|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
March 3, 2008, 07:54 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Baby's getting new clothes
The Bounty Hunter is getting new grips..........if I didn't bite off more than I can chew. If it works, it younger brother will get some too!
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 3, 2008, 08:13 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
Yes there is, two good pistols
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 3, 2008, 08:56 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
Keep us posted on how it turns out, i am thinking
of changing out my westen marshal's grips,and i was going the same way with the 3 piece system. Show some pics of the finished product, i would be intrested to see how it turns out thanks.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 3, 2008, 09:17 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
I just loved the looks of the one piece grips I had on my Cimarron Cavalry model (deceased 2007, RIP). The wood on the Bounty Hunter is nice, but I still wanted the "clean" look. According to the vendor (Gripmaker, Carthage, MO.) these will "Age" thru oxidation.
Now I just have to get up the nerve to start cutting, grinding, scraping, filing, and/or sanding..................
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 3, 2008, 09:31 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
Aw ge dont cut to fast or grind or sand or file oh my god i
cant take it ?****? allmost past out in the excitement. Just take your time.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 4, 2008, 12:27 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 14, 2004
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 533
|
I just made a set of grips for a Uberti .45. It had a brass backstrap and trigger guard originally. I ordered new steel ones and had to make new grips. I made the two grip halves and glued them to a center piece. The one piece grip would be beyond my skill level otherwise.
I second the request to keep us posted. |
March 4, 2008, 01:20 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Very original looking Steve. Great job.
Larry Little at Gripmaker was telling me thats how Uberti makes their "one piece"...in three pieces! Still.....its one piece when you're done and it allows a cleaner look. Anyone know if Colt always carved one piece designs or did they ever assemble them with glue.....makes a lot of sense from a labor aspect. I guess you two guys talked me into doing a little "show and tell" piece on making the grips. It will definitely help me to take my time, and hopefully improve the outcome. I'll likely get started in a day or two........I have to clear off my bench and assemble my tools..............
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 4, 2008, 02:49 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,177
|
If I'm not mistaken and don't think I am Colt made theirs from one piece. May I ask why you want one piece grips? Two piece are more appropriate for that frame style.
|
March 4, 2008, 08:05 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
I made a set of grips for my 58 rem and when i finished
they looked 150 years old, this is how i made them. I had a old set of 58 grips did not like the finish so i took them down to the bear wood, then i sprayed them with white enamel about five light coats, then i sprayed them with five coats of polyurethane inbetween each coat i uesd a hair dryer wich it turned the grips a creamy yellow, then to finish of i sprayed the grips with a clear hard enamel to protecet the finish. They turned out better than i thought.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 4, 2008, 08:16 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Quote:
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
|
March 4, 2008, 08:25 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
I agree with you, you can not beat the clean look.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 4, 2008, 11:11 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Lets begin
First, I hope I may be excused if this is the incorrect part of the forum to post this, but I figure it deals with a BP six gun and some people seem interested in this thread. (Some of the photos aren't very good because I'm using an Intel web cam.)
Anyway... A good work space is important to keep things organized and to prevent damaging other surfaces (my dining table is glass!). I use this 1980s vintage Workmate because I live in an apartment and don't have a shop or permanent workbench. While its been used for woodworking projects in the past, its primary use is my loading bench. Its been to Texas, North Carolina, and (then) West Germany. The work top is 1 1/4 X 11. I don't know what it did in its past life, but its a loading/gunsmithing/cleaning bench now. I used to have a rifle cleaning cradle that clamped to it but with a few moves and a divorce its seemed to have relocated itself. What isn't apparent are the sliding clamps securing the top to the table and the clamp on work light with magnifier on the far end. My eyes aren't what they used to be so a magnifying glass with a built in light is great for this sort of thing.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey Last edited by berkmberk1; March 6, 2008 at 09:33 PM. Reason: forgot to put in the picture |
March 4, 2008, 11:18 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
The Kit
When completed, the kit makes a one piece installation. The instructions are pretty clear and easy to follow. It comes with the two grip panels, a filler block, and a "freebie" panel to practice on. The detail on this Masonic emblemed panel gives you an idea of the quality of the Gripmaker's product.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 4, 2008, 11:25 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Tools
The instructions recommend a Dremel type tool, agressive and fine
files, wet/dry sandpaper, and a sharp knife, among others. Since this installation doesn't call for locating pins or an escutcheon and screws, I won't need my power drill. As you can see, I'm not the Craftsman/Powermate type, but I believe this pile of stuff should work alright. If not......Ace is the Place and its only three blocks down the street! I guess there's no turning back now!
