Another Pietta 1873 SA Clone Brought Home

[Matthew Clark]

Way back in Feb 2021 I got my first Pietta 1873 clone ( a pair actually) and started learning how to make grips for them. When I finally get the last one home on my list I'll have 4 total. I posted pics of the first ones I got grips made for back in July. Now I have another one done. I moved the first grips to the last gun still at the LGS a Nickel grip frame one. I tried to match up the pair of octagon barreled GUNFIGHTERS with ambrosia curly maple burl. Not bad for two different sets of blanks. Then I just made the Claro walnut grips for the Brass Frame round barrel version.
The grips on the one still at the LGS are looking pretty good on that Nickel framed .357magnum but that last pic is of some beautiful blackline maple burl blanks I have laying around. I am toying with the idea of making a set for that Nickel framed .357Mag and switching them out. I'm worried they will be too light colored and I won't like it as well. These Piettas are held to a very high quality control standard and I have been able to swap grips from gun to gun for a perfect fit. The brass frame being the exception due to the outer contour of the grip frame. I could just make them and be done with it. If they don't suit on that gun I could put em on a different one. Problem is my LGS gun lady is out of Piettas. Don't know when she'll get more.
It's really hard to tell if the wood for grips is going to dazzle you or make you cringe till they sit on the gun completely oil finished for your viewing pleasure.
Any opinions pro or con are welcome about what you think they'll look like. I don't have any other revolvers with a Nickel finish anywhere let alone the grip frame to compare. I really don't want to waste the blanks on a grip style if they are never going to get used. The stainless revolvers I have are a Rossi 851 Interarms, S&W 66-8 brushed stainless, S&W 686 no dash, Ruger GP100. All of them look better to me with dark grips. Stainless is not Nickel and the Nickel shines a bit more. Any pics someone would want to share of a Nickel gun with light colored grips would be welcome.
Anyway, enjoy the pics. If you have something to share that might help my conundrum fire away.
Thanks and happy shooting!

 

[hawg]

They should look nice on any nickel plated gun but may I ask why the grip screws go in from the right side?

 

[Matthew Clark]

They should look nice on any nickel plated gun but may I ask why the grip screws go in from the right side?

I have no real reason in particular for that arrangement. Just how I started making them. Is there a reason for starting from the left? I am unaware of any difference and am curious. I suppose it was an unconscious thought as to the way I hold the revolver while tightening the screw right handed.
Thanks for your thoughts on the grips light or dark.
The more I think on it the more indecisive I become on it. I'll figure it out sooner or later. Lol!

 

[Matthew Clark]

They should look nice on any nickel plated gun but may I ask why the grip screws go in from the right side?

Your question got me really curious.
I have noticed that all of my handguns that have factory grips the screw does in fact go from left to right.
However all the ones with aftermarket grips the screw goes from right to left.
Altimont is the only exception, they are same as factory. These are from BearPaw Grips for Ruger Blackhawks in the photos. I guess I got the idea there.

 

[1KPerDay]

The burl looks great.

 

[hawg]

Your question got me really curious.
I have noticed that all of my handguns that have factory grips the screw does in fact go from left to right.
However all the ones with aftermarket grips the screw goes from right to left.
Altimont is the only exception, they are same as factory. These are from BearPaw Grips for Ruger Blackhawks in the photos. I guess I got the idea there.View attachment 1035148 View attachment 1035149 View attachment 1035150

I was just curious as to why you did it that way since factory grips go from left to right.

 

[CraigC]

I have them done that way so I can have a blind screw. The tip of my finger always seems to find it.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I like my Pietta's a lot. Sold all of my Uberti revolvers over the summer. Still have the Cimarron Pietta .38LC/Spl and EMF Great Western II .357Mag. Good guns and very durable so far. The Cimarron has the transfer bar safety and is slick as can be with that light-weight frame. The GWII has been slicked up just a touch and wears a Ruger ejector. I prefer the straight-line ejector rods of Rugers.