Custom Revolver Grip Recommendations

[MRBlack]

Good evening, all.

I got word from Bowen Classic Arms that the upgrades to my stainless New Model Super Blackhawk are almost complete! It’s a Bisley 44 magnum with a 4 5/8 inch barrel. Do you all have any recommendations for a custom grip maker or preference on material? I have considered English walnut, ram’s horn, black walnut, or potentially even mammoth ivory. Any recommendations for material or grip maker is much appreciated.

-MR Black

 

[Mauser3000]

That will be a great gun when it’s complete. Hamilton Bowen is top notch. As far as material goes, all of your options would look great. Mammoth ivory looks great on knife handles and revolver stocks but it’s brittle compared to walnut or another handle material. I’ve had it crack and chip on me.

For grip makers, my first choice would be dustin Linebaugh. Nutmeg sports may be able to help you out with custom grips. Eagle grips could probably fit grips of about any material you like to your revolver.

Unfortunately there’s not too many grip makers still working. I’m not sure if Ben Forkin or Jack Huntington do any grip work.

 

[deewayne2003]

Stabilized water Buffalo horn?

 

[Cucuy]

I’m a sucker for spalted maple. The craftsman who made these looks to be out of the business. There are lots of smaller makers who do great work.

 

[BryceM]

Ivory. There’s nothing else like it. It’s not super easy to source or inexpensive, but it can be done legally. Elephant, mammoth, warthog, walrus….. there are options.

 

[CM McKenzie]

Joe Perkins in AZ did my grips in fancy walnut, with my initials inlayed in silver.

 

[AustinM]

That will be a great gun when it’s complete. Hamilton Bowen is top notch. As far as material goes, all of your options would look great. Mammoth ivory looks great on knife handles and revolver stocks but it’s brittle compared to walnut or another handle material. I’ve had it crack and chip on me.

For grip makers, my first choice would be dustin Linebaugh. Nutmeg sports may be able to help you out with custom grips. Eagle grips could probably fit grips of about any material you like to your revolver.

Unfortunately there’s not too many grip makers still working. I’m not sure if Ben Forkin or Jack Huntington do any grip work.

I know Ben is atleast 4-5 years behind on work currently. He does great work, but if you are in a hurry for grips, you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[CM McKenzie]

Took a picture this morning of the Joe Perkins Grips. I think his business is called classic single actions.

 

[Skshyk]

I went with mammoth ivory, have yet to shoot it. Honestly got it mostly for looks. Had it been a shooter I would have gone with rubber grips being it is a 454.

 

[GOLK09]

Herrett Stocks are what my revolvers wear if they don’t have a Tyler T and elk antler magnas.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I’ve used White Micarta on heavy caliber working guns. Micarta looks great and stands up to heavy recoil. Hogue Grips has been outstanding to work with.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

For working gun, can’t beat ivory micarta. For a dressy-working gun or even fancy BBQ gun, hard to beat rams horn or if you can find it muskox horn. Good arguments for all of the wonderful options from warmth of organic wood or horn, to appearance and shear durability of micarta.

Here are a smidge of mine, and little group photo of a few Linebaugh built guns. Most of these have gone on to new loving homes as hand issues from shooting really heavy loads in big bores for two and a half decades seem to have caught up to me. But will always have a fondness for a quality custom sixgun, especially custom five-gun, with custom stocks. Hard to beat.

This top gun has stocks from a pick-up fall sheep horn. I cannot recall who David Clements had made the grips, need to pull one off and look at some point. A friend of mine and true gentleman Robb Barnes has started making some amazing grips and spent a good bit of time last couple years with Dustin Linebaugh and few others getting direction on perfecting profiles.