Making a wooden Colt grip

foolzrushn · October 6, 2015, 12:57 AM

One of my Colt 1851 Piettas has a grip made to simulate ivory. Unfortunately, the white Italian plastic ( which may be 30 years old ), is not only soft, but cracking. That would seem to be a contradiction, however it is true.

The grip is almost, if not, soft enough to be gouged with a thumbnail. It is easily scratched and then the scratches attract dirt and whatnot, and are very visible. On the inside of the grip in one of the machined corners, the plastic has begun to split apart. I imagine that both the scratching and cracking are due to the plastic drying out from age and losing it's polymers. I would be interested to know what others have done, or suggest, to fix a cracked grip.

This old plastic grip has me thinking about making a replacement Colt wooden grip. It would be more difficult than making Remington grips. I don't have a wood shop and would need to improvise. I thought perhaps to make it in three pieces and then fasten them together in lieu of a one-piece grip.

I did find an interesting link about making Walnut stocks and forestocks for long guns. I have been interested in how the angle of the wood cut affects the appearance of the finished stock or grip, and there is some interesting information about how to cut the wood.

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/i...?topic=66491.0

Any comments for a fix, or about making a grip, are solicited.
Thanks, frn

Doc Hoy · October 6, 2015, 07:10 PM

Using the three piece method I think you are on the right track.

You might find it is easier than you might think.

gyvel · October 6, 2015, 07:29 PM

Blanks (one piece) are readily available and are generally a lot less hassle than trying to make your own. They are already inletted for the grip frame and mainspring.

I've got a bunch of blanks left over from the estate of a late friend of mine. PM me if you're interested.

All you do to fit them is (like Michelangelo) remove all the wood that doesn't look like a grip. LOL

I've also used the three piece method for making grips as Doc Hoy suggested. The only trick there is that the center piece has to clear the mainspring, and needs to follow the contour of the backstrap.

James K · October 7, 2015, 09:48 AM

If you want the "one piece" look, I would go with one piece. If you go with two pieces, then use a screw and escutcheons. Both are easy, the main problem being to fit the wood to the metal without marring the metal. Use of masking and/or cellophane tape will help a lot. (The factories install the grips on the gun, then sand the metal and wood down together to get a perfect fit; that can't be done on a complete gun unless you want to refinish the grip frame.)

Jim

foolzrushn · October 7, 2015, 04:17 PM

I know that fitting is a slow process. I'm just trying to decide if I also want to try for some attractive grain in the process. For all the effort fitting to the frame, it would be nice to end with something nice.

Doc Hoy · October 7, 2015, 04:36 PM

The index is the 90 degree angle of the frame.

I agree with the right honorable James K.

Care must be taken to avoid messing up the frame.

foolzrushn · October 7, 2015, 04:43 PM

Has anyone tried the blanks from Dixie? I don't think I've seen a one-piece grip blank anywhere else (except for gyvel). I just want to be sure that there is more wood than I need.

**4V50 Gary** · October 8, 2015, 09:41 AM

If you make your own, put packaging tape on the metal frame. Then a layer of painter's tape. This serves as a safety to prevent you from sanding intot he metal.

tatartot · October 8, 2015, 12:29 PM

People as you amaze my. There is so much talent out there, no wonder
this is the greatest country on earth.

October 6, 2015, 12:57 AM	#1
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Making a wooden Colt grip One of my Colt 1851 Piettas has a grip made to simulate ivory. Unfortunately, the white Italian plastic ( which may be 30 years old ), is not only soft, but cracking. That would seem to be a contradiction, however it is true. The grip is almost, if not, soft enough to be gouged with a thumbnail. It is easily scratched and then the scratches attract dirt and whatnot, and are very visible. On the inside of the grip in one of the machined corners, the plastic has begun to split apart. I imagine that both the scratching and cracking are due to the plastic drying out from age and losing it's polymers. I would be interested to know what others have done, or suggest, to fix a cracked grip. This old plastic grip has me thinking about making a replacement Colt wooden grip. It would be more difficult than making Remington grips. I don't have a wood shop and would need to improvise. I thought perhaps to make it in three pieces and then fasten them together in lieu of a one-piece grip. I did find an interesting link about making Walnut stocks and forestocks for long guns. I have been interested in how the angle of the wood cut affects the appearance of the finished stock or grip, and there is some interesting information about how to cut the wood. http://www.forestryforum.com/board/i...?topic=66491.0 Any comments for a fix, or about making a grip, are solicited. Thanks, frn __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder' Last edited by foolzrushn; October 6, 2015 at 07:36 AM.

October 6, 2015, 07:10 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	FRN Using the three piece method I think you are on the right track. You might find it is easier than you might think. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 6, 2015, 07:29 PM	#3
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Blanks (one piece) are readily available and are generally a lot less hassle than trying to make your own. They are already inletted for the grip frame and mainspring. I've got a bunch of blanks left over from the estate of a late friend of mine. PM me if you're interested. All you do to fit them is (like Michelangelo) remove all the wood that doesn't look like a grip. LOL I've also used the three piece method for making grips as Doc Hoy suggested. The only trick there is that the center piece has to clear the mainspring, and needs to follow the contour of the backstrap. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

October 7, 2015, 04:17 PM	#5
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	thanks for the replies I know that fitting is a slow process. I'm just trying to decide if I also want to try for some attractive grain in the process. For all the effort fitting to the frame, it would be nice to end with something nice. __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder'

October 7, 2015, 04:36 PM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	If you are doing three pieces... The index is the 90 degree angle of the frame. I agree with the right honorable James K. Care must be taken to avoid messing up the frame. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 7, 2015, 09:48 AM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If you want the "one piece" look, I would go with one piece. If you go with two pieces, then use a screw and escutcheons. Both are easy, the main problem being to fit the wood to the metal without marring the metal. Use of masking and/or cellophane tape will help a lot. (The factories install the grips on the gun, then sand the metal and wood down together to get a perfect fit; that can't be done on a complete gun unless you want to refinish the grip frame.) Jim

October 7, 2015, 04:43 PM	#7
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Dixie blanks Has anyone tried the blanks from Dixie? I don't think I've seen a one-piece grip blank anywhere else (except for gyvel). I just want to be sure that there is more wood than I need. __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder'

October 8, 2015, 09:41 AM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,843	If you make your own, put packaging tape on the metal frame. Then a layer of painter's tape. This serves as a safety to prevent you from sanding intot he metal. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 8, 2015, 12:29 PM	#9
tatartot Member Join Date: June 26, 2012 Posts: 58	People as you amaze my. There is so much talent out there, no wonder this is the greatest country on earth.