Hand making my own grips

squirt · May 25, 2010, 02:08 PM

I have recently decided to make my self a set of grips for my N Frame .45 ACP round butt. However, I would like to make a set that have the shape of a square butt. Does any one have a pattern to follow? A simple trace of your square butt N Frame grips would suffice, I can do the rest.

mete · May 25, 2010, 02:42 PM

Best to cut the blank oversize and cut and try till it fits you well .Then you'll get a truly custom grip.

squirt · May 25, 2010, 05:05 PM

I'm thanking that is what I will have to do. I guess I was looking for the easy way. But, if I am going to take the time and trouble I might as well do it the right way.

Does anybody have objections to using Hickory for grips. Will it bust easy or be unsuitable in any other way?

Bill DeShivs · May 25, 2010, 05:55 PM

Hickory is a strong wood, but it's certainly not attractive.
If you are going to do it right, why not use a nicer wood?

James K · May 25, 2010, 06:35 PM

Unless you just want to DIY, why not call S&W? Their catalog shows they have square butt grips as standard on some N-frames. (AFAIK, all current S&Ws are made with round grips and the square type are filled out with wood.)

Jim

squirt · May 26, 2010, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the input Bill. What kind of wood would you suggest?

By the way, nice Knives!

Bill DeShivs · May 26, 2010, 09:59 PM

Thank you!
At least use a quality walnut. Cocobolo, rosewood, ebony-there are many exotic woods available. Use whatever you like (even if it's hickory.)

velocette · May 27, 2010, 03:15 PM

You may be able to contact some of the custom grip makers & ask them to supply you with grip blanks that have been inletted for your revolver but left as a block on the outside. Thus you can fit the grips to your hand and have grips that will fit properly to your firearm. you can also request some very nice wood from these folks.

Roger

aarondhgraham · May 27, 2010, 04:13 PM

I'll trace the grips and post them tomorrow for your use.

Years ago I "carved" a set of grips using a Dremel tool with a small drum sander,,,
They actually came out rather nicely.

I used some kids modeling clay (two pieces in Saran Wrap) to get a general shape of my grip,,,
Then I just started in on that piece of walnut with the sander and tried to duplicate the finger grooves from the clay.

May 25, 2010, 02:08 PM	#1
squirt Member Join Date: November 2, 2009 Location: pineville, KY Posts: 25	Hand making my own grips I have recently decided to make my self a set of grips for my N Frame .45 ACP round butt. However, I would like to make a set that have the shape of a square butt. Does any one have a pattern to follow? A simple trace of your square butt N Frame grips would suffice, I can do the rest.

May 25, 2010, 05:55 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,986	Hickory is a strong wood, but it's certainly not attractive. If you are going to do it right, why not use a nicer wood? __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 26, 2010, 09:59 PM	#7
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,986	Thank you! At least use a quality walnut. Cocobolo, rosewood, ebony-there are many exotic woods available. Use whatever you like (even if it's hickory.) __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 27, 2010, 03:15 PM	#8
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	You may be able to contact some of the custom grip makers & ask them to supply you with grip blanks that have been inletted for your revolver but left as a block on the outside. Thus you can fit the grips to your hand and have grips that will fit properly to your firearm. you can also request some very nice wood from these folks. Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

May 27, 2010, 04:13 PM	#9
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I have a Model 629 with wooden grips,,, I'll trace the grips and post them tomorrow for your use. Years ago I "carved" a set of grips using a Dremel tool with a small drum sander,,, They actually came out rather nicely. I used some kids modeling clay (two pieces in Saran Wrap) to get a general shape of my grip,,, Then I just started in on that piece of walnut with the sander and tried to duplicate the finger grooves from the clay. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 25, 2010, 02:42 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Best to cut the blank oversize and cut and try till it fits you well .Then you'll get a truly custom grip.

May 25, 2010, 05:05 PM	#3
squirt Member Join Date: November 2, 2009 Location: pineville, KY Posts: 25	I'm thanking that is what I will have to do. I guess I was looking for the easy way. But, if I am going to take the time and trouble I might as well do it the right way. Does anybody have objections to using Hickory for grips. Will it bust easy or be unsuitable in any other way?

May 25, 2010, 06:35 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Unless you just want to DIY, why not call S&W? Their catalog shows they have square butt grips as standard on some N-frames. (AFAIK, all current S&Ws are made with round grips and the square type are filled out with wood.) Jim

May 26, 2010, 09:33 PM	#6
squirt Member Join Date: November 2, 2009 Location: pineville, KY Posts: 25	Thanks for the input Bill. What kind of wood would you suggest? By the way, nice Knives!