Since the factory grips don't fit very well and I had planned on replacing them anyway I want to put some custom grips on it. I have kinda gone crazy on the gun purchases lately and deleted most of the fun money I would like to keep the price reasonble. I have not decided on the material yet which is probably the biggest factor in prices. I know I don't want Mother-of-Pearl and real Ivory is too expensive from what I have found so I am thinking about either fancy Walnut with nice marbling, buffalo horn or some kind of bone or antler. Does anyone have a favorite maker or experience with With any custom makers? Pics would be a great help especially if they are on a stainless gun, if they are on a single action would be even better and if it happens to be a Bisley, wooh hooh!

One of the grip makers I have been looking at is Patrick Grashorn who makes grips out of Elk antler. Anyone use him or have pics of grips made from antlers? Price is around $200 and they are fit to your individual gun.

Elk Antler on a 1911 - Lone Star Custom Grips - Zane Thompson, Johnson City, Texas

Lacewood on Ruger stainless Bisley Hunter - Privates Custom Grips

American Holly on Ruger Flattop .44 Special - Lone Star Custom Grips, Johnson City, Texas. Holly is close in looks to ivory, ages in a similar fashion - MUCH less expensive. I recently saw a set of elephant ivory grips with a big ugly monogram on one grip offered for $400! Most of my grips are from Zane Thompson, Privates, or Badger Custom Grips. All three are good, and fairly reasonable. My last three sets came from Zane, likely get my next 3 from him, also. Fellow Texan and Ruger Forum member, does great work!

Well, wooh hooh...

Bisley




Both are Grashorn's work and both are perfect fit and finish.

Nice!

Thanks to both of you! About how long from the time you sent the gun in to when you got it back from Grashorn?

Keep in mind that a real or rather true set of custom grips should not only be fitted to the grip frame but also to your hand most importantly. Here are a couple of the newest Bisley grips by JRH.

Gorgeous, Max!

For me Alan Harton makes the best feeling grips.

He never saw my wheel guns. I contacted him and told him what I wanted, a couple weeks later I was slapping them on my gun. He told me if they didn't fit perfectly to send him the gun and grips and he'd make them right, never had to.

Seems like I read somewhere he'll make the grips out of your antler, horn, whatever, also. Next time that's the way I'm gonna go.