FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How do I know which model pistol I have?
  2. How do I know if these grips will fit my 1911?
  3. Will these grips fit my Smith and Wesson revolver?
  4. I found a pair of Smith and Wesson grips I like but it was made for the N frame and I own the smaller K frame. Can the grips be converted to fit my frame?
  5. I found a pair of Smith and Wesson grips I like but it is a square butt and I own a round butt frame. Can the grips be converted to fit my frame?
  6. How can I tell whether I own a New model or an Old model Ruger Vaquero?
  7. What is the difference between a Blackhawk and a Vaquero?
  8. What is the correct way to mount a grip?
  9. Is it legal to have these exotic materials on my pistol?
  10. Does Exotic Pistol Grips charge for shipping?

Q: How do I know which model pistol I have?

A: Over time, manufacturers make small changes to the frame of their guns making it very difficult to know what fits what. Visit the website of the maker of your pistol to find out which model you have. Additionally, community forums can contain a great deal of information on the differences between models.


Q: How do I know if these grips will fit my 1911?

A: Regardless of manufacturer, the 1911 grip is universal. There is the more commonly found full-size 1911 and the compact (or Officer's Model) 1911.  There is an option for an ambidextrous safety that may have come on your pistol. If so, review the product details to see if the grip already accommodates this option. If the grips do not have the ambidextrous notch cut into them we can cut out the notch at no additional cost.  Exotic Pistol Grips carries 1911 grips with various other options. Browse our collection to see which option you would like for your 1911.

Be sure that you indeed own a 1911 before purchasing a pair of grips. Just because a manufacturer prodcues a single stack .45 caliber semi-automatic does not mean it is a 1911. Star and Llama are both firearm manufacturers that make pistols customers often confuse for being 1911s. Browning also makes a miniature 1911 .22lr that requires a different grip.


Q: Will these grips fit my Smith and Wesson revolver?

A: Smith and Wesson revolver grips come in a variety of sizes, regardless of the caliber. The size of your grips will depend upon the frame model number and design of the frame.

To determine which frame model you own, swing out the cylinder. The model number is at the point in front of where the cylinder pin locks into the front part of the frame. On some revolvers, the frame model is displayed as a letter: J, K, L, or N.

In other cases, you will need to compare the model number and design of the grip to the following:

Frame type Model number
J frame Square butt 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 51, 63 and 651
J frame Round butt 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 49, 50, 51, 60, 242, 317, 331, 332, 337, 337PD, 340, 340PD, 342, 342PD, 360, 442, 449, 460, 631, 632, 637, 638, 640, 642, 649, 650 and 940
K/L frame Square butt 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 45, 48, 56, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 581, 586, 617, 648, 681 and 686
K/L frame Round butt 10, 12, 13, 19, 64, 65, 66, 296, 386/PD, 396, 586, 617, 646, 648, 681, 686 and 696
N frame Round butt 24, 29, 610, 624, 625, 627, 629 and 657
N frame Square butt 20-29, 57, 58, 610, 624, 625, 627, 629 and 657

Note that a square butt will have pointed corners on the butt of the frame while a round butt will be rounded.

Q: I found a pair of Smith and Wesson grips I like but it was made for the N frame and I own the smaller K frame. Can the grips be converted to fit my frame?

Absolutely! A Smith and Wesson N frame is slightly larger than the K/L frame models. You can refer to the chart above to find out which size frame you own. If you like a pair of our N frame grips but need it modified to fit your K/L frame revolver, let us know in the Notes section during the checkout process.

Q: I found a pair of Smith and Wesson grips I like but it is a square butt and I own a round butt frame. Can the grips be converted to fit my frame?

Absolutely! Since Smith and Wesson square butt frames are slightly larger than their round butt counterparts, we can convert the square butt grips to fit your round butt frame. However, we cannot convert a round butt to fit a square butt frame. If you find a pair of Smith and Wesson grips you like, choose Square or Round from the drop-down menu during the checkout process.

Q: How can I tell whether I own a New model or an Old model Ruger Vaquero?

A: There are a number of differences between the older Ruger Vaquero, which we designate the Old Vaquero, and the New Vaquero. To understand which you own, it is best to remove the grips.

  1. The easiest way to tell if you have a New Vaquero is to look at the frame. A New Vaquero is stamped "Ruger New Vaquero" while the older models are simply stamped "Ruger Vaquero."
  2. The older vaquero has a ramp towards the top of the grip frame. The New Vaquero does not.
  3. The New vaquero has a hammerstruck lock that prevents the hammer from engaging. A key should have come with the manual. Most New Vaqueros with the hammerstruck lock have factory plastic grips. It is our assumption that the intention was for customers to drill out a hole in the plastic grips to access the lock. The locking mechanism protrudes from the frame requiring a cutout in the backside of the grip to acccomodate the lock.
  4. Finally, the older Vaquero grips are about 1/4" longer than the New Vaquero.

Q: What is the difference between a Blackhawk and a Vaquero?

A: A Ruger pistol that is designated a Blackhawk has adjustable sights whereas the Vaquero has fixed sights. The pistol grip frame for the Old Vaquero and Blackhawk are the same.


Q: What is the correct way to mount a grip?

A: When mounting the grips make sure you do not over tighten the screw. A key to making sure the grips are tight enough is to knock on the grip with your knuckle: if it sounds solid, the grip has been mounted tightly, otherwise, continue to tighten the screw.


Q: Is it legal to have these exotic materials on my pistol?

A: According to federal and state laws, it is 100% legal for you to have our selection of elk horn, sambar stag horn, water buffalo, and exotic woods on your pistol.

Concerning elephant ivory, it is legal in the state of California to own but not to purchase or sell. It is also illegal to import into the state of California. In effect, ivory is banned in California and any existing material has been "grandfathered." Concerning mammoth ivory, it is our feeling that state officials would not be able to discern the difference between it and elephant ivory so it is our preference to not work with the material.

Q: Does Exotic Pistol Grips charge for shipping?

A: When shipping pistol grips we charge $5.00 for shipping within the 48 contiguous United States. If you are purchasing multiple grips at a time, we will try our best to fit them into a single box. For our other shooting accessories, we try to use USPS Flat Rate boxes to save shipping costs for our customers. To view our Shipping Policy, click here.

For shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, and international shipments, please provide us with your shipping address so we can calculate appropriate shipping costs. Submit your shipping cost query here.