What wood for copper wrangler?

[bsparker]

Got a buddy who wants me to make wood grips for a Ruger Wrangler (copper color). I don’t personally love the copper color and can’t really picture anything other than black grips going on it.

He’s open to strong graining and color variation. I just want it to look right.

What do you think would go well with it?

(Feel free to recommend something not on the list. I’ve googled but still don’t find a lot of inspiration.)

 

[starling]

Definitly Ebony

 

[ontarget]

Yup, I think black is about the only thing that could look good on that thing.

 

[fxvr5]

Anything but black. Black is too plain and boring. It needs some color to jazz it up.

Here's some examples:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ruger/comments/j0zwdz/new_wood_grips_for_my_awesome_little_wrangler/
https://www.rugertalk.com/threads/ruger-newest-single-6-wrangler-22lr.7932/
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/rugers-wrangler/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ruger/comments/lge1rr/i_really_like_these_new_grips_on_my_wrangler/
https://wac.edgecastcdn.net/001A39/...2b22c3b754eea05db6_1609004779713_0_L1800.jpeg

 

[NeroM]

Something dark red, perhaps ?

 

[Bazoo]

My first instinct is a dark, nearly maroon, red. Not rosewood, though. Maybe purple heart would look good.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Padauk, but to keep it red you’d have to re-finish it every few years.

 

[Rubone]

I voted rosewood because I saw something in red as a first choice, but I prefer it a bit darker, like a blood red.

 

[tinhorn]

I agree with you that black grips would look good--they would justify the black cylinder. It isn't that tough to strip and dye wood grips black. I did it on a pair of 1858 Remingtons and am very pleased with the result.

My wife's Wrangler (black) is sporting the wood grips that came on one of my Sixes.

They're not wood, but a set of these are going on my Single Sixes when I recover from frivolous Christmas spending. The colors might work with that odd copper Wrangler.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would think rosewood would look nice with copper.

I found this picture (not gun related) here:
https://www.midcenturymaddist.com/shop/mid-century-full-length-rosewood-and-copper-mirror/


The photo just shows how the rosewood and the copper appear together.

 

[Stumper]

Maple stained electric blue.

 

[Riomouse911]

I agree with you that black grips would look good--they would justify the black cylinder. It isn't that tough to strip and dye wood grips black. I did it on a pair of 1858 Remingtons and am very pleased with the result.

My wife's Wrangler (black) is sporting the wood grips that came on one of my Sixes.

They're not wood, but a set of these are going on my Single Sixes when I recover from frivolous Christmas spending. The colors might work with that odd copper Wrangler.

View attachment 1051121

Cool!

My Great Uncle carried this old M&P .38 Spl. for 20 years as a cop in Las Vegas. He had it shod in sterling silver with copper accents; a Mexican eagle and an Aztec calendar.



I’ve had the bluing restored so it’s close to its original glory. Now the silver/copper grips do look pretty cool next to the blue, I sure think those grips will look great on your single six!

(I also chose ebony to match the Wranglers cylinder .)

Stay safe.

 

[bannockburn]

bsparker

I'm a big fan of American Holly for grips, probably because I like the look of ivory grips but not their price!

I also like stag grips but they probably cost more than what you initially paid for the gun!

 

[DR505]

My choice is Cordia, because it looks and feels great:

 

[CraigC]

Something with a reddish hue like cocobolo or maybe rosewood.

 

[Howland937]

The burnt bronze Wrangler is the one my kid picked out the other day. It wasn't my first, second, or third choice (pretty sure they only make 3 colors) Haven't shot it yet, but was already thinking the boring black grips gotta go.
I'd glanced around for something in a light laminate, but nothing caught my eye. If it's real wood, I'd say darker is better.

 

[Bazoo]

How about, saw cut red oak barn board. Leaving the sawcut and natural grey patina on the high spots like stags popcorn. Then the red of the oak coming through, a few coats of formbys tungoil and it'd pop.

 

[bsparker]

Anything but black. Black is too plain and boring. It needs some color to jazz it up.

Here's some examples:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ruger/comments/j0zwdz/new_wood_grips_for_my_awesome_little_wrangler/
https://www.rugertalk.com/threads/ruger-newest-single-6-wrangler-22lr.7932/
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/rugers-wrangler/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ruger/comments/lge1rr/i_really_like_these_new_grips_on_my_wrangler/
https://wac.edgecastcdn.net/001A39/...2b22c3b754eea05db6_1609004779713_0_L1800.jpeg

Thanks for the inspiration, some of the bright red hues don’t look bad.

 

[bsparker]

I agree with you that black grips would look good--they would justify the black cylinder. It isn't that tough to strip and dye wood grips black. I did it on a pair of 1858 Remingtons and am very pleased with the result.

My wife's Wrangler (black) is sporting the wood grips that came on one of my Sixes.

They're not wood, but a set of these are going on my Single Sixes when I recover from frivolous Christmas spending. The colors might work with that odd copper Wrangler.

View attachment 1051121

Now that’s fancy. I like the look (above my skill level at this point lol but good motivation).

 

[bsparker]

Maple stained electric blue.

I had actually looked at a piece of Blue Mahoe that caught my eye the other day, had good bit of natural bluing to it.

 

[bsparker]

My choice is Cordia, because it looks and feels great:

View attachment 1051198

I thought I saw similar grips on another thread (the S&W .41mag in handgun hunting). Cordia looks great.

I may have to find some and try making a set for my 686.

 

[bsparker]

How about, saw cut red oak barn board. Leaving the sawcut and natural grey patina on the high spots like stags popcorn. Then the red of the oak coming through, a few coats of formbys tungoil and it'd pop.

the grey/red combo is intriguing. I haven’t tried grips with oak, was afraid of the stringy (wide/long grain) nature of many oaks.

on another note, I just finished off some walnut grips with linseed oil (instead of Tru-oil) for the first time two nights ago. The natural oils add a nice color and texture. I have yet to use tungoil. Good suggestion.

 

[doubleh]

I voted for bacote because of the strong graining comment. Personally I can't think of anything better than black for that particular color.

 

[nofendertom]

I would drill out the Ruger emblem and insert a shiny new copper penny in its place.

 

[J-Bar]

I like the look of weathered copper with the blue/green highlights. Put some turquoise grips on that ugly duckling and help it become a swan!
A .22 barbecue gun!!