What to use for grips?

[clintsfolly]

just off the phone with JRH Gunsmithing and my BFR is going to go in for a gripframe mod and grips. But do I have him use walnut or white or black micarta? Never had micarta grips. What are the pro,s and cons of them?

[bullseye]

Walnut is definitely the more aesthetically pleasing of the two. Micarta is a very hardy material that has a nice texture, makes reasonably attractive grips and is also impervious to the elements, so I'd say your intended use for the BFR is your only decision in the matter.

[dhd]

If we get to vote, I vote white micarta.

JRH stocked mine in French Walnut and I know over time they'll get some honest wear on them. Hate it, but that's life.

Now as for white micarta, it looks fantastic and wears hard. My opinion and vote.....

Some say white on stainless doesn't look good, but I beg to differ. I have also had a 357 BH stocked with white Holly and I love the look.

[jeffer]

I vote Micarta.

[jeffer]

I vote again.

[jeffer]

Love the feel of Micarta.

[whitworth]

Micarta is extremely tough -- great material. But I like walnut as well.

[Encore64]

Jack has told me he doesn't do the white Micarta anymore. I've about decided on black Micarta on my next JRH gun.

It'll be a stainless 25-20, so should look just fine.

[CraigC]

Ask Jack about ordering some antique ivory micarta from Sheffield and sending it to him. It's my preference, especially on stainless. I greatly prefer "white" grips on stainless or plated guns, be it stag, ivory, ivory substitute, bone, holly or sheephorn. Walnut and darker woods on blued guns.

White micarta left, American holly right.


Antique linear paper micarta right.


Antique linear paper micarta.


Also had Jack do an extra set in micarta for the .500.

[caryc]

I can't think of anything tougher than Micarta for gun grips unless you make them from metal. The great thing about Micarta grips is that if they start to get a little dull over the years they are easy enough to polish up to a shine again. Micarta can be polished to a dull kind of shine or a pretty good shine as you see in the grips below. To re-polish them Just use a bench buffer if you have one or even a buffing wheel in a high speed drill motor. Jewelers rough works well or you can use what I use to get that extra shine, Brownells 555 White buffing compound. If you happen to fall off a cliff or something and do manage to scratch the grips, you can just sand out the scratch and polish them again. You don't have to worry about weather or rain damaging Micarta grips.

[bobwright]

I like wood, it seems more Wright to me:



'Specially wood 'n' brass:



And then there's stag:




And I don't have any guns that have had the finish completely wore off!

Bob Wright

[caryc]

Have to agree with you Bob. There are endless beautifully different looks with wood. In my business I've certainly seen a lot of them. That's the "only" drawback to Micarta. It's just not as pretty as wood can be.

[dhd]

I always enjoy when Cary shows pics of his work!

Anyway, I win and made my point about white on stainless!

I did except walnut looks so blanking great. Blondes, brunettes, redheadz. I like'm all but married a redhead and have more Blackhawk's stocked with Mesquite than anything. I'm consistently inconsistent.

Jeffer posted some fine revolvers and Craig's guns are always nice to see with the white on stainless. 

[magman]

IMHO nothing beats wood.

[clintsfolly]

Wow Thanks for all the mind boggling information and pictures! Just when I see something and say that's it more ideas show up and confuse me again. At this time am leaning toward walnut as may guns get shot and used but no every day.