Hey no need to appologize about the caliber, its your choice, and particularly if you already have dies, etc. The grips are the one thing I don't care for on the blackhawk/vaquero. You can buy some very nice replacement grips out there for not a ton of money. I still wish I had bought the checkered wood instead of the smooth. Oh well maybe someday.

GoodOlBoy

Mr. 16 Gauge, will redwood be a little soft for grips. Had a house some years ago that was redwood sided and it is in the conifer family as I remember. Anyway just wondering if it will hold up as handgun grips?

I've seen quite a few sets of grips made from rosewood. Can't recall any made from redwood.

You're right Jack..Never seen Redwood but have seen some made of Cedar..like cedar chest wood. I did make a set of grips for my old Ruger Flattop years ago out of birdseye maple floor. Turned out ok. One panel cracked right in half one day. Maybe a bit too thin at the screw..LOL

Popplecop, Jack, & skeet;
Found a shop near Eureka were a guy crafted all sorts of items (boxes, furniture, ect) out of redwood. I bought a few scraps from him for $3, so I don't have a big cash investment in this.....just thought the wood would look more 'classic' than the rubberized factory grips that are on it now. He did say that the wood does tend to have a high moisture content, and needs to be dried thoroughly before using it. As for 'soft wood' & holding up.....I put a big gouge in the stock of my trade musket today while changing a flint, and it's supposedly walnut; the screwdriver slipped and put a big gash in the wood!:mad: Needless to say, I was PI$$ed!....moreso with myself than anything. At any rate, only time will tell if they (the grips) will hold up.

....and for the record, I took the gun out today for its maiden voyage, and couldn't hit squat with it! Time to go back to the reloading bench!:rolleyes:

Well at least you are useing a ML with the proper lock! Redwood can be grooved with a fingernail, so it is soft. Best of luck in your endevor.

Mr. 16 Gauge, nothing wrong with trying redwood- it might be very attractive.
One thing you could do, if durability is a worry- use a hard epoxy finish on the wood, rather than something like oil that soaks in. The original Acra Glas that came with the flocking separate was the consistency of water when mixed, and was often used as a high gloss stock finish- and that stuff is tough! If you don't want a high gloss finish, a little rubbing with rottenstone and oil will knock the high gloss off it.