tech
Member
I was going to put ivory grips on a officers model I carry but wonder about durability. I have ironwood grips on it now and they are not scarred or anything but I have no knowledge of ivory. Are they prone to cracking?
Mike
Mike
Are Ivory grips a bad idea on a carry gun?
- Thread starter tech
- Start date
- Status
MICHAEL T
Member
I don't belive I would use REAL ivory on a daily carry. I have the fake ivory for my PPK/S and Combat Commander that I use for carry.
farscott
Member
Ivory grips are quite suitable for use on a carry pistol. I frequently carry a Colt Government Model with Nutmeg Sports ivory grips. Other than waxing the grips with Renaissance Wax and a monthly dip in mineral oil, the grips need no maintenance. The mineral oil will keep the ivory from cracking.
I've carried guns for years with "real" ivory stocks, and haven't had any problems. Today they have become rather expensive because of bans on new imports. But if the cost doesn't concern you go ahead. On a blued gun they look especially good in my opinion.
JimC
Member
I routinely carry my blue Ed Brown Kobra Carry with real ivory grips made for the pistol by Nutmeg Sports.
I also treat them monthly with mineral spirits. The older they get, the better they look.
Real ivory is very durable but, they are a tad slick with wet or cold hands. This might be a draw back for a daily carry pistol.
This is an older photo. The grips have since taken on more of a "personality".
I also treat them monthly with mineral spirits. The older they get, the better they look.
Real ivory is very durable but, they are a tad slick with wet or cold hands. This might be a draw back for a daily carry pistol.
This is an older photo. The grips have since taken on more of a "personality".
Ken Rainey
Member
I think that they would be fine...I've had genuine Sambar Stag grips on one of my 1911 pistols for about 5 years without a problem. I believe that it's the genuine Pearl grips that will crack easily. As Michael T said, you can get fake ivory polymer grips but if you've already got a set of genuine Ivory grips, I'd use 'em. You can call or email Ajax grips and they could probably tell you about the durability.
tech
Member
Thanks for all the good info. I think I will take the leap.
Mike
Mike
tech
Member
Thanks for all the good info. I think I will take the leap.
Oh and JimC beautifull work of art you have there.
Mike
Oh and JimC beautifull work of art you have there.
Mike
shooter1
Member
Mike,
I have some of the "Pearlite" grips on my Pro Carry. Mine are the black zebra pattern. They look great on my SS Pro Carry! I have been using them for a couple of years for my leather duty rig or plain clothes. The still look unscaved. Really dresses up the rig.
str1
My grips are made by Ajax-----about $40.
I have some of the "Pearlite" grips on my Pro Carry. Mine are the black zebra pattern. They look great on my SS Pro Carry! I have been using them for a couple of years for my leather duty rig or plain clothes. The still look unscaved. Really dresses up the rig.
str1
My grips are made by Ajax-----about $40.
SAWBONES
Member
I have genuine Dumbo Dentition (elephant tusk ivory) on two of my 1911 carry guns and there's been no problem with it holding up. It's certainly been more durable than some of my wood grips!
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Real ivory can and will split. It is just a matter of time. Then again, the same hold for wooden grips. The difference is the price, of course.
On of the worst things that can happen to ivory grips is that you sweat on them and your salty sweat managed to get into a microcrack or fissure. When the moisture evaporates, you will get salt crystal formation. The growth of the crystals will cause the crack to open more such that next time, you get more sweat in the crack and the cycle will continue in a negative manner.
The inboard side grip will be most prone to sweat from carrying the gun since it will be up against your body (especially if IWB). For comparison, I have seen several guns that have outboard side finishes that look pretty good but that show a lot of surficial rust on the inboard side that is against the body.
I personally don't like the idea of ivory grips on a carry gun for the simple reason that they are expensive and I have no wish to curtail my usual activities because I am worried about damaging the grips while carrying. I have managed to break a couple outboard side grips, banging into things, even under my vest. It happens, unfortunately. I also don't go into china shops for that matter.
On of the worst things that can happen to ivory grips is that you sweat on them and your salty sweat managed to get into a microcrack or fissure. When the moisture evaporates, you will get salt crystal formation. The growth of the crystals will cause the crack to open more such that next time, you get more sweat in the crack and the cycle will continue in a negative manner.
The inboard side grip will be most prone to sweat from carrying the gun since it will be up against your body (especially if IWB). For comparison, I have seen several guns that have outboard side finishes that look pretty good but that show a lot of surficial rust on the inboard side that is against the body.
I personally don't like the idea of ivory grips on a carry gun for the simple reason that they are expensive and I have no wish to curtail my usual activities because I am worried about damaging the grips while carrying. I have managed to break a couple outboard side grips, banging into things, even under my vest. It happens, unfortunately. I also don't go into china shops for that matter.
Had a set on a LW Commander that I used for work for a while. Eventually pulled them off and they are now on an engraved piece which really sets them off. No real downside that I know of, and they certainly lend class.
Only trouble is these days is that there is so much faux stuff out there that no one knows the difference.
Wish I had bought a truckload of them when they were affordable.
Only trouble is these days is that there is so much faux stuff out there that no one knows the difference.
