Real Ivory

My experience with ivory has only been with Colt Saa's that have been with a 2pc. glue up that makes them a 1pc. unit that requires no screw holes or registrtion locator holes and calibers from 357 to 45. Never have I encountered a problem with it. Elmer Keith used ivory on many of his hard kicking guns and I have never read anything negative written by him on it. I have seen many polymer grips bust at the screw holes and registration locators including Tru Ivory. I own 28 handguns right now and while some dont have grips that are interchangable I cant afford to put ivory on all the guns that will nor would I put it on a gun that cost less than what the ivory grips for it would cost. You can usally find a decent set of ivory bonded poymer grips for $60.00 so your not out alot if they do break and need replaced. I've had one set of Corian grips break on a lite weight 44mag at the screw holes. It helps to use a brass tube spacer beween the panels for the screw to pass though if you have room.
 
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Bill is right that ivory doesn't have to be brittle.
If you're looking for a lower price alternative, I'd go with bone instead of a synthetic.
 
I remeber my grandfather had a nice pair of pre-ban 1911 grips with an inlaid gold Colt meddallion. It was a .45, so I guess it can be considered a "heavy" caliber. They stayed pretty nice, just some wear near the magazine release.
 
I have a set of Genuine Ivory on my S&W 39-2 pistol. Thery feel warm. They can scratch easily and oil turns them dark in spots. Everyone needs at least on firearm with real Ivory grips if you can afford it.
 
As I was making my way through the thread for a long ways it struck me no one had mentioned Tru Ivory (but probably alluded to as quality faux ivory)--then finally someone did. Only way to go IMO for look and feel--of the products touted as "___ivory." Quality stuff--not "just plastict.". I've been mostly in the $50-150 zone as well so have not dabbled in, but will at some point. It's what USFA uses (as an option) on its SAAs, good enough for me.

Re the American Holly someone mentioned. Yes, does or can look nicely like mildly antiqued ivory, but feels different. Very good, just different. Also strongly consider micarta. A few quality gents like Carl "Private" Schultz www.privatescustomgrips.com and Cary Chapman www.clccustomgrips.com would be happy to make a set of either Holly or paper micarta for you.
 
Bone is a nice alternative to ivory. And cheaper.

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