Grips for the .44 Sp. flat top

[5of7]

I have one of the flat top .44 Specials and the grips are somewhat abrasive to my hand when the bullets get heavy and the velocity gets over 900 fps.

I abhor these rubber grips by Pachmeyer et al on a single action revolver because they destroy the aura of shooting the single action revolver.

So, who makes grips that are a little more forgiving to the shooter, yet preserves the 19th century mood of the single action revolver? Please? 8)

 

[gmartinnc]

Anything for the New Vaquero will fit. This is the company that Ruger uses a lot I think.
http://www.altamontco.com/experimental/products/pistol/ruger/#Ruger_newvaquero.php

 

[gak]

A number of gents here, including Carl "Private" Schultz and Cary "CaryC" Chapman--would be happy to help with some nice custom woods that still won't bust the bank.
Customs often take time, so in the meantime 'til you get your ultimate grips, you can tame what you've got my masking them off from the metal and hitting them with a good dose of 00/000 over a wastebasket--knocking off the nasty high points but still leaving them look good (as in not far from new, if you care)...makes them closer to what they "should've" been (assuming they still are what they are!) knockoffs of the ol Colts'. Take as little or much as you want, can make a difference. I keep mine on the gun whilst doing this, thus the masking...though it may take a little more time (we're talking 45 vs 20 or 30 mins) it's something to hold onto for the rigorous "sanding" and/or fine tuning certain spots. All this makes for some decent "working" grips later on when you want to give your nicer ones a break from the rough stuff.

If in a hurry, I'd still check to see of Carl, Cary or Sack or others here have anything "shorter time than usual" - if not, maybe the above mentioned Altimont or Hogue.

New aftermarket/customs, unless specified otherwise/slim "gunfighter" style, will almost always give them a bit more girth in a good way. Most or at least many find the stock "cheese graters" too slim to begin with.
Another route, our very own Sack Peterson - elk "stag."
Lots of choices anyway.

 

[Bob Wright]

All the Altamont grips I've ever seen were either stabilized wood or laminates. Cary Chapman, the CaryC of whom I've spoken often, is the last word in wood revovler grips. They are finished with Tru-Oil and are asome of the most beautiful woods you will encounter.

Bob Wright

 

[gmartinnc]

It just depends on how much you want to spend. The Altramonts are a good and cheap replacement for the factory cheese graters.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Another one to consider would be gooseman179's Bearpaws. I Love them.
Kevin

 

[Rclark]

Here is some bear paw grips on my flattop .45 convertibles. I have them now on most of my guns. I like the feel of them in my hands.... Work for me!

and on a couple other .45s for a bit closer up view:

 

[gmartinnc]

How much is a real nice set of grips like these?

 

[Rclark]

For Bearpaw you can check the prices here : http://stores.ebay.com/Bearpaw-Ruger-Grip-Store .

 

[5of7]

OK guys, thanks for the info.... 8)

 

[BearBio]

My Lipsey's 44 Blackhawk with 1/2 bark elkhorn from Patrick Grashorn (aka Executioner):


I've shown these before but sheephorn by Grashorn. For an OM Blackhawk. Availability varies:


Don't remember the brand. Eagle maybe? Buffalo horn on an OM Blackhawk and matching Randall knife.


And, lastly: Factory (Altamont) on a Vaquero:

 

[Chuckbuster]

I guess if we are sharing pictures.......



The Single Actions are all BearPaws, even have a couple spare sets in case I want to change a look.....

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

With my Lipsey 44 Special I wanted to retain the original trim feel and function- as opposed to hand filling Badgers on my 44 Mag,so I simply replaced the factory grips with Private Schultz grips- ever so slightly more hand filling than Ruger original yet still compact,trim. And very comfy when shooting.The main consideration being the wood.
My favorite.
If this rig does not meet needs with heavier loads,live with it,deal with it,be thankful you can do this stuff-or look to the Mag Blackhawk.

 

[Koveras]

Hogue makes wood grips for the XR3 grip frame that work fine on my 44 Special flat top. They are nothing fancy, but are traditional in appearance and function well.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/648778/hogue-cowboy-grips-ruger-xr3-blackhawk-vaquero-walnut

 

[Hondo44]

My solutions were factory Ruger grips of 10 or more years ago made out of walnut. Cheap to buy used. They are XR3-RED grips but will fit the XR3 grip frames of the New Vaq. and Flat Top Blackhawks merely by shaving about 1/8" from the upper front edge and re-drilling the locator pin holes.

Ivory is always nice and Tru-Ivory from Bar S Grips look just as good for 1/3 the price in three choices of aged ivory color: http://www.truivory.com/

I love stag too:

But a little rough on the hands with hi recoil loads, unless you get some with less 'bark':

If you have the internal lock in your grip frame the factory grips have a recess on the back side for lock clearance. There are three simple solutions:

Sand a depression in the backside of the grips,
Sand both sides of the lock 1/32" on a belt sander so it's flush with the grip frame,
Last and best, throw away the lock and replace it with a Bearcat mainspring seat which will bridge the gap or make a seat:

 

[Hammerdown77]

Hondo, will that mainspring seat work on the XR3-Red lock frames as well? I'm talking about the aluminum frames that come on the large frame Blackhawk.

 

[Hondo44]

Hondo, will that mainspring seat work on the XR3-Red lock frames as well? I'm talking about the aluminum frames that come on the large frame Blackhawk.

Yes it will!