Custom made pistol grips ???

[creekbear]

A friend and I are discussing starting a side business of making custom wood pistol grips. We are planning on starting with 1911 grips and moving into Ruger wheel gun grips and more. We have sources for more of your most popular local hardwoods, and also for many exotic woods from around the world.  These will be hand made, and finished in several different finishes from hand oiled to lacquered, stained or natural.

We work on Towboats on the Mississippi river for a living and have extra time on our hands at work, and lots of extra time when we are not on the boats. We are both very into shooting and outdoor activities, so this naturally carries over into our plans. Our plan is to make a very sensibly priced and quality product which the working man can afford that will enhance the looks of your favorite guns. Turn around times will depend on availability of the wood chosen and work schedules.

What we are looking for here is some insight into how realistic would it be for us to get involved in this project. Would there be enough demand for a custom made high quality product to warrant buying dremel tools, saws, checkering tools, and such.


Preliminary prices will range from around 40 dollars for local Southern United States Hardwoods, to 90 dollars or so for exotic woods from overseas depending on availability.

We also are planning on custom laminate work in the future as demand warrants.

Depending on the feedback on this topic we are planning to build a few sets of 1911 and Ruger wheel gun grips to send out to a few members of this forum for review.

Any input you can give on this topic (positive or negative) would be highly appreciated.

                                                                                                                          creekbear   
 
   
 

[BlkHawk73]

  If you go into it as more of a hobby or spare time job, I think it'll work great for you.  While not a 1911 person (I know, I know) I do know there's a LOT of aftermarket grips for them available.  As for Rugers, now that Lett is closed, there's basically only two making really nice grips for them  CaryC and Klamath River.  There's a few smaller scale folks too.  Having played the Ruger game for quite a while, I can say a nice set of grips can really enhance the overall appearance of the gun.  I know many, myself included prefer the grips to have the Ruger medallains in them so as to appear for "factory".   I've bought a few and now that I have settled nicely on my Ruger needs, I'm going after grips for them.  I'd be most interested in seeing what you can bring to the market.  Look and see what they offer and try to offer different materials.  That's my biggest reason I go with Klamth River - personally I like the odd woods.  They offer a more varied selection of woods/materials.  I don't believe anyone is currently offering any non-standard (besides brown & black) laminates though that Lett is OoB.  I know spalted woods are becoming popular now. 
  Keep in mind that the grip frame have a fair number of variations and that there's some slight variations even between the steel/amunimum ones and the stainless equivilant model.
  If this takes off for you, I'd be more than happy to spread the word amonst the Ruger communities.

[Flash]

In my personal opinion, I think it will take off like wild fire. The wooden Ruger revolver grips are becoming a thing of the past and even though there are a few good grip makers, there's always room for a few more. I would personally like to evaluate your grips for fit and finish on my Rugers and I'm sure that a waiting line for same would quickly form. GO FOR IT! The firearm industry is literally crying for thinkers like you and your friend.