New grips for Ol' Slabsides.

[Trooper224]

Recently, I shared an old Army issue 1911 I'd acquired. I immediately put the original grips away, since they're rather fragile. Since then, I've been looking for the right grips to serve as substitutes. I went through several I already had, as well as a new set from Wood Caliber. None of them looked right. Wrong color, incorrect design elements, or simply just too nice.

I happened to notice Tisas sells grips on their website, in both light and dark walnut. I decided I couldn't lose at $20 and ordered a pair of the dark walnut. I applied a coat of stain (since Tisas kindly doesn't put any finish on them) to give them just the right reddish tint, that vintage US military wood always has and bam, perfect.

[Darth_Uno]

Can’t beat the ol’ double diamonds. Very nice.

[TOTS]

Beautiful, man! I really want one for a build.

[Trooper224]

Beautiful, man! I really want one for a build.

Thanks, but this is not the kind of gun you use for a build, for several reason's.

[JRV]

Beautiful, man! I really want one for a build.

That’s a U.S. issued M1911, pre-A1. No kidney cut behind the trigger, a long trigger shoe, and a flat mainspring housing. That’s about as far from a “build-gun” donor frame as you want to go. Even ignoring history or collector’s value based on condition and scarcity, the frame is not heat treated. Likely the slide isn’t either, depending on year (there may have been spot-heat-treating on slides during the interwar period, I cannot remember).

[Trooper224]

That’s a U.S. issued M1911, pre-A1. No kidney cut behind the trigger, a long trigger shoe, and a flat mainspring housing. That’s about as far from a “build-gun” donor frame as you want to go. Even ignoring history or collector’s value based on condition and scarcity, the frame is not heat treated. Likely the slide isn’t either, depending on year (there may have been spot-heat-treating on slides during the interwar period, I cannot remember).

Spot treating didn't start until WWII. That's why I've only shot it once and probably never will again. Other than finish wear, it's all original, as it came from the factory in early 1917. No repair or overhaul, ever. I'd hate to break something and have that compromised.

[MattyD380]

Beautiful. Classic. Quintessential. The grips look perfect on it.

My father in law has a series 80 government that I’ve been messing with. Nothing nearly on this level of collectibility, obviously… but… I’m really appreciating the classic Colt 1911 pattern.

In other words…

I needs me one.

[Trooper224]

Beautiful. Classic. Quintessential. The grips look perfect on it.

My father in law has a series 80 government that I’ve been messing with. Nothing nearly on this level of collectibility, obviously… but… I’m really appreciating the classic Colt 1911 pattern.

In other words…

I needs me one.

Thanks. I had to sell a couple of nice old S&Ws to finance it. But, for me this is about as grail as it gets.

[jh9]

Beautiful, man! I really want one for a build.

Somebody was doing faux retro-modern on the Black Army reissues Colt made several years ago. I don't remember who, but IIRC they nailed the vibe. Don't see any on gunbroker now.

The original here looks amazing. I think OP might be worried about what the spirit of JMB would do if he started cutting and welding on it.