Does anyone have any comments on the Thai made grips that are flooded on ebay? They look decent and wood is wood is wood. I got a pair from ebay not long ago and they say they are "Made in the US" but they look a lot like what I am seeing on ebay for $30.00 less.

Sometimes the Thai grips are made from pretty exotic wood. I've heard good things about their quality, with an occasional grumble about the need to trim them a little. If they can carve out a set of grips that look and feel like old factory diamond, football, targets, I wouldn't hesitate to send them my money.

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Why, I aughta.....

I've got a set and they fit fine and look good. As mentioned though, I've heard some problems too.

Its a toss up because theres no real standardized QC. I've gotten grips that I'd probably have to pay double to get anywhere else.. but on more than 1 occasion, I've gotten grips where they didn't even properly fit. The worst was probably one I got for a CZ a while back. Couldn't even actuate all the controls with the grips on (the grips prevented the controls from moving at all). Lead me to believe that sometimes they base these grips off of non-working guns.. so they can't even test how it'd operate in normal circumstances. Maybe they just fit em on some really good replicas.

I just wish there was a way I could physically inspect them before purchase.

I put a set on my m-317 for a larger grip and looks and fit are excellent . I'd buy another .

I bought a pair of the $47 grips for a k-frame. Fit and quality are fine.

Thanks for the replies. That is pretty much what I expected to hear.

That's odd. I bought a set of checkered grips for my CZ 75b that fit like a glove. Darned good looking grips, too. Go figure.

yea, its just a roll of the dice unless you find a seller/maker that has good consistency. As mentioned in my post.. I've definitely gotten grips that would have cost double of what I paid for anywhere else.

I've bought two sets and have been pleased with both of them, really spruced up the gun. What is good is that they post good pictures of the actual grips that you will be buying. I download the pics and blow them up in my photo editing program, you can see every flaw and decide from there. Can't beat the price. Shipping takes long though about 2 to 3 weeks, but they are upfront about that.
J frame round butt

J frame square butt

Put some balsa wood on your revolver and compare it to a Cocobolo grip.

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I'm with the banned ...

I've bought a couple of pairs in the past. One for a J frame. One for a K. Exterior fit and finish was generally Very good. Inside cuts tended to be a little sloppier. If you notice, they mostly make grips that hide the grip frame. This hides the interior fit but also makes for a grip that tends to be oversized and somewhat "clubby" feeling /looking IMHO. If I only have $50 to spend these days, I go with ( made in the USA) Altimont's.
Still have the J frame gris but will sell them off soon.

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Dave

I have at least 4 sets and I think they're great! They look good and fit well in my experience, but the wait is so long I've wondered if they'd been set afloat on a raft! Not sure the rules about posting links, but you can look for these by searching Grand Blue.

I bought a set and they were fantastic. Fit and finish were perfect. The only complaint was the length of time to get them here.

Liked them so much I bought a second set. Likewise the fit and finish were perfect.

A week later I took the gun out of the safe to shoot it and to my surprise they had warped. Not quite like a banana, but there was a very noticable space between them. Took them off and they didn't mate any more.

Sent an e-mail and the company apologized and got me a new set in the mail post haste. Three weeks later they arrived and this time the fit wasn't quite perfect - very slight warpage at the get go. By a week they were a banana.

I complained again and this time they credited my PayPal account. Didn't want a return.

So now I got 2 sets of bananas hanging around. At least I got 2 free screws. All 3 grips were rosewood. Can't complain about the service and follow-up, but from now on I'll stick to USA made.

(Because they were so gracious, I won't post their name. However, if you read the whole thread you'll probably figure it out)

For me, this seems a fairly simple 'buy American' product.

Perhaps it's just me.

I have a set and they look good to me. Mine arrived within 10-14 days, a few days earlier than I expected.

I bought a couple sets for a K frame square butt the last time I was in Bangkok. Upon arriving home and trying them, the fit was perfect. The Thais like guns and there are not only some decent gun shops in BKK you can find the same grips with street vendors (where I bought mine). So from my experience I recommend these whether you purchase a set on Ebay or better yet in person. It's a lovely country.

Us made grips for us made guns.

Tried a K-Frame set on my Model 18.
The fit and finish were fine and the wood was flat gorgeous.
In hand, however, the grip was long and thin feeling which I don't care for.
Shortly thereafter I discovered Ahrends and these were quickly sold off.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Have looked at several on 'bay. - Thing is, I really like S&W escutcheons/medallions, and the way some of the Thai companies do them is kinda strange. On some of their offerings, ONE of the pair of grip panels has an medallion, the other one, none.

And generally, the counterfeit Smith grip medallions look like they may have come from a gumball machine. Look like sliver-colored plastic to me.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

I must admit that I'm a snob when it comes to gun grips. When I buy a used revolver that has anything less than factory grips on it, I immediately remove them and buy a set of correct wooden factory grips. That said, I would never buy a set of grips made in Thailand. There are plenty of American companies that are producing quality grips at competitive prices. Check out Altamont....their grips are in the $40-$60 price range and can be ordered with or without medallions.

I have them on the wife's Taurus and my 27-2 and fit and finish is impeccable,no sanding,Dremeling, or refinishing required, even the S&W medallion is crisp,well struck and very authentic.I just ordered a set for my CZ75b. Price was attractive also. Yes there has been complaints but quite frankly I've read complaints on American grip manufactures on this very Forum also so Cest la Vie.

I usually agree with the idea of "Buy American" and at least we still produce firearms in this country. But if I see a product that I like I will buy it no matter where it's made. One of my diehard "Buy American" friends who says he only buys US made firearms shot my M&P22 a few months ago. He now owns one.
It is a shame we have deindustrialized the US over the decades, but like it or not we have a global economy now. I'm an old guy who still remembers when TVs were still made here.
Duppie, those are beautiful grips.

I've bought 2 sets and one required a light scraping inside to fit "snug" as they fit too tight when they arrived. Both are cocobolo and absolutely gorgeous, a little thin but they fit my hand perfectly - much like the old diamond magnas. The other set had a very slight warp which I sanded flat again and it too fits perfectly on the grip frame.
When I was in Thailand it was hot and very humid which is why some may warp slightly when sent to the US. Thailand is a beautiful country, if I get the opportunity to go back I'd be on the next plane.

I spend a little time in Bangkok.

I've purchased a dozen or so pair from the various dealers on ebay. I was happy with the wood. The fit is hit or miss, about three or four of the dozen didn't fit well. The hardware on most of them is very soft brass (?) so be careful not to mess up the screw.

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Centennial Every Day

I like Ahrends grips for my S&W revolvers...but I love visiting Thailand!

It may have already been mentioned; but I seem to recall there being other threads about these grips.

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But then, what do I know?

Bangkok is a world class city now and everytime I travel there I run into more and more expats. From some of the best beaches in the world to the "SkyBar" at state towers (shown twice in the Hangover II), fantastic golf courses and interesting shooting ranges. The women aren't bad either, those who have been there know what I'm talking about.
The grips we're talking about usually come from the Chaing Mai region which is noted for wood working in exotic woods. I once brought a set of factory K frame combats with me and had them duplicated in a beautiful wood that I can't pronounce. Average price there is $15/20.

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