What tool for the job??

brmfan · May 14, 2011, 06:33 PM

I need to bevel one side of a Glock 23 trigger guard to keep my middle finger knuckle from being abused with each shot. I know this is a common issue and many have suggested ye 'ol Dremel, but it seems a bit aggressive and could end up worse than planned. What do the Smithy gurus suggest? Small rat tail file, fine grit paper? I'm not looking to remove a lot of material- just bevel the outside edge a bit to take the bite out.

GURU1911 · May 14, 2011, 08:06 PM

Start with some 600 grit emery paper, tear off a small piece, & wrap around a popsicle stick. Gently began removal of the affected area & test with your shooting hand frequently.

Guru1911

Jeff F · May 14, 2011, 09:21 PM

If you go the Dremel route one word of caution, lock what ever you are working on down in a good vice with the appropriate vice jaws.

drail · May 15, 2011, 12:33 PM

600 grit paper is going to take a...... very...... long.... time. A pocketknife would work much better and then finish up with sandpaper.

brmfan · May 15, 2011, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the feedback! I played it down the middle and used (with a very light touch) a small square of 60 grit wrapped around a spent .308 case. This allowed me to put a nice and even 45 degree bevel on the back edge of the trigger guard. OMG! What a difference!

I can now put a death grip on the pistol without my knuckle getting in the way. With the adjustable backstrap (Gen4), it now fits my hand perfectly. I'll see if I can get some decent pics to post.

My thought is why the heck doesn't Glock put a bevel on it to begin with since this seems to be a common complaint with folks that have larger paws?

brmfan · May 15, 2011, 02:37 PM

Here are the unaltered and altered views of the trigger guard. As you can see I didn't take a lot of material off. I just made sure to get