Getting fancy in my old age...

Aqualung · Apr 27, 2020

For many years I always liked the idea of custom grips and dressing up my guns. However, I never really wanted to spend the money or thought it important enough to do custom, cosmetic work.

I always flipped through 41 Magnum's grip lists and Cary's posts kind of like how a kid flipped through the old Sears Wish Book at Christmas time (now...who remembers those?). Now, a few years later, I found I have a change of heart, but 41 and Cary have retired.

I liked the idea of the whitetail antler inserts for my SP101, but couldn't track any down, so got a set of elk antler ones from Sack Peterson. They arrived today and look pretty sharp:

And, that's not all...I've got the grip frame of my 4 5/8" .357 mag Blackhawk in a box to take to the post office to send to Chigg's Grips...will add photos when they come in.

Aqualung

contender · Apr 28, 2020

As a collector,, influenced by the quest for guns "as shipped" I too have mostly tried to avoid the "custom" route.
But,, then as I enjoyed some of my shooters,, and wanted to do "something" to enhance them,, I've added custom grips, & other mods to many of my guns.

Sounds like (and looks like) you chose to do the same. Nice grip inserts!

BearBio · Apr 28, 2020

The majority of my pistols have had custom grips ranging from ivory on my matching pythons to carved ivory on my 1901 Colt Bisley shipped to Mexico to bighorn sheep on my custom Ruger Vaquero. Older, scarcer firearms kept factory grips (i.e. my 1943 GI 1911 rumored to be issued for Iwo Jima).

Armybrat · Apr 28, 2020

Those sure look nice on your SP.

SteelBlue · Apr 28, 2020

I don't know. I think I like OEM grips best on this gun. Anything else is like chrome spinner wheels on a car.

goboom · Apr 29, 2020

Stags look great! Sack Peterson does fine work.

SteelBlue · Apr 29, 2020

Don't like 'em. Not appropriate for the design/age of this gun. Stags should be on single action western style guns only IMO. Let the flames fly!

falrifles · May 2, 2020

I love them. I have a set just like them on my early full lugged SP101 .22. Life's too short to have an ugly gun. My original grips have a shinny black plastic insert. 100% visual improvement and feel. My number two son, has the same inserts on his three inch Sp101 .357. He bought both sets from someone on this forum many years ago. He gave me mine for my birthday right after he bought both sets.

I'm contemplating buying a 2 1/2 inch SP101 .357. I'll put elk inserts on that one as well. Like yours a lot.

Life is about choices. We pay our money and make our choice based on what pleases us, not the next guy...

LAH · May 2, 2020

Like those.

dixie884 · May 7, 2020

Yeah, you did good.........

Rumrunner · May 8, 2020

They look great on your SP.

Aqualung · May 8, 2020

Thanks all.

Aqualung

powder smoke · May 9, 2020

Awesome congrats! ps

Aqualung · May 27, 2020

And now...Got my Blackhawk frame back from Chad with a nice set of Claro Walnuts:

I think he did a really nice job!

Thumbs up for Chigg's Grips. I highly recommend them!

Aqualung

Old RugerFan · Jun 7, 2020

Both the of those are beautiful! Well done!

eveled · Jun 19, 2020

I like the stags on the sp101 a lot. I also like the custom Chigg’s. Nicely done.

falrifles · Jun 19, 2020

I just ordered a pair myself from Sack Petersen today. Yesterday I bought a three inch SP101 manufactured in 2012 from a neighbor of mine. Anxious to see how they will look. I love the general appearance.

CrazyCarl · Jan 3, 2021

This Turkish walnut from Chig is waiting to go on a 6.5" .41 Blackhawk I've got at Tyler Gun Works for SBH Hunter grip frame & hammer, accuracy package & 1/4 coverage engraving.

Ale-8(1) · Jan 3, 2021

I have a set of Cary's holly grip panels with "blackbird" medallions. I put 'em on whichever gun I'm playing with at the time. :mrgreen:

Bear Paw Jack · Jan 3, 2021

Aqualung, I like the looks of the stags on your SP101. The grips themselves don't fit my hand worth a hoot. Shooting magnum loads whacks my knuckle. I prefer the Hogue grips and even better both of my 3"ers have the Trausch grips. I really like those.

protoolman · Jan 26, 2021

Both artisans are top notch. Well worth the price!

thedogdidit · Sep 30, 2024

Aqualung said:
And now...Got my Blackhawk frame back from Chad with a nice set of Claro Walnuts:

I think he did a really nice job!

Thumbs up for Chigg's Grips. I highly recommend them!

Aqualung

I really dig the spent shell in lieu of a medallion

gnappi · Sep 30, 2024

Aqualung... "For many years I always liked the idea of custom grips and dressing up my guns. However, I never really wanted to spend the money or thought it important enough to do custom, cosmetic work."

I've been of the same mind over the years and have taken custom grips off handguns I bought just to pay extra for the OEM grips

Doublebarrel2 · Sep 30, 2024

My only stag grips, 9mm speed six. Couldn't resist this these.

Aqualung · Sep 30, 2024

Wow, talk about a thread revival!

Thanks to all! Just want to reiterate that Sack and Chad do great work.

@thedogdidit , check your PMs.

Aqualung

thedogdidit · Sep 30, 2024

Aqualung said:
Wow, talk about a thread revival!

Thanks to all! Just want to reiterate that Sack and Chad do great work.

@thedogdidit , check your PMs.

Aqualung

Thanks you very much for the message, and the pix!
Found what I want.....but somebody beat me to the blanks.
12AA "exhibition desert ironwood burl on fire" I am going to reach out to him about a set similar. I am sure he has a good rotation of stock. Chigs grips are exactly what I need.

Paul B · Sep 30, 2024

The only gun I might put a set of fancy stocks on is my 5.5" Colt single action in .44 Special. Maybe, if I can find a decent piece of very fancy walnut I'll try doing it myself.
Paul B.

arfmel · Sep 30, 2024

“Don't like 'em. Not appropriate for the design/age of this gun. Stags should be on single action western style guns only IMO.”

Cofaler · Sep 30, 2024

Oh, the Sears wish book... I spent hours fawning over the Little Joe Cartwright rig. Never got it. That explains a lot...

Randyzzz · Oct 1, 2024

Custom grips…I love them, but…

I guess my wife’s right when she says I have OCD. My biggest issue with custom grips is the fear that I’ll bugger them up. I’ve always been this way, and personally I find myself quite annoying.

It started when I was a kid. I would always buy two hot wheels, one to play with and one to keep in the package nice and safe. I build nice cars, but I’m paranoid about getting dings or scratches to the point of having a hard time enjoying them. I’ve got a five figure paint job on the Jeep I’m currently building. I doubt that it will ever see dirt. I’ve been considering getting a second set of micarta grips for the guns that I carry around. That way I can have one nice set one set to use. And yes, reading back through this. I realize how stupid it sounds but I’m too old to change now.

Getting fancy in my old age...

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