OT (gun but not levergun related) - handgun grips

[Ysabel Kid]

I've realized that though I often like the grips that come with most of my handguns, more often than not I end up changing them. Sometimes it is for pure function - especially for any carry I carry frequently. Other times it is for asthetics - just to personalize a gun for me. I've got a pair of grips being worked up right now (one for me and one for Y2K), and will start on a project myself here shortly (the "fitting grips" post earlier this week).

So, with that preamble, how many of you like to customize/personalize your handguns by switching out the stock grips for something else? What is your favorite grip material?

I've been looking at grips in Andean Alder, Ivorywood, and White Ebony wood lately. Does anyone have any experience with those woods? Are you pleased with them?

Lastly, are there any grips/grip material you'd caution everyone to avoid (now that I've given you the floor?)?

Thanks,

YK

[horsesoldier03]

How can you talk about handgun grips and not post a pic of those CELTIC Grips by Esmerelda on your HI POWER?

I would definately like to get a set like that for my 1911. Once my finances settle down I will end up picking me up a set. Right now still working on that next tuition payment for my daughters college. But thats no problem, she is definately worth it!

[Ysabel Kid]

How can you talk about handgun grips and not post a pic of those CELTIC Grips by Esmerelda on your HI POWER?

You all have SCARY good memories!!!

[Leverdude]

I dont often change them on handguns, but I did get Monogrips on my 44 Redhawk.
Went from this,

to this, mostly for shootability.


And I changed out the factory wood for fake stag on my Vaquero, more than anything else to save the originals, although these look & feel good to me.
Before,

Now,


Not sure I have a favorite grip material. Theres alot of variables. Aesthetically I like natural things like wood, antler ect. But functionally its hard to beat that monogrip for me on that gun, I found it hard to handle with the factory wood, alot had to do with the shape & positioning I think. Auto's dont seem to matter much in my hands and single actions either, both are mostly for looks if I concern myself, or to preserve the originals. I drag that Vaquero around alot & it was getting obvious that I was going to beat up the grips. So now with plastic stag horn I could care less. Your High Power looks excellent, but I dont imagine its a working gun.

[J Miller]

All of my shooter revolvers have had the grips / grip frames switched or replaced.

All three of my OM Rugers have had the XR3-RED grip frames removed and replaced with the old XR3 style.
Two of them still wear the factory walnut grips, one has a beautiful set of CLC American Holly grips on it.
My two S&Ws have Pachmyre Gripper grips on them.
My Uberti had the brass GF/TG switched to steel and a set of one piece walnuts installed. Will someday have a one piece set of American Holly.

My favorite grip wood is American Holly.

Joe

[Pathfinder09]

Guilty as charged! I love nice stocks too. Stag are my weakness.

[Doc Hudson]

Lucky for my finances, I generally like faatory stock grips, but there ae some exceptions.

My S&W M-686 wears a set of Pachmayr Jordan Trooper Grips. For a while it wore a set of skinny service style S&W factory grips along with a Tyler T-Grip, but i changed back to the Jordans.

My Always gun came equipped with sticky rubber grips/ I was not terribly upset when the humidity of the delta caused the grip screws to rust so I threw them away and bought a pair of Hogue Monogrips. I put the Hogues on my S&W M-49, and put the skinng wooden service grips on the M-640, along with a Tyler T-Grip. Felt recoil increased a bit, but the wooden grips shaves about 1/4" off overall length, an important matter for a pocket revolver.

Any of you fellows who like scrimshawed grips in Ivory, bone, faux ivory, or micarta should contact Twyla Taylor. The lady is a very talented scrimshander.

[Pete44ru]

After I bought a new Ruger .45 New Vaqureo last year, I ditched the issue cheese graters for a pair of wood grips I fashioned from (I think) Gaboon Ebony.





Then, last Spring, I played around with an old set of bone grips I had in my scrounge box, painted them black and mounted a psuedo 3:10-to-Yuma decoration:



Then, this Summer, I fell in love with the custom checkered Rosewood grips on Ruger's website:





Color me fickle,

.

[Ysabel Kid]

Nothing fickle about it. Changing grips is an easy way to "dress up", or, for that matter, "dress down" a gun. My OM Ruger Super Blackhawk has half a dozen pairs of grips!

I also change out the grips to save the originals - just in case!

The Hi-Power is a carry gun for me - one of several, but a working gun. Those grips panels are cocobolo dorado wood. One of my favorites!

[rangerider7]

These grips are the most talked about grips I have. I don't shoot the Super Blackhawk 44 mag very often but when I do they do cause a commotion in camp. They are quite comfortable too. I like to personalize some of my guns but not all. To each his own I say.

[cshold]

OT ?? Jay in my mind, levers and Colt SAA’s with ivories just seem to go hand in hand.


Not the real deal, but these grips just seem to set this little derringer off.


Have about half the bug to pick up another Colt SAA in .45 with the short barrel and put a set of these on. (please don't tell prayingmom )
http://www.westernandwildlifewonders.co ... cts_id=501

[SmokeEater2]

Good thread! The other day the Cimmaron .45 I carry when I'm working around home suffered a broken(in 3 places) grip so I'm thinking I might try my hand at fashioning some wood grips for it. Since I'm ham handed and got no talent they'll probably be about as ugly as the south end of a north bound Razorback though.