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 5, 2008, 06:53 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,177
|
I hope they turn out well for you.
|
March 5, 2008, 09:11 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 14, 2004
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 533
|
I checked out the website for the Gripmaker, http://www.gripmaker.com/ , and I wasn't sure which kit you ordered. The plain #4 would be what I'd think for a Colt 1873, but the picture of the plain grip shows a screw hole. Which one do you have?
|
March 5, 2008, 01:15 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
I really can't say for sure. The label says "SA Plain".
Since it isn't a real Colt, or one of the more common clones, Larry had me send him tracings of the frame. Then.....get this......he phoned me on a Saturday morning to discuss my options (he couldn't get thru on my email......hows that for service?). It turns out that the frame is very close to a real SAA. I could have gotten the screw on ones, but when I asked him about one piecers, he said he had a kit that should work and sent it to me. By the way, as long as you don't do any work on them, you can send them back for a refund.......neat!! When I got the kit I took my grips off and "eyeballed" the fit. The grips themselves only overlap the frame MAYBE 1/16 of an inch in most areas......not much to trim. The filler will need a little shaving to clear the mainspring screw and a little thinning to fit flush in the frame. If interested but in doubt, send him a tracing of the frame along with the make and model and I would have no doubt he could fit you.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 5, 2008, 09:47 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
Hey berkmberk1
I can not for some reson click on to your attached images. I will try again.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 5, 2008, 10:42 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
They work fine for me.......what browser might you be using?
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 6, 2008, 12:36 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2008
Posts: 669
|
OK pard, i dont know what happened but i am back
with the picture?????. I just checked out your images and they came up i got a little worred then. OK keep at it.
__________________
Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson. |
March 6, 2008, 01:07 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
I plan to start trimming tonite when I get home from work. Couldn't last night the "good woman" came over for dinner..........
I'll post some more pictures tonite. Glad you can finally see them.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 6, 2008, 08:49 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Slow and easy is the ticket
Tonite I experimented with the spare grip panel.
The material is hard enough, but files, grinding attachments and sandpaper/drums all take it off pretty easily....just some faster than others. My first step was to take the old grips off and check what sort of overlap/excess I had to work with. As you can see, this panel is already a close fit.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 6, 2008, 08:59 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
The real panels have quite a bit more material to take off, so the moto tool will be the way to go.
The instructions show working on the front of the grip first. This is where the grip butts up against the rear of the main frame. There's quite a bit of excess on the panels, so taking off about an 1/8 in here will alleviate the need to take a lot off the back. The downside is in the front. Where it fits the grip frame good and flush now, it will overlap and require reducing. :barf:
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 6, 2008, 09:10 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
I scribed the outline of the frame with a fine mechanical pencil..........said a bunch of prayers.........and then tried out a file (no go), exacto knife (no go), sandpaper (ok), and then my moto tool with a grinding attachment.....)wow )....and finally a drum sander attachment (two thumbs up....
After taking the profile down as far as the scribed line, I attacked the panel with some 150 paper to meld in the spots where I used the grinder (sort of rough) and contour the areas where I used the drum (which I'll use on the final products). After that I progressed to some 400 wet/dry paper to even things out even further. I'm not the most patient man when it comes to "projects" as I want a finished product NOW! But I spent a little over an hour just on this one panel.....to get a feel for the material. I'll take more time on the real deal.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
March 6, 2008, 09:23 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 10, 2008
Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX)
Posts: 187
|
Doing this by hand isn't the easiest thing in the world, but with a little patience I should have the two panels done in a few hours...not tonite....thats when I get the nerve.......probably start tomorrow......
These next photos show the practice grip "mocked up". The nexts stages will then be: fitting the filler block (which shouldn't be anything), epoxying everything together (no room for error), and then finishing and polishing.
__________________
M.D. Berk SFC USA Ret. (NRA Life Member 21 yrs) There's nothing like a good woman, a good pistol, and a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|