I've been casually looking at Stocks for a Rnd. butt N-Frame.
Some of the prices I'm seeing are beyond comprehension.
Keith Brown, Ropers, Fuzzy Farrant, etc. An example, S&W, N-frame diamond Target grips,$599. Fuzzy Farrant, $799.
Does anyone find these prices reasonable?
I just received a quote for Elephant ivory stocks fitted to my Colt SAA for $550. This I can see but a set of wood stocks for more than Ivory? Heck, I just bought a NIB 21-4 TR with presentation case for $650. Is it just a case of collectability or have people gone mad?

I'd find it difficult to pay that much for wood grips but I'm not sure what you're looking for.

I'm satisfied switching out to Hogue round butt wood grips on all my 6XX's. The enormous rubber originals don't fit me well. You can find them in most places like Midway for well under $100 and they have many varieties. I like the cocobolo bantams. They do cause more of a roll but I like that as I use six shooters more often.

Excellent craftsmanship is involved, etc, etc. But I'm not paying those prices! I suppose some do.

Ivory, Sambar Stag, vintage factory wood are all getting expensive but not as expensive as those mentioned in Post #1. YIKES !!

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C & L

I feel the same way about prices lately on S&W firearms. A used but decent shape model 10 for $450.00? What a bunch of ****.

If the price is too high for you, the solution is very simple. Don't buy them.

Don't worry. I won't. Just an observation on how insane prices are for some stocks.

I think this is all fallout from the Colt Snake Gun MADNESS!!!!! Pythons and Anacondas are selling for prices the average guy CANNOT afford. Pre Lock S&W revolvers are NEXT!! Buy them while you can! They are not making any more of them. I know they are not as rare as the Colt Snakes, but just look what the prices have done in the last year. And GRIPS, especially limited production ones, like the round butt combats, will skyrocket in price just the same as the Pre Locks.

Warren is right on the money! No one is forcing anyone to buy custom stocks. I agree that prices are rapidly rising, but that is only because people are willing to pay. In the case of Farrant stocks, Fuzzy has passed and there will be NO More! I first bought them years ago to custom fit my hand and control a Model 19 while firing full power 357's and in truth, for me, nothing else works as well. I have what I need and see no reason to buy more, but that should not stop someone else from paying what they value them at. If you think they are priced to high, just don't buy. Complaining about the price does nothing!

Not complaining. Just observing and commenting on the insanity.

Just old fashioned Capitalism at work, and people trying to get what they might from someone that doesn't know any better or doesn't give a hoot (lottery winner)... More money than brains or experience.

I had a good laugh when I saw the flea bay listings for the Farrant's.

The line is in the water... someone out there will want them bad enough to bite, that's what the sellers are hoping for and probably not in any rush or have a pressing need to make a sale. Just like what we've seen on GB with people paying obscene amounts for some guns that makes people go, WHAT!!

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Try Culina Grips. They're priced higher than mass-produced items, but the value is on par with the price, unlike the old S&W grips that are priced based on availability (and collectibility). Hogue, Eagle, Ahrends, and Spegel are more options.

Altamonts and Herrets also offer N Round to SB conversion
stocks with S&W medallions for around $65.

I just ordered wood grips from Ahrends, so I don't have to look at cheap black rubber on my new (pricey) S&W 617. They will convert the rounded butt to a good old fashioned "square" one. Yes, I'm a "old fart" 74 year-old who likes his guns looking like works of art.
Ahrends charges $70.,plus $20. extra for the optional special oiled finish, plus $7. shipping. I think it takes about 3 weeks to make it in your choice of wood. They do not do S&W medallions.

I bought "custom" grips from some of the popular makers on two occasions. Both times, I was disappointed in the wood figure and sold them to others. I only buy non-OEM grips for fancy wood but a lot of the firms that are popular with members of this forum don't offer you the opportunity to pick the blank from which your grips will be made.

I now buy only original S&W checkered target stocks for my S&W revolvers, all but a few of which have square butts (I still don't get the round butt only thing). Yes, I pay more for really nice ones than those aftermarket grips cost but I have something that fits the gun, looks great and is no longer made so it will appreciate in value unlike something that can always be purchased.