Wish I had bought a truckload of them when they were affordable.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Plastic or rubber grips.
Wooden or ivory stocks.
Wooden or ivory stocks.
tech
Member
Natural material = stock
Synthetic material = grip ?
Synthetic material = grip ?
farscott
Member
I used to think like this, but I realized that the ammo I shoot in a single year costs more than the custom 1911 that fires it. So splurging on ivory does not seem excessive. Ivory is also tougher than a lot of people believe. The mineral oil will keep cracks from forming, and ivory can take a pretty good impact.
In addition, some of the nicer wood choices cost about half as much as ivory. I like ivory on a CCW pistol, so I slapped ivory on two of my carry pistols.
tech
Member
farscott, I am going to give it a shot. When I looked at some nice wood grips I thought... for a little more I could go with ivory. If I only get a few good years out of them, at least I have the experience.
Mike
Mike
ClarkEMyers
Member
I use ivory for a carry gun -
I use ivory for a stainless carry gun - IWB with a sweatshield and enough boned leather to hold the safety in place. I've no doubt ivory takes a little more maintenance than Micarta or Alumagrips. The grips are smooth and the front and msh are checkered - I'd likely go with checkered grips for a smooth pistol. My reserve is black paint (Wilson) with dull dark grips for an industrial look.
I keep thinking about upgrading some of my wood grips if something from Esmeralda or Pik-A-Grip catches my eye but I can't imagine an upgrade for the ivory so that pleases me.
The ivory are I think nice, but in any event they are what I wanted and that's all that matters.
I use ivory for a stainless carry gun - IWB with a sweatshield and enough boned leather to hold the safety in place. I've no doubt ivory takes a little more maintenance than Micarta or Alumagrips. The grips are smooth and the front and msh are checkered - I'd likely go with checkered grips for a smooth pistol. My reserve is black paint (Wilson) with dull dark grips for an industrial look.
I keep thinking about upgrading some of my wood grips if something from Esmeralda or Pik-A-Grip catches my eye but I can't imagine an upgrade for the ivory so that pleases me.
The ivory are I think nice, but in any event they are what I wanted and that's all that matters.
Should you be involved in an incident as a civilian and either be charged criminally or sued by a personal injury lawyer, what impression do you think that you will make before judge or jury whan the prosecutor or plaintiff's lawyer shows the weapon to the jury with the "cowboy" grips? I'm a 1911 carrier, trial lawyer and a lover of blue guns with ivory grips, faux or real. I am, however, reluctant to put them on my social gun.
HiCap
HiCap
tech
Member
HiCap1, Thanks for the warning but my attorney friends around here seem to think in our area(North Central Arkansas) the grip material or bullet used would do little to sway a jury in a self defense situation.
Mike
Mike
farscott
Member
In this part of country, the ivory would probably be an asset, given the shooting was justified. It is a well-accepted practice to carry very nice pistols in very nice holsters.
If the shooting was not justified or illegal, the ivory would not help or hurt. Sorta like a hit-and-run. Does not matter if the vehicle is a creaky 1979 Le Sabre or a spiffy 2005 Navigator.
In the Blue States of RI and MA it is a different world. If some miscreant is arrested and two guns are found in his possession it is an "arsenal" or "cache of weapons" when the storey hits the local rag. Perhaps my aesthetics will rule and I'll go for the faux ivory.
I do have a custom highly polished .38 Super with pearl grips on it a la South of the Border and am looking for silver with torquoise for it. THAT would make a statement.
HiCap
I do have a custom highly polished .38 Super with pearl grips on it a la South of the Border and am looking for silver with torquoise for it. THAT would make a statement.
HiCap
ClarkEMyers
Member
Somebody, Sheriff Jim Wilson I think said silver grips made a statement.
More of a promise than a threat - "good man with a gun" to imply dangerous don't touch.
Given a choice I'll surely make the coasts my very own fly-over territory.
I'm more comfortable not worrying about grips or finish or handloads versus factory ammunition but I can well imagine choosing to more or less exactly match the firearms and ammunition choice of the local law enforcement. Just as I would once have carried a blue steel revolver if I found myself in NYC with rights.
I'd rather think that where I do choose to live ivory grips imply fine upstanding citizen and much of the jury would be in cowboy boots. Not going to get any steer's head with real jewels for eyes carved on any of my grips though - except maybe for a barbecue gun?
More of a promise than a threat - "good man with a gun" to imply dangerous don't touch.
Given a choice I'll surely make the coasts my very own fly-over territory.
I'm more comfortable not worrying about grips or finish or handloads versus factory ammunition but I can well imagine choosing to more or less exactly match the firearms and ammunition choice of the local law enforcement. Just as I would once have carried a blue steel revolver if I found myself in NYC with rights.
I'd rather think that where I do choose to live ivory grips imply fine upstanding citizen and much of the jury would be in cowboy boots. Not going to get any steer's head with real jewels for eyes carved on any of my grips though - except maybe for a barbecue gun?
Fatelvis
Member
White grips? ..... I never understood it. I disagree with patton's statement, I think Ivory grips makes a pistol look as much of a Pimp's gun as pearl. Give me almost ANYTHING ELSE please! 
- Status
