[safestuffer]

Yowza... who's grip frame did you use on your #5 ^

Thats a photo off of Bowens home page.

 

[inspcalahan]

I'm another huge fan recently of the Giraffe bone. Our forum friend Richard C made these for me a while back from slabs I sent him.

 

[inspcalahan]

Or Dall sheep horn.

Edit. None of these are mine. Credit goes to Bowens Customs.

Love the Dall Sheep horn - really want a set for a SAA! I've got a set of Grashorn Dall Sheep S&W N frame grips I'd happily trade for a SAA set if some ever came along.

 

[Cozmo]

Richard does outstanding work. I have a pair of those on a gray, 1904, FSS. Thanks for the encouragement, buddy

 

[AJTONY]

I live in CA.

 

[Ruster]

I found these in a box of extra grips at my home. They are Tyler Tru-Fit Grips, made with ivory micarta. Unlike most micarta grips, these show a pattern that in may respects is similar to real ivory. I'm not sure what they cost. I've never used them.

 

[sixguns]

I've seen those Tyler Tru-Fit before and I like them every time...your pair is no exception! I have never seen them in person but would like to. For just the right SAA, they seem like they'd be just the ticket.

 

[Cozmo]

Thought this thread worth a bump. But sadly, however, not specific to Colt. If you do some slumming, like I do, with Pietta and Uberti and like a white grip, the Pietta, poly, one-piece, grips will fit either gun with few issues. I really like the shape and size of the grip as it comes because there is enough material to make it even better. Last couple of nickel Piettas I have bought came with this grip. A few minutes work, no respirator or glasses required, and you can have a fine SA grip in "basic white". The material doesn't seem brittle and it a true, one-piece grip configuration, that is molded as such. Retail is a $100. from VTI when they have them. I make my own grips typically. Dirty work no matter the material, that likely isn't very healthy without excellent ventilation and a good mask. If you have a Uberti or Pietta these are a quick fix, and for me, a wonderful "beater" grip on guns I use a good bit that often as not get knocked around some.

Same white poly below. I just scratched them up some with sandpaper and then add a bit of "color" to them . Fake age cracks and a less slick surface as the result. They are still just some sort of plastic. But so were John Wayne's They are working out very well for me. Just thought the idea might help the next guy out.

 

[Ruster]

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.

 

[Cozmo]

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

 

[RogueWave49]

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.

 

[johnh]

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

 

[inspcalahan]

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.

 

[johnh]

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

There are other fine alternatives. Stag, giraffe bone, horn, custom wood, etc. Many fine examples of these have been shown on this forum.

 

[inspcalahan]

There are other fine alternatives. Stag, giraffe bone, horn, custom wood, etc. Many fine examples of these have been shown on this forum.

Which ones do you prefer or have?

 

[Cozmo]

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.

 

[kendudley]

$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

 

[Cozmo]

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".

 

[gazelle]

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.

 

[rbrbrb6]

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