[Hank Dodge]

I had Cary Chapman build a set of grips for my new .44 Special Blackhawk out of American Holly. They came out really nice and changed the feel and balance of the gun in a very positive way. The stock hard plastic grips just don't do it for me.

[madman4570]

Had a set of African Pink Ivory Wood on my Colt 1991A1 and they discolored real bad after only a couple years.??? I swithched to the McCormick grips.

Always liked the highly checkered Walnut Herrett Target grips for the Ruger Big Bore Singles,(Super Blackhawk etc.) and the Chip McCormick "Rosewoods" for the Single Autos like the (Colt 1991A1)

[jhrosier]

I'm a fan of the Ajax fake ivories on my single actions.
The look and feel good to me.



Jack

[cshold]

I'm a fan of the Ajax fake ivories on my single actions.
The look and feel good to me.



Jack

Hummm! thinking to myself, why exactly did I spend all that $ on real ivories?
Jack they look real good to me as well

[J Miller]

CLC yellowed American Holly grips on my OM BH:





Going on three years of use now. Looking goooood!!!

Joe

[jhrosier]

...
Hummm! thinking to myself, why exactly did I spend all that $ on real ivories?
Jack they look real good to me as well

I would have real ivory if finances permitted.
The real ivories cost as much as the gun, or more, so I would have only half as many Rugers.
(I'm not willing to make that tradeoff, though.)

Ajax fake ivories seem to strike a good balance of color, if not texture.
I used to take off the Ruger fake ivories as I dislike the bleached bone color, and give them away.
I've since learned that they sell dear and well.

Jack

[jhrosier]

CLC yellowed American Holly grips on my OM BH:
....
Going on three years of use now. Looking goooood!!!

Joe

They look good Joe. I like the color.
What does a set of those go for these days?

Jack

[J Miller]

CLC yellowed American Holly grips on my OM BH:
....
Going on three years of use now. Looking goooood!!!

Joe

They look good Joe. I like the color.
What does a set of those go for these days?

Jack

Jack,

These cost me "around" $125.00 three years ago. I haven't been to Carry's site recently but I think they are around $150 now.
I had to send my grip frame in for him to fit them. I'm a picky old phart and I like 'em fitted right. Not like a lot of the aftermarket grips that stick out everywhere and are squared off where they meet the back strap and trigger guard.

Joe

[CowboyTutt]

I like my grips to be functional, not just beautiful. Here are some grips made for my Accusport Bisley in 45 Colt.

These were made from Purple Heart Wood that I sent to Carey at CLC grips. They involved many coats of True Oil, the headstamp from Hornady 45 Colt cases, and his "tear drop" design that is wider at the rear of the grip and narrower at the front. The idea was to spread out the recoil to a larger portion of the hand. There is also a shoulder on the grip as you can see. This helps to get a consistant grip every time you pick up the gun which anyone will tell you is important in shooting technique as well as reduces the guns ability to push the grip down through your hand under recoil. Purple Heart Wood is also classified as a hardwood and is very durable.







These are also made in the same pattern by Carey using stabilized Spalted Karilian Birch from Europe. Stabilized woods are put in a vacuum chamber under high pressure and acrylic material is forced through the wood. Afterwords, the wood is many times more durable and also not affected by solvents. It allows you to use woods that normally would be too soft like the Karillian Birch. You can contact Mike at Stabilized Wood International to get samples, or Carey at CLC also always has blanks on hand.



Lastly for my Kimber 1911 in 10mm I contacted Mike at Stabilized Wood Inter. and told him what I wanted in stabilized California Buckeye. It took him about a month to find it, but he sent me the blanks and I sent them to Esmeralda to have them cut for use with an ambi safety.



-Tutt

[CowboyTutt]

But I forget myself, for I know the next grips are YK's FAVORITE! They strike terror into any two or 4 legged vermin who see them (also very easy to find inside that black duffle bag!)



-Tutt

[Ravenman]

Some of my grips on different guns.

[shawn_c992001]

I like Eagle's Gunfighter grips in Buffalo Horn!

[Ysabel Kid]

But I forget myself, for I know the next grips are YK's FAVORITE! They strike terror into any two or 4 legged vermin who see them (also very easy to find inside that black duffle bag!)



-Tutt

I need my sunglasses before looking at those grips!

I did not know that you could send wood to Esmeralda to have her make grips!

[alnitak]

Change grips on all my pistols. I'm partial to stag, ivory, mammouth, buffalo horn and fancy, burled rare hardwoods (that about covers it I guess). Which one I choose is very dependent upon the type of pistol and the available funds at the time!!

[kimwcook]

Well, Alnitak, were are you pictures? Sounds like a great choice.

[Ysabel Kid]

Well, Alnitak, were are you pictures? Sounds like a great choice.

+1

[alnitak]

OK, OK...I know you guys have seen these before, but it's all the pictures I have now:

[bsaride]

Good looking grips posted.

I'm partial to custom wood and will replace grips on most of my guns.

Right now finishing up a deal on a pair of Fuzzy Farant grips.
Second deal in second month, lost $150 last month on a pair that postal employee stole.

Extra funds are committed with the holidays commin up but I will have to buy a couple K frames to finish the grip purchase.
Had a pair of Fuzzy's on my 624 LH 3 inch and swore I'd get more if I ever got the chance.