Arizona custom grips magna-tusk on Colt SAA

Ordered these on a whim after looking into ivory. They seem dense and heavy and really well made. I’ve seen ivory on SAAs and I assumed I’d love it on mine. These are the kind you have to epoxy together with an included spacer. After the mock-up I’m not sure I like them. Thoughts are welcome.

I kinda prefer the OEM eagle grips and wonder if some nice wood ones would be better than all white.

 

I bought some for a couple Rugers and like them.

RBI by dickydalton posted May 29, 2021 at 8:35 PM

NMV by dickydalton posted May 29, 2021 at 8:34 PM

 

Imitation ivory is a heartbreaker, as far as I'm concerned. I have multiple pair and they just don't quite scratch the itch. At best they still don't look or feel much like ivory, and at worst they look like cheap counter top.

I'm going to start looking into other natural materials, like bone and horn.

 

Burnt bone or stag would be my preference since they give a pleasing texture to the grip. I've handled my share of ivory objects but personally never felt the appeal.

I think horn looks much more interesting, but I've been leery of the stuff ever since an incident where I put away a bovine powder horn for a few months and later discovered it had been severely damaged by beetle larvae. I couldn't believe how fast they had completely riddled it -- if you go with horn, take storage precautions against bugs!

 

I’m unable to enlarge the photos you presented. But from what I can tell, the faux ivory looks good.

 

I put a set of those on a Vaquero.
I really would like a set made out of natural bone for its grain and texture, but they can get expensive.

I have no bad words for the Magna's.

I think your grips look fine, but you are your own best judge. Grab some wood grips that catch your eye.
You can always swap them back and forth, depending on your mood.

 

My experience exactly.

 

I personally think that darker grips look better on the blued/CCH guns. But only you know what catches your eye.
To me the bright grip takes the attention away from a beautiful CCH job.

 

The wide variety of grips available for handguns is a true testament to how subjective folks are about them. It's your gun, stick with what you like, and don't worry what we think.

 

I like the contrasting colors between the metal and the grips.
I had my faux Ivory on my stainless Blackhawk briefly. I didn't care for it.
I think they are striking on a blue or cch gun. That's just me.


That's a beautiful Colt @1KPerDay .
I wish I hadn't got the medallions on my grips. They look more realistic without.

 

Howdy

I have never felt the need for Ivory (or fake ivory) grips. We all know what Patton said about pearl grips.

My 2nd Gen Colts still wear the plastic grips that came on them.






My 1st Gen Bisleys still wear the hard rubber grips that they were shipped with.








The only single action I have these days with wood grips is this Uberti Cattleman.






Just never felt the need to replace any of these grips.

 

My single actions all wear wood grips, because that's what they came with. Never been a fan of Ivory, but a good Stag is pleasing to both my hand and eye. I have a Uberti Old Model 38-40 that I'd like to find a set of Colt eagle grips for, since I like the look of them better than the walnut that came on the gun. Of course, I wouldn't turn down a nice set of stags for it either!

Mac

 

My revolvers change "shoes" more often than Imelda Marcos.

 

1KPerDay

Personally I like your new magna tusk grips but then I have always had a "thing" for blued guns and ivory colored grips. Since I can't afford the real deal with ivory I have gone the faux ivory route.

My first choice with my Ruger Flattop Blackhawk was American Holly wood as I think they have a nice ivory coloration to them. Next would be the pair of Bar-S Tru-Ivory grips I got for my Ruger Vaquero. These were labeled "New Ivory" as there were other color variations available to simulate a more aged look to them.

The black plastic grips that came on my Beretta Stampede were okay but I couldn't resist trying to find some faux ivory grips for it. Took me awhile but I finally found a pair from some online grip seller and while they took some additional work to get them fitting right, I'm pleased with the way they turned out.

 

Nobody should own that many shoes!!! LOL

But I get your point

 

Those look great. I wonder if I'd prefer some with the medallions and even the screw hole. It's just like there's too much white for me as is. I think I'll install them and try them out for a while though.

 

Yes.... they are white. I am thinking about pulling mine and putting some wet coffee grounds on the back side to see it that will "age" them a bit.

 

1KPerDay

Don't tell anyone here but I do the same faux ivory grip thing with my semi-autos as well! Think they turned out really nice, especially the ones on my Colt Mustang!



I think the medallions add something and bring the whole ivory grip thing together for a real classy look!

 

Im not crazy about them against the case-hardened frame. Id go with walnut personally.
Beautiful gun BTW!

 

Thanks. Who do you like for one piece walnut grips that fit the Colt 3rd Gen?

 

There are a few sets of wood grips on EBay under Colt SAA 3rd gen.

 

Yeah, maybe that’s it.

 

Y'all probably know I love ivory. I wrote an article about ivory and substitutes, read it here.

http://www.sixgunner.org/ivory.html

Since I wrote that, I got some of the Uberti factory imitation ivory and it is actually very good. A definite step above cheap polymer and probably bordering on that of TruIvory. They're $200 a set.





I also got River Junction to do me a set in giraffe bone. These are "rustic" and unfinished so that I can age them. The sixgun is going to be engraved and aged.



Ugh, the ubiquitous Patton quote about mother-of-pearl grips. I wish people would forget it. I imagine there were a lot of Texas and Arizona Rangers that would've strongly disagreed with that dumb quote. Tom Threepersons' Colt SAA is a gorgeous sixgun.



I'm glad I got over it. Uberti actually has a very good pearl substitute.

 

Those are all works of art CraigC, but that break top is stunning!