If you’re looking at dressing up your Colt 1911 with some fancy new grips, you may want to consider using stabilized wood.  Some of the benefits of using acrylic stabilized wood are:

• Protection from moisture
• Wood will not shrink or warp
• Protection from humidity changes
• UV Light Protection
• Machines well, no tearout
• Does not require a finish
• Scratches polish/buff out
• Finish will not wear off

Pictures courtesy of  Sarge’s Grips

Another benefit of using stabilized wood is you can choose just about any wood you want.  Some of the most beautiful woods for pistol grips are spalted, which are most often too soft to use…unless they are stabilized.  Burl woods can also be a little finicky to work with and stabilizing makes them easier to machine and finish.