WTB USFA black grips.

Charlie Bison · January 03, 2009, 11:15:46 AM

Does anybody have the USFA black grips they would like to sell. I know they sell them on their site, but they are $45 there. I bought a 12/22 from USFA, a nice piece, but the white grips look pretty bad. Need to replace them.

Thanks

Charlie Bison · January 04, 2009, 03:39:21 PM

Nobody ehh

Grogan · January 04, 2009, 03:44:27 PM

Trouble is...there's a good chance that somebody's "cast offs" WON'T fit your revolver all that well.

When maker's fit grips, they fit them to the metal parts "in the white" (put 'em on there, sand them down to EXACT size/shape of THAT frame) then number them to match the numbers on the metal parts.

The metal parts are then polished, blued, and assembled onto the gun.

The Grips are then attached and fit PERFECTLY.

Doc Sunrise · January 04, 2009, 07:46:13 PM

Grogan hit that point correctly, and I think people want to hold on to what they have for their own possible replacement ideas. I think the Black USFA grips and Walnut should be the standard grips. I find the quality of fit from the USFA grip maker is exceptional, and the Walnut grips, either 1pc. or 2, Stag, Tru-Ivory, Original Ivory, and the Standard Black USFA Grips are great grip materials. I am not a fan of the white grips. I couldn't stand the Colt Ivorex grips and I don't like the white USFA grips. That is just my opinion, which of course I must pay for when placing other grip materials on my USFA guns.

Marshal Will Wingam · January 04, 2009, 08:09:25 PM

Have you tried leather dye on the white grips? You may be able to change the color if the material they use is porous enough. You may even be able to make them a dark brown instead of black and really have something unique. Try it on the inside where you wouldn't see it in case it attacks the grip material or doesn't penetrate enough to do what you want.

Doc Sunrise · January 05, 2009, 04:07:32 PM

It seems to me I remember something in the USFA newsletter about 1 piece Walnut grips, as machined and ready for fitting for $35 + Shipping. It was listed under US-Gun Parts - Parts Deals and stated it would fit all 1st gen and USFA guns.

Charlie Bison · January 05, 2009, 05:48:08 PM

Quote from: Doc Sunrise on January 05, 2009, 04:07:32 PM
It seems to me I remember something in the USFA newsletter about 1 piece Walnut grips, as machined and ready for fitting for $35 + Shipping. It was listed under US-Gun Parts - Parts Deals and stated it would fit all 1st gen and USFA guns.

Can anybody email me this newsletter at aaronclark1861@msn.com

Thanks

Doc Sunrise · January 05, 2009, 08:39:52 PM

Charlie Bison,

Check your e-mail. I sent you a copy of the December Newsletter with those Walnut Grips listed.

Doc

Charlie Bison · January 06, 2009, 10:48:42 AM

I spoke with Gary at USFA today and ordered the walnut grips for $35. I have to say Gary was a great guy. He took the time to answer all my questions and I just had a pleasant experience. He explained what entails fitting the grips. What a great guy and company.

Doc Sunrise · January 06, 2009, 01:40:16 PM

Glad to hear it is working out! Keep us posted.

Grogan · February 13, 2009, 12:05:18 PM

So Charlie,

Did you ever get your grips and how'd they work out?

I, like you, went ahead and ordered a pair of these 1 pc. Walnut Stock "blanks".

They just arrived a few minutes ago, and I'm sitting here looking at them.

Gary said, "They're going to be a LOT of work, fitting those, especially onto an already finished Grip Frame."

Looking at these, they're ~1/3rd thicker on one side than on the other. That side's going to have to be taken down some, to get both sides to match evenly.

Yep, looking at them, they're going to take a LOT of work!!!

Can't say I wasn't warned.

Charlie Bison · February 13, 2009, 05:41:55 PM

Yeah mine are exactly like yours. Gary also warned me, but I thought it would be fun to go ahead and make my own, so I will. I am going to make them into a two piece set though. I have never been a fan of the one piece grips. Anyways let me know how it goes for you and I would like to see a pic when you are done.

Doc Sunrise · February 13, 2009, 06:27:44 PM

I was curious about the walnut grips you got. Are they set up as 1 pc. only? How does the grain look?

I made 2 pair of 2pc. walnut grips from walnut I obtained from the lumber yard thanks to my Dremel tool. It was alot of work, but it was good mental work and it was quite rewarding. The most time consuming was the final fit to the grip straps. But I would like to try a 1 pc. set.

Grogan · February 15, 2009, 11:00:52 AM

Quote from: Doc Sunrise on February 13, 2009, 06:27:44 PM
I was curious about the walnut grips you got. Are they set up as 1 pc. only? How does the grain look?

Yep, they're essentially a single big block of wood, rough shapen in the general shape of SAA Grips and semi-inletted for the Trigger Guard/Backstrap (but probably thinner, will have to be opened up for those to fit).

What surprised me the most was that they're made up "lopsided", i.e. one side is ~30% thicker than the other. That's going to be a fair amount of wood to take down (and try to keep the desired profile).

I think what I'll have to do is to invest in a pair of Woodworker's Calipers and probably try to duplicate the dimensions of the 2-piece grips that came on it.

Digger · March 10, 2009, 01:57:16 PM

Quote from: Doc Sunrise on January 04, 2009, 07:46:13 PM
Grogan hit that point correctly, and I think people want to hold on to what they have for their own possible replacement ideas. I think the Black USFA grips and Walnut should be the standard grips. I find the quality of fit from the USFA grip maker is exceptional, and the Walnut grips, either 1pc. or 2, Stag, Tru-Ivory, Original Ivory, and the Standard Black USFA Grips are great grip materials. I am not a fan of the white grips. I couldn't stand the Colt Ivorex grips and I don't like the white USFA grips. That is just my opinion, which of course I must pay for when placing other grip materials on my USFA guns.

I had the walnut 2 pc checkered grips put on my SAAs at the factory and I can confirm the fit is exceptional and outstanding. I recently had stag grips put on another SAA I got off GunBroker. I was unsure about the decision when I sent it away because as a general rule I don't care for white grips myself. When they came back I was actually very pleased with look of the stag grips, but I noted the fit, while first class, didn't quite match USFA's factory fit.

Digger

Doc Sunrise · March 10, 2009, 04:58:33 PM

I like White as a color, such as Real Ivory, or even the Tru-Ivory, and I definitely like Stag, but the USFA plastic material grips I do not like. The Checkered White USFA plastic is ok, but the plain white is what I just don't like. The only problem with Stag is grip makers are afraid to go thin and crack the material, so usually Stag comes quite thick.

Marshal Deadwood · March 13, 2009, 08:39:12 AM

The fit of grips depends on 'when' it was done. A gun being made,,before blueing ,,can be fitted almost to perfection. After blueing,,it becomes a wee bit more difficult, and its impossible to 'blend' the metal and grip material together in one function. Fit, remove and sand, as opposed to sanding or 'marry'ing' the two materails together in one action.

As far as grips,,I'm a fan of the black 'hard rubber' grips.,,,more so than wood. If given a choice, I'd have ivory on every revolver grip I'd ever own,,probably even an ivory steering wheel on my car...

....I suppose you COULD get a slab of 'tru-ivory' that big ?

MD

Doc Sunrise · March 13, 2009, 02:29:35 PM

If you're talking slabs, you might want to look into marble!

Marshal Deadwood · March 13, 2009, 06:49:15 PM

Doc,,don't even mention 'marble' around a group of older men...you might drive one'a us into cardaic arrest..or make us poop our pants !

MD *ancient posse