Texas Grips

[hporter]

My wife ordered two sets of grips from Texas Grips for my Christmas gift this year. I asked for a set of the Blackhawk Extended grips in Mesquite and for a set of Ruger Security Six grips in Mesquite. I got them today, and boy are they nice.





I never liked the stock grips on my Ruger Flattops. I ordered a set of the Bearpaw oversized grips, and they are better - but not quite what I wanted.

The Texas Grips extended set feel very good in my hand. I will hopefully get a chance to try them out next week.

And the new Ruger Security Six grips fit my hand perfectly. I liked the oversized factory grip as shown on my stainless Security Six, but the Texas Grips feel much better to me.

I was just so tickled, I wanted to share. Now I need to save up some money for a set of the extended Blackhawk grips for my 45 Colt flattop.

 

[Jeff H]

Those look really nice.

The one on the Security Six has some subtle differences from any I've seen which wold make a big difference for me in handling. I think I'd be able to get along with those quite well.

 

[Ian]

Cool. I did similar about ten years ago from very aged mesquite root for my New Vaquero. Only difference is maple for the contrast on the frame "extension".

 

[Jeff H]

Those look great. I wouldn't need the extra length, but everything else looks like it would fit me perfectly.

 

[hporter]

Ian,

Those grips look great.

I've never been much of a wood worker, but I think I am going to take some sandpaper to my old Bearpaw grips and try to reshape them into something that fits my hand better. They are really thick at the top, which feels funny to me. I would love to be able to "make" a set of grips like you did. But I wouldn't know where to start.

The grip extension below the frame makes all the difference in the world to me. Feels much better in the hand.

 

[Winelover]

SA revolver grips are pretty simple (inside surface is flat) unlike most semi-auto grips.





Made these grips for my Browning HP out of black & yellow micarta. They match a folding knife (2nd one down), made with the same material.

 

[Jeff H]

... old Bearpaw grips and try to reshape them into something that fits my hand better.

I have a tough time finding grips that feel "right" for DAs, mostly, but some SAs too.

They are really thick at the top, which feels funny to me. I would love to be able to "make" a set of grips like you did. But I wouldn't know where to start....

THIS is where I think I have the most trouble with SA grips - being too thick or too thin toward the top. Those look like they're just right for me.

I do get along fine with the original length XR3-RED grip, the SBH being way too long and the Bisley being just wast too big overall, and the old XR3 - too small. I do think a set for an XR3-RED with flat bottoms (no bevel) would be a positive for me though.

You and @Ian are making me think I should get it in gear and make a set. Not like I don't have a bunch of wood chunks lying around. Last night I stuck a piece of curly cherry in the stove and it just didn't feel right. Once the fire got going good, it hit me - THAT was half a dozen sets of really pretty grips, DUMMY! I didn't see a spoon in it, so it got past me.

EDIT:
Dang, man! these look like what I'm thinking would work. Have to wait a while until I liquidate a few more "assets:"

Ruger XR3-Red Blackhawk Cocobolo - Texas Grips

These beautiful Solid Cocobolo grips will fit the Ruger New Blackhawk (except flattop models), Super Blackhawk Short Barrel (4.6" and 5.5"), Old Army, "original" Vaquero, New Single Six models, and Wrangler models. They will also fit all XR3-RED grip frame models with or without the internal...

texasgrips.com

 

[twodot]

American holly on a Super Blackhawk
..

 

[462]

View attachment 25651
American holly on a Super Blackhawk
..

I was looking at those for my New Vaquero.

 

[Jeff H]

I was looking at those for my New Vaquero.

Yeah, now, I'm looking! I care more about how grips fit me than appeal to the eye, but those and the mesquite have me feeling a bit vain. They're beautiful.

@twodot , are those Texas Grips also?

Curious about the holster too.

 

[JonB]

I've never seen Mesquite finished. Interesting, it has a structure/coloration between the grains, similar to American Elm.

Sidenote: For a Minnesota boy, I have cut and split my share of Mesquite firewood. Glencoe has a large Hispanic population and most have family that live close to the Texas/Mexican border. With that info, you can probably guess how Mesquite shows up in Glencoe. I should take a photo of a neighbors handmade Brick BBQ pit, it's almost as big as the Garage it's next to. The guy gets a load of wood every once in a while, and pays me to cut/split it. I tell him Sugar Maple is better for BBQ, but I suspect that is a non-factor.

 

[twodot]

Yeah, now, I'm looking! I care more about how grips fit me than appeal to the eye, but those and the mesquite have me feeling a bit vain. They're beautiful.

@twodot , are those Texas Grips also?

Curious about the holster too.

Texas Grips & Hunter Holster
..

 

[CZ93X62]

Mesquite grip set. I like those--A LOT.

My usage of mesquite has involved meat on barbecue grills--there is no better wood than mesquite for grilling carne asada or pollo asada. With meat prices going through the roof of late, there might be a lot more carne asada at my house for the next few months. It hasn't climbed in price like the nobler beef cuts have, though it has bumped up a bit.

 

[RicinYakima]

Mesquite grip set. I like those--A LOT.

My usage of mesquite has involved meat on barbecue grills--there is no better wood than mesquite for grilling carne asada or pollo asada. With meat prices going through the roof of late, there might be a lot more carne asada at my house for the next few months. It hasn't climbed in price like the nobler beef cuts have, though it has bumped up a bit.

I'm transitioning to more pork and steelhead and away from beef at these prices.

 

[CZ93X62]

Quite understandable. I should have hunted and fished harder this year. I sure as Sheol will this coming year.

 

[Charles Graff]

There is mesquite and there is mesquite and like walnut there is variety in color and figure. Down here in Deep South Texas, it goes to be quite decent sized trees. Other places it is little more than a shrub. The trees have shorter life span than many others. The Texas Honey Mesquite makes very good grips and attractive it is has a little burl in it. It imparts a very distinctive bite to BBQ and most people cut it with some other wood. Me, I will take my mesquite smoke straight, just like my whisky.

Here is some good Texas Honey Mesquite on my Lipsey's Flattop 45. Click on thumbnail for clear pic.

 

[JonB]

Charles, those grips are sweet !

 

[Ian]

And then there's screwbean mesquite. Unfortunately it is so rare that I think it is legally protected in Texas.

For smoked barbecue or sausage, straight mesquite the whole time for me, thank you.

 

[Charles Graff]

And then there's screwbean mesquite. Unfortunately it is so rare that I think it is legally protected in Texas.

For smoked barbecue or sausage, straight mesquite the whole time for me, thank you.

The only screwbean mesquite I know of came from California, but we have just about everything in Texas. Anything that is worth having anyway. Mesquite flooring is now a thing, but most of it comes from Brazil. It is very pretty, but somewhat darker than our native variety.

More Texas Honey Mesquite grips. This time on a Nork. I have the pistol way a few years ago and the grips went with it. Anybody need some plastic Nork grips?

 

[david s]

I've not worked with mesquite myself, but if I remember correctly a number of rifle stocks have been made from it. It's supposed to be a tuff wood and a pain to checker. Sand is supposed to end up in the grain which dulls checking tools a might. Handsome handles all around in this post.