Custom 1911 grips......

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Spike89

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So it's been quite a while since I have been on here, and I'm coming back to say that I will be starting the processes to make custom grips for most if not all guns. I have noticed the extraordinary amount of custom grip maker's varieties and though they are various, they tend to be very expensive. I will be starting off only making grips for 1911's and various other semi-auto pistols since they are easier for me to turn out in a short time while still producing a quality product. My question to all of you today would be, what do you look for in a grip? What kinds of wood would YOU like your grips made out of If you were to buy them? I want to start off this endeavor by producing beautiful, handmade, custom grips at a more affordable price then what some of my possible competitor's charge $40 to even $100 dollars for at price ranges closer to $10 to $40. I know that some woods do cost more and those charges will reflect but never to the extent of $100 or even $70. Any ideas will be great, and I will use those ideas to create a product affordable for anyone. Thanks for reading. I know all of you will be extremely helpful in letting me know what exactly it is everyone looks for in a grip.
 
Keep in mind that I am only one person. I am the only person that will create/touch these grips and making the perfect set can take time. Currently I have only made a couple sets for my own use out of cedar which is softer than most companies would like to use. I see it that even though it is a softer wood that dents easily, that in that aspect it only gives these grips more character over time. Oh and they hold up VERY well. I am able to make Gris out of any wood. I will also be making casts to form polyurethane grips as well.
 
There are a lot of companies making polyurithane grips, so I would skip that if it were me.

Wood grips...... You see a lot of walnut, birds eye maple, cocobolo, box elder burl. I'd like to see some black cherry burl wood, and butternut if you can find it. Ironwood could be interesting too, but good luck working it. You'd probably wear your tools out before completing a set. Adam Brown makes some good stuff. I'd check out his website if it were me. I've bought from him, and he makes beautiful stuff.

One thing I think you should focus on is chckering and offering some unique options. There is a woman who makes some beautiful grips with Celtic knot work checkering. Esmeralda O'Sheehan I think is her name.

Also, revolver grips. Try to come up with some unique ergos that could actually enhance a shooters results if possible. Nills Grips has some good stuff. If you could offer a product as nice as theirs, for a lower price, you'd probably get a lot of takers.

Good Luck
 
Best of luck to you. I've now made 4 sets of wood grips. 3 for 1911 and 1 for a Ruger Vaquero.. not counting the time it took to put in the grip mounting holes I would say I have 2-3 hours into each set. (I didn't count the holes since if I was going into production, I'd make a jig and not hand lay them out.) The hours spent are carefully shaping the crown.. working with finer and finer grits of sand paper.. then applying oil or poly to finish them.. at 3 hours, at $7.25 minimum wage I have $21.75 into each set, NOT including the cost of the wood. Nicer woods like Cocobolo and Ebony which I've used are not cheap. My opinion is, to pay yourself any kind of money you will have to charge at least $40..
 
Thanks for the advise ill be looking into black cherry burl, black walnut, butternut, butternut, and ironwood. A friend just ricin memes zebra as well. I know it sounds crazy but I'm not looking to make a whole lot off of them. A little here and there for special designs will go a long way to help me buy other options. I just need something to do in my spare time that will make others happy.
 
Basically I believe that just because someone owns a gun and supports our gun rights that they deserve to have something unique without paying the huge prices some other companies charge.
 
Can you post some pictures of your work fitted to guns?

Common questions you'll have to address with be the availablity of 1) ambi safety grips, 2) flat bottom or beveled, 3) covered MSH pins, 4) how much of the flat of the frame do your grips cover and 5) thickness
 
Hmmmm I will be taking measurements and posting them soon then. I'm going tone making more blanks here soon but I'm going to focus on a jig for now. I just handed of the last set I made to my dad so he can use them but I will post pics when I see him next Monday.
 
I am however starting on some palm swell grips tonight for one of my 1911's if I finish ill post them.
 
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