different ways. As my buddy Jose says, "Even the fat girls need a little love'un" 🤣

White a baby's butt out of the box. Not much to like past fit and how tough the material is. But I can work with that

 

Made some grips with dyed white laminated .5mm thick veneers. The Marine one was made around 1980 with a light coat of Tru-oil and the Ruger was made a few years ago.
Still not finished when pic was taken.
The Marine one was Birdseye maple and the Ruger might be made from Sycamore or Anigre wood.

The 460 Smith grips are from the Birdseye, that was laying around since the late '70s, and laminated recently. The veneers darkened sitting on the shelf. Each layer is offset 90 degrees to hopefully keep the backstrap from fracturing, as solid woods seem to do on that Blaster.
I bed all my revolver grips.
So far no fractures.
This set is made for wearing gloves so it doesn't cramp the hand during extended range practice and when in the woods.
Will finish them up a bit nicer soon and right now they have just a few coats of Ren Wax.
Will machine some proper escutcheons at some point.

They OEM rubbers didn't fit my hand so I made grips that allow for a higher hand hold, less rotation, and can cock the hammer without shifting my hand.
Will take some better pics with a light box when the X frame grips are completed.

Have some Tuilpier which is whiter and will make some for the Mrs 1860 2nd gen Army and the 460s.
Bought new in '80 and still unfired.
Plan to let the grandkids fire it in Leadville, where my Dad trained with the 10th Mountain in '41, when the whole family gets together.

My BIL asked if I cock a hammer with my finger on the trigger. At least he was paying attention.
Not bad for a Coast Guard kid. lol

Would be nice to have a Python Grande in 460 but might buy one in 357 with an 8" barrel, as our boy would like one.
He carries a 629/4" West of Denver or a 10mm Glock as necessary.

 

Imitation ivory? Each to his own, but I can't see putting imitation anything on an expensive historic style gun like a Colt SAA.

 

Well, we can't all be blessed to have a drawer full of ivory or pearl to sift through.

 

we can't all be blessed to have a drawer full of ivory or pearl to sift through.

Ok, knowing what I know. That made me chuckle

You didn't ask, but my preference these days? Giraffe bone.
Stabilized giraffe feels every bit as good as ivory in hand. And it is a good bit tougher.
White ivory gets boring. Bark ivory or age checked ivory isn't nearly as strong as clean ivory.

Old, aged, ivory is something to behold if you live long enough to see it. Old pearl is as well.

 

$70 for a block of resin "ivory", three days of work to fit and sand.....epoxied to the backstrap with a LOT of car wax. went to pop them apart and they cracked full length on both sides.
never again. much to delicate....I've worked with stag, real ivory, fancy walnut, etc. never had a problem, but this stuff is too delicate. $70 out the window.
ordered a set of pearl grips , I'll only have to final fit to my Uberti El Patron 9mm. nice gun by the way. Ken

 

never again. much to delicate....I've worked with stag, real ivory, fancy walnut, etc. never had a problem, but this stuff is too delicate.

Lots of folks seem to love it. But I am with you, literally, "never again".

 

That's my deal too. I know fellas here have used it and enjoyed it and made some nice grips for their stuff. For me, I couldn't take a set of scales through the rendering process at my normal production pace - saw em, plane em, saw em a little closer, spindle sander, light sanding fixture, drill press, putting in a screw set, light polish - without oopsying them and screwing up the job. There's something that could happen at every step that I just dont have to worry about with antler. They saw on the bandsaw with a sloppy kerf (imho). Putting in screw sets for 2 piece, there's a great chance you bust your finished panels in half at the screw hole tapping your escutcheons in. Never mind dropping them on my concrete floor and chipping a corner, which I also did a bunch of times. I wish they were a bit better, the color is very nice.

I'm a very big fan of good micarta.

 

Hamilton uses Ron Powers #5 grip frames on his builds now that they are available.