Ivory grips on M83?

[Wiking]

I'm, in a very distant future, thinking of acquiring ivory grips for my M83. How fragile are they anyway? Will they be able to handle hard loads? Keep in mind, mine's only a .357. Does anyone have experience with ivory on a Freedom Arms?

[Golfswithwolves]

I'm not an expert on this, but I've heard of lots of revolvers of .357 caliber with ivory grips. Lots of .44 Magnums too. I would bet you'd have no problems with these grips on your .357, but talking to the grip maker you choose would be wise.

[Bob Baker]

I have no personal experience with ivory grips other than I fit a few to different guns years ago.  From what I understand though, experiences vary on how the grips stand up to heavy recoil.  My guess is that the quality/density of the ivory determines how well they hold up.  Lets face it, I doubt the elephants give it much thought as to how well they take care of their tusks so the ivory will make a good pair of grips.  With that said though, I can’t feature you will have a problem with recoil cracking or breaking them on a .357.  The biggest problem will be them cracking with age.  The best way to handle that is make sure you keep them rubbed down with baby lotion.

[stevejr454]

Wiking,

I have a set of factory Freedom Arms grips on one of my M83 454's.

I have fired a lot of full house loads with the ivory grips. I think like with most grips on a Freedom Arms revolver it is very important to keep the screw snug on the grips.

Thank you very much for the info on what type of oil to put on the grips Mr. Bob Baker

Stevejr454

[Wiking]

Okay I see.....

I'm considering mammoth ivory, as far as I know that's pretty tough, the tusks are a lot thicker.

Steve: would you mind posting a few pictures? Have never seen a FA with ivory grips!!

[stevejr454]

Wiking here are a few pictures of the Freedom Arms M83 with the factory ivory scrimshawed grips

This is a picture in its factory hard wood case with accessories.



Here is a picture of the right grip



Here is the picture of the left grip.



Hope the images turn out okay, stevejr454

[Wiking]

Wooooow, that looks awesome dude!!

I assume they're stock cause yours is a limited edition.

[Ken ONeill]

Steve,
I'm no FA novice, but every time I see those grips and that gun, I get excited ! Thanks for posting the photos again.
Ken

[stevejr454]

Wiking, yes the grips were installed, and scrimshawed at the factory.

Mr. ONeill, thank you very much, I never get tiered of showing it off.

Steve

[texbestshooter]

Ivory might be a problem on a 454, but probably is OK on a 357.  I broke 2 sets of regular factory grips on my 454. You cannot rest the butt on sandbags or in a gun rest when shooting the big ones with very strong loads. It was a Premier and they replaced them for free and replaced the forcing cone when it wore out and a couple of broken screws. AJ

[stevejr454]

texbestshooter, I have also had a pair of Premier grade grips break under a 454's recoil. It was however my fault, as the grip screw was not checked for tightness before continuing to fire LBT 360 grain bullets. The grips chipped off through the grip frame stud.

I have also had one scope mount screw break off. It was on an old style Freedom Arms scope mount, the left side adjusting screw broke off. Same thing I had not checked for proper tightness before shooting.

I'm not saying that loose grip screws, and gun/scope screws being loose is always the cause of broken screws, but it has played a key issue in my Freedom Arms 83 shooting experience's.

Stevejr454