I have a Ruger Stainless Steel Bisley in 45 Colt. I am thinking about buying some micarta (or something like it) grips for it. I plan to hunt black bear in SE Alaska next May and will be packing my revolver as well as my rifle. I am concerned that the factory wood grips on my revolver might swell up if they get too wet from all the rain that area is supposed to get. So I thought perhaps I should have some grips made that were impervious to changes in moisture. I have some hippo ivory that I eventually hope to have made into some grips (not sure if there is enough useable material) but for now I thought I might just buy some off the shelf micarta grips.

So to my questions: Can I just buy some off the shelf grips and expect them to fit my Bisley grip frame well? I guess the real question is, are the grip frames on various Bisleys close enough dimensionally that premade grips will fit well? If so and I do not really need to have the grips custom fitted to my grip frame then what material would best meet my needs other than real ivory? Finally who would you recommend as a supplier of such grips? Thanks, Rufous.

Rufous,

I have the ebony micartas on my Freedom Arms revolvers. Living down in the "sunny" south, land of 100% humidity, I can tell you that micarta does swell some. The grip panels fit my grips perfectly when I first got each revolver, but each has swollen just enough to feel a small ridge. In the situation you described, this should still be worlds away better than wood. The micarta is a more durable material than wood as well.

There is enough difference in the Bisley grips that premade grip panels will most likely need some fitting. I have a blued Bisley and went through three pairs of the ivory polymer panels to determine which pair fit the closest. Then I had to do some fitting of the panels to the grip. Not perfect, but I didn't pay $300 for the set-up either.

After having beaten numerous wooden grips into submission, I have begun to go to the polymer grip panels offered by Ajax of Dallas. Even the uncheckered ones offer good grip even when damp and have held up very well to abuse that shatters plastic, swells micarta and destroys wood. They are reasonable ($35-45) and easily fitted. They are quickly becoming the preferred panels for any type single action.