Possiblity of Reshaping and Reducing the Pistol Grip Size???

Beyond_Visual_Range · January 15, 2002, 02:37 AM

I love my Ruger P90 Stainless Steel, but the grip is just abit too large for my hand to shoot steadily. I'm thinking of using Hogue's grip, but I'm afraid the metal frame is what's keeping the grip too large. As long as I'm going to cover up the metal frame, I've been contemplating the possibility of reducing the metal grip frame with a Dremel type of power tool. ( I actually have a Black&Decker RTX).

The pistol has a single-stack magazine, so the Ruger Aluminum Alloy metal frame has quite abit of metal excess. I'm thinking about making the grip both thinner and shorter (from trigger to back). The main area I'm considering is the skeleton behind the side panel right now. This will be covered up by Hogue's Grip, so it should be alright. I also plan to grind away some that touches the area between my thumb and index finger. If reduced, it should do much to make the grip firmer, but I wonder how difficult would it reshape this Aliminum Alloy.

I would like to know if anyone's done something like this before. If so, what tools were used to reshape, and also to refinish the metal. Thanks for any insight or ideas.

George Stringer · January 15, 2002, 08:25 AM

I know that some smiths are doing this on glocks. I don't see why you couldn't right off hand. I don't have any advise as to what to use. If I was doing something like that I'd use a milling machine. Just remember it's much easier to remove metal than to replace it. George

9mmepiphany · January 15, 2002, 03:16 PM

just an observation...maybe stating the obvious

1. hogue grips will ADD to the size of your grip
2. you might try looking for thinner grip panels or thinning the stock panels before grinding on the frame (grip panels are cheaper)
3. the "grip size", in .45/10mm guns, is determined more by their depth (front to back) than their width (side to side)

personally i found the p90 just uncomfortable to hold but find the p97 much nicer...you might compare the 2 to get an idea of where you want to end up.

Beyond_Visual_Range · January 15, 2002, 03:57 PM

yeah, I do think it's the "depth" rather than the width that's bothering me. I'm going to grind all along the back of the pistol grip....which I hope with Fritz and Hogue's rubber grip, there wont' be cosmetic problems. I'm just worried about what's needed to grind away the Aluminum Alloy in the frame. Like I said, all I have is a B&D RTX that works just like a Dremel but with more torque. I hope it's powerful enough.

BTW, I've tried the P97 too, it wasn't that much better for my hand. And I opted for the stronger looking metal frame. I like heavy handguns, just that most big handguns' grips end up being too large in my hand.

9mmepiphany · January 15, 2002, 04:54 PM

ok, more info...

before you start grinding, determine where you want more grip.

1. is it a problem reaching the trigger with the backstrap correctly positioned?
2. are your other fingers not getting around the frontstrap? which finger(s)?

if it's #1, just reduce the area that meets the web of your hand... you could also round off the edges of the trigger to improve position

if it's #2, you can reduce both the front and back straps, keep in mind that if you only grind

them flat, without contouring the edges, you end up holding a 1"x2"

good luck

45Badger · January 19, 2002, 10:29 PM

Ned Christiansen does this on 1911's. He may be able to help. Check out www.michiguns.com
Good luck.

Walt Sherrill · January 19, 2002, 10:35 PM

The chances of doing what you want, and doing it well, are pretty slim. Then you're going to have a gun you don't like and can't sell.

I'd suggest, instead, that you look at the Ruger P-97. Its basically the same gun, with a slightly smaller grip and improved barrel/lockup design. Your mags will work in it.

Romulus · January 19, 2002, 11:06 PM

Sorry, but taking a dremel or like tool to a frame

is complete madness to me...unless you have the hands of a Michelangelo or a Bernini, chances are that you'll bugger up the piece and turn it into an unsaleable deformity...

I apologize for being this blunt, but I respectfully suggest you're well on the road toward gun butchery...

For the love of a good firearm, please desist...