For the three round-butt guns I own, I make do with an attractive round-to-square conversion on one, the factory MonoGrip on the one that I use for hunting and a nice set of Combats on the third, a 2-1/2" Model 66.

Ed

Some hopeful seller listing an item for 3X it's worth isn't exactly the current market value. When the item SELLS then talk to me about the market.

I hear you Stan-just looking on ebay at the used grips is an eyebrow elevator for me.

Try and keep track of just how long those overpriced grips sit on ebay, not very many "knowledgeable" shooters are buying them, but a few that don't care about what they spend don't even look at prices.

I happen to be very happy with Altamont stocks for anything that requires changing.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If you want to purchase a pair of Ahrends go onto ebay to view (gripsellers) inventory, All stocks are urethane finished and Terri painstakingly photographs each pair so there will be no question as to what color and grain figuration you will be receiving. Also she is a great gal to work with.

I am with you. I have several Ahrends grips on my Smiths and paid about $80 each. Actually, I don't mind rubber grips, just wanted some of my guns to be different.

Ropers and Farrants tend to be pricey and they're usually worth the asking prices but Keith Brown's work is in a different class and his grips are definitely worth every penny they can bring, and probably more. Brown's grips are the best made...ever. We're talking about a man who takes designs from renowned makers such as Roper, Kearsarge, etc. and actually improves upon them, using finer woods than the originals and employing superior checkering, fit and resulting in as close to perfection as one can get regarding overall appearance. They are the pinnacle of handgun stocks.

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SWHF #448

The main thing is what works for you! About 10 years ago I bought a 34-1 for a song with original grips and box. Additionally on the gun were these nice looking "custom" grips. They felt great and I shot very well with them. I also trained many others with that same firearm. Everybody said the grips were GREAT. I wanted more of those grips for some of my k and n frames. After a little research I found out they were Fuzzy Farrants worth more than I paid for the 34-1. I keep searching for more, everywhere I can. To date I have acquired a great set for my n frame 57. I also have a great set for my k frame 18-1. Heck I found 3 sets for a I frame colt at a great price so I bought them - I don't even own a I frame Colt, although I am actively looking. Bear paw hands with relatively short fingers...Farrants were made for me

I was with you right up to the point where you suggest he uses better wood than Kearsarge. Its my guess that you've never seen and handled originals from that maker. I consider Keith to be a friend and I've followed his work from the beginning. I do agree his wood selection is better than Roper, but Kearsarge is in a class by itself. Lets not go overboard and try to degrade the originals by classing them with Ropers.

Others here suggest buying original S&W or Ahrends. Often those were produced using old scrap pallets. This thread covers a lot of ground and I'm not sure all of it is based on reality. So back to the OP and his including ivory in the discussion. Last I heard the government wanted to burn all our ivory and items screwed or glued to it. Purchasing ivory items carries significant risk these days. You may own something with absolutely no value. Its a beautiful substance, but is now so politically incorrect it makes a bad comparison.

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Dick Burg

Dick, I didn't mean to imply that Kearsarge wood doesn't stand up but the fact of the matter is that in this day and age of the internet, global sourcing and countless suppliers, Keith has available to him woods the old masters could only dream of.

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SWHF #448

Maybe I have a different view of what I'm looking for in a set of revolver stocks, but I've been happy with my Altamonts...

These were around $65-70 each and they fit the gun well with tight seams. They didn't need any adjustments out of the box, however I'm a tinkerer so I end up "tweaking" an angle here or a corner there. I don't think I could do that with a high $$$ set like you mentioned.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

My first goal is to have the stocks/grips in question fit both the gun and my hand. I've had good results with a current custom maker who hasn't been mentioned yet, the Schofieldkid81. His reputation and "library" have been growing quietly and at last report was neither expensive nor that long to get. I have an early set of his made on the pattern of an old PLASTIC Franzite grip design that had a good feel in spite of the lousy material... he used some nice wood to make them a real cut above.

A big name in custom stocks that has not been mentioned is a personal acquaintance of mine, Roy Fishpaw. His work should require no introduction since it has been displayed in many places including the cover of "American Handgunner" and other such prominent locations. He has a long wait list and his prices aren't cheap by any means, but his work is top drawer.

