11 Custom Grips For The Single-Action Six-Shooter

Revolvers back in the Old West reflected their owners’ personalities as much as they do today. Ivory, pearl and jigged grips are natural enhancements to any six-shooter. Most of these custom aftermarket grips require some hand fitting since there are slight differences in Colt SAA grip frames as well as differences in grip frames for Ruger single-action revolvers. The fitting required is minimal at most depending on the material. Here are 11 options to ponder when you want to gussy up your old shootin’ iron.

Buffalo Brothers Finger Grooved Grips

Buffalo Brothers Finger Grooved Grips

Got a Ruger Vaquero in need of some faux ivory? Buffalo Brothers makes faux ivory in a variety of colors that match aged ivory—from Old Ivory Antique to White Ivory. Finger Grooved grips feature either a left or right panel with three finger grooves molded in for a better grip. They’re available in Streaked, Antiqued, Heavy Antique or Plain finishes over an OId Ivory, White, Ivory or Black color. For more information, call 480-986-7858 or visit buffalobrothers.net.

Ajax Buffalo Polymer Grips

Ajax Pearlite Grips

The Pearlite grips from Ajax are made to look like genuine mother of pearl with a deep black or white color and a light natural grain. The high-polish luster will give your Ruger Vaquero single action or Colt SAA a custom look. Because it is polymer, it is rugged and will stand up to hard use. These grips will need some slight fitting. Brass screw ferrules come preinstalled in the grip panels. For more information, visit ajaxgrips.com.

C&C Global SAA Pearl Grips

C&C Global SAA Pearl Grips
C&C Global makes grips for both second- and third-generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers. The simulated pearl grips are made of a durable plastic polymer for long use. These two-piece sets include brass screw ferrules and are available with or without the inset gold Colt medallion. Some minor fitting maybe required, since SAA grips are all slightly different. For more information, visit grips4guns.com
or call 858-997-5138.

Altamont Aged Ivory Grips

Altamont Aged Ivory Grips
Altamont makes factory grips for some of the best-known pistol and knife manufacturers. The company makes Aged Ivory grips for Ruger’s single-action New Vaquero. These grips are machined to look like aged ivory with striated age lines. Lone Star medallions are inset into each grip panel. Even though these are new grips, they have a vintage look. For more information, visit altamontco.com or call 800-626-5774.

Classic Single Action Real Ivory Grips

Classic Single Action Real Ivory Grips
Ivory has to be worked slowly so it won’t warp or crack later, says Joe Perkins, the owner of Classic Single Action. It takes more than a month to work ivory grips. Ivory can never get hotter than 135 degrees when being shaped. This requires about 12 to 15 hours of work over a period of at least 30 days. Perkins crafts pre-ban ivory grips to within 0.005 inches so that they fit the revolver perfectly. For more information, call 520-888-6799 or visit classicsingleaction.com.

Heritage Manufacturing Eagle Grips

Heritage Manufacturing Eagle Grips
Gussy up your Heritage Arms Big Bore Rough Rider SAA or Small Bore Rough Rider SAA revolver with these polymer grips made to resemble ivory. A fighting eagle is engraved on both the left- and right-side panels. The grips come complete with brass screw ferrules and screws for easy installation. For more information, visit shopheritagemfg.com or call 305-685-5966.

Ruger Smooth Bonded Ivory Grips

Ruger Smooth Bonded Ivory Grips
These smooth, bonded ivory grips fit Ruger’s single-action New Vaquero and 50th Anniversary Blackhawk revolvers. No fitting is necessary. Just remove the standard factory grips and install these bonded ivory grips. The grips include the Ruger logo and come with a black screw so installation is fast, letting you get back to your fast draw. For more information, visit ruger.com.

Hogue Black Pearl Grips

Hogue Black Pearl Grips
Hogue’s black pearl grip panels have a distinct look, especially when installed on a bright stainless steel revolver like the Ruger New Vaquero. The grips also fit Ruger’s Blackhawk revolvers. The left and right panel come with brass screw ferrules installed. For more information, visit hogueinc.com or call 800-438-4747.

Tombstone Gun Grip Kits

Tombstone Gun Grip Kits
Tombstone makes generic and 90-percent finished grips out of a tough epoxy resin and can match just about any color. So if you want those B-Western jigged-style grips, the company has a kit so that you can hand-fit the grips exactly to your revolver’s frame. The 90-percent-finished kit includes three pieces: the left and right grip panels and the center spacer so you can create a one-piece grip on your Colt or clone SAA. For more information, visit tombstonegrips.com.

NC Ordnance Classic Ivory Like Grips

NC Ordnance Classic Ivory-Like Grips
NC Ordnance is an official grip-maker licensed by Colt because of the company’s exceptional quality. The Classic Ivory-Like Grips feature a relief-sculpted eagle clutching an American flag on both the left and right panels. The ivory-like grips have a slight aged look. This two-piece grip set is molded from polyurethane and includes the brass mounting screw, nut and escutcheon. All grips need to be hand fitted, as they are made slightly oversized and will fit Colt first-generation SAAs. For more information, visit gungrip.com or call 252-237-2440.

Vintage Gun Grips

Vintage Gun Grips
The ivory-like grips from Vintage Gun Grips feature a Colt-style eagle with a shield and the rampant Colt logo in relief. The rest of the grip wears a checkered texture. Made from hard urethane plastic, these grips fit later-manufactured second- and all third- and fourth-generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers. Some minor fitting may be necessary. For more information, call 619-232-2066 or visit vintagegungrips.net.