January 15, 2002, 03:16 PM	#3
9mmepiphany Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Location: northern california Posts: 1,092	just an observation...maybe stating the obvious 1. hogue grips will ADD to the size of your grip 2. you might try looking for thinner grip panels or thinning the stock panels before grinding on the frame (grip panels are cheaper) 3. the "grip size", in .45/10mm guns, is determined more by their depth (front to back) than their width (side to side) personally i found the p90 just uncomfortable to hold but find the p97 much nicer...you might compare the 2 to get an idea of where you want to end up. __________________ the map is not the territory

January 15, 2002, 04:54 PM	#5
9mmepiphany Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Location: northern california Posts: 1,092	ok, more info... before you start grinding, determine where you want more grip. 1. is it a problem reaching the trigger with the backstrap correctly positioned? 2. are your other fingers not getting around the frontstrap? which finger(s)? if it's #1, just reduce the area that meets the web of your hand... you could also round off the edges of the trigger to improve position if it's #2, you can reduce both the front and back straps, keep in mind that if you only grind them flat, without contouring the edges, you end up holding a 1"x2" good luck __________________ the map is not the territory

January 19, 2002, 10:29 PM	#6
45Badger Member Join Date: January 18, 2002 Location: Minn-eh-soh-ta! Posts: 41	Ned Christiansen does this on 1911's. He may be able to help. Check out www.michiguns.com Good luck. __________________ Live Free or Die! 9mm = 45acp set on "stun"

January 19, 2002, 11:06 PM	#8
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	Sorry, but taking a dremel or like tool to a frame is complete madness to me...unless you have the hands of a Michelangelo or a Bernini, chances are that you'll bugger up the piece and turn it into an unsaleable deformity... I apologize for being this blunt, but I respectfully suggest you're well on the road toward gun butchery... For the love of a good firearm, please desist... __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

January 15, 2002, 02:37 AM	#1
Beyond_Visual_Range Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2002 Location: WA Posts: 110	Possiblity of Reshaping and Reducing the Pistol Grip Size??? I love my Ruger P90 Stainless Steel, but the grip is just abit too large for my hand to shoot steadily. I'm thinking of using Hogue's grip, but I'm afraid the metal frame is what's keeping the grip too large. As long as I'm going to cover up the metal frame, I've been contemplating the possibility of reducing the metal grip frame with a Dremel type of power tool. ( I actually have a Black&Decker RTX). The pistol has a single-stack magazine, so the Ruger Aluminum Alloy metal frame has quite abit of metal excess. I'm thinking about making the grip both thinner and shorter (from trigger to back). The main area I'm considering is the skeleton behind the side panel right now. This will be covered up by Hogue's Grip, so it should be alright. I also plan to grind away some that touches the area between my thumb and index finger. If reduced, it should do much to make the grip firmer, but I wonder how difficult would it reshape this Aliminum Alloy. I would like to know if anyone's done something like this before. If so, what tools were used to reshape, and also to refinish the metal. Thanks for any insight or ideas.

January 15, 2002, 08:25 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	I know that some smiths are doing this on glocks. I don't see why you couldn't right off hand. I don't have any advise as to what to use. If I was doing something like that I'd use a milling machine. Just remember it's much easier to remove metal than to replace it. George

January 15, 2002, 03:57 PM	#4
Beyond_Visual_Range Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2002 Location: WA Posts: 110	yeah, I do think it's the "depth" rather than the width that's bothering me. I'm going to grind all along the back of the pistol grip....which I hope with Fritz and Hogue's rubber grip, there wont' be cosmetic problems. I'm just worried about what's needed to grind away the Aluminum Alloy in the frame. Like I said, all I have is a B&D RTX that works just like a Dremel but with more torque. I hope it's powerful enough. BTW, I've tried the P97 too, it wasn't that much better for my hand. And I opted for the stronger looking metal frame. I like heavy handguns, just that most big handguns' grips end up being too large in my hand.

January 19, 2002, 10:35 PM	#7
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	The chances of doing what you want, and doing it well, are pretty slim. Then you're going to have a gun you don't like and can't sell. I'd suggest, instead, that you look at the Ruger P-97. Its basically the same gun, with a slightly smaller grip and improved barrel/lockup design. Your mags will work in it.