Surprisingly, I have had semi-good luck on flea-Bay with the various stocks from Thailand(!) They don't come in as nice as any of the custom makers, but they are acceptable for carry guns, even if they require a little work when you get them. JMHO, YMMV!

Froggie

Last I looked some Spegel grips could be had for as little as $60........ several years ago he made me some "working" grips from a black walnut..... that IIRC came from his yard!... back then about $50

Depending on wood the sky's the limit!!!!!

Where has he been lately? His profile shows he hasn't visited this forum for over a year.

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SWHF #448

I bought one set of Thailand stocks and really, for the money, they are pretty decent. The faux S&W medallions are a hair larger than the genuine article but I'm sure that copyright laws dictated that.



I've had them about a year and they haven't warped, shrunk or done anything else negative. They fit well enough and are comfortable enough - especially for something on the order of $45 shipped!

I bought them strictly because their coloring was unique and I had been looking for a set of S&W checkered target stocks in like-new condition with dual speedloader cutouts to clear the side plate embellishment and attractive wood figure. I have since found such a set, so the Thailand stocks aren't on any gun right now.

Ed

Mr Spegel's work is great (I have a set on my Browning Hi-Power) but the only issue with him is the lead time. As I understand it, he makes grips in batches, so if you miss the window where he's producing the grips you specifically want you may have to wait. I have to give him a call and see if he ever got around to making K-frame boot grips, since I was on his waiting list for them.

Check out the offerings of grip maker Kim Ahrend !
ahrendsgripsusa.com He will craft custom made grips , your choice of exotic wood for a very reasonable price. He knows how they should fit your hand too.
His Retro Combats in dark red and black cocobolo are on the model 58 in my avatar, have a matching set on a model 64 . Love em !
Gary

Unfortunately, Cocobolo is no longer available thanks to the "tree huggers". Now, instead of people being able to enjoy its beauty, the trees sit in a rain forest unseen.

hint....if the price is too high....walk on by.....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

...I sent him my wood and requests and he returned
these a few weeks later. I requested unfinished so I
could make some personal mods and then apply my
preferred finish. A set cost me $87 delivered to my door.
I am well pleased.

The first are pure stock profile from my Ziricote...
a sister wood to the Cordia he normally uses...





The next 2 sets were made from the same 6x6"
block of Claro Walnut.

I have fat fingers so I modified the fingergrooves
for a comfortable fit ... wider and more rounded
...before finishing them.



Finger-grooved grips are usually referred to as
"combat" style while smooth are "target" style.
That's bass-ackwards to me. I want combat grips
to leap into my hand with perfect orientation and
no need to re-adjust the grip. Even my custom-fit
grooves don't do that as well as a properly
shaped smooth grip.

With apologies to Kim, I modified his signature
"swoosh" at the top and squared off the bottom,
just because I could.



Did I mention how pleased I am with Ahrends' grips?

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Carry.."hope" isn't a strategy

Some of us don't mind the cost or the wait times--to have the best!
Keith Brown:








(I have more, too!!!)

I got my first pair of grips from Keith. I am very happy with the looks and profile on these. They fit my hand great and are a joy to shoot with. Kept it simple first time around. They set the nickle off well.

He makes grips in many other exotic woods , not just cocobolo.
When one gets put on the endangered list , he finds others.
I originally wanted Brazilian Rosewood...on the list, cocobolo was available then. If you want an exotic wood , don't wait , get it right now , tomorrow it might be "on the List ".
Gary

When Cocobolo got added to the CITES list, it immediately became difficult to find but I guess now that everyone has figured out what it means to have a species of wood added to "the list" and the additional export & import paperwork and any restrictions, its trickling back onto the market.

Ouch! I bought a set of cocobolo Spegel boot grips from Novak's because they had the Centennial model in stock, even though they cost, IIRC, $130-140. In fact, I ordered them the same day I ordered my 642 (this was in 2011). I have yet to actually try my 642 with any other grips.

I'm looking forward to the oiled Bubinga wood grips I ordered 2 weeks ago.

I have a couple sets of Ahrens. They are on my 19-8 4" and my 66-3. The 19-4 snub is wearing...? The 642 is stock grips.