Grip upgrade for my 1860?

[frontiergander]

With my 1860 Army still not processed, I am in the market for some nice looking wood grips. Walnut, maple, burl, etc. I would like something with a nice pattern in it.

Who makes grips for these?

Its a Pietta .44cal 1860 army I bought from Traditions.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

You might try Dixie Gun Works. Their catalog indicates they sell a Mexican Eagle motif faux ivory grip (polyurethane that yellows with age just like real ivory) that fits 1860 Armys, 1851/1861 Navys, and 1873 SAAs. I don't know enough about grips to be able to determine if grips for SAAs generally fit 1860s, but there is a wide variety of grips for SAAs, including a faux ivory fleur de lis checkered grip that is very nice.

 

[1KPerDay]

I don't know enough about grips to be able to determine if grips for SAAs generally fit 1860s,

They don't.

Except some weird hybrid models that have the larger "1860" grip frame, But even in that case you're going to find that you'll have to have them modified or made. Grip frames vary quite a bit. When the mfgs are building the guns they fit and sand the grip frame and grips together, then finish and blue the frame.

 

[Panzerschwein]

If you don't like the stock grips that came on your gun, they can usually be nicely refinished. The Italian clones generally come with decent European walnut that can be finished better than what they came with.

 

[Lightning12]

It's not as easy as buying some ready-made grips. You can't really get off the shelf grips for most single action revolvers, because individual grip frames vary, and the grips need to be fitted to your individual frame. If you are an experienced woodworker, there are lots of grip makers online who will sell you a set of slightly oversized grips in almost any wood you desire, for you to do final fitting and finishing.

If you don't want to be required to finish the grips yourself, your next best bet is to send your revolver frame to the grip maker so he can properly fit a set of custom made grips. Since it's a BP revolver shipping is not a problem; you can send the revolver yourself and receive it by return shipping. A custom made set of wood grips, fitted to your revolver, will cost you about $200.

I have two revolvers with custom fitted grips, and I do not regret the decision at at all. They are both among my favorite revolvers to own and shoot. They definitely stand out from the run of the mill revolver.

Chaz

 

[frontiergander]

well it looks like I will refinish them then.

 

[Crawdad1]

FG, there are people selling grips on e-bay also that may fit your 1860. Do a search there for Colt Grips, but most of the grips are for the Peacemaker.

But here's a link to a few post by guys who refinished their Colts,

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=725105&highlight=9mmfan

 

[BigG]

The SAA or Peacemaker grip was derived from the 1851 Navy Colt grip frame while the 1860 for some reason had the longer grip than the other two.

 

[Crawdad1]

Here's another link to refinishing your grips;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=731710&highlight=Crawdad1

But Colldill is right you take that heavy factory coat off and sometimes there is some real nice wood under there.

 

[Noz]

The 1860 grips were longer to to help the shooter handle the "horrible" recoil of the 44 caliber gun.

 

[swathdiver]

As Cooldill said, you can strip and refinish yours and they'll look much better. Lodgewood Manufacturing, DGW, S&S Firearms also sell unfinished grips with nice woods that you can fit to your Army. Lodgewood has Bird's Eye Maple grips for $10 for your 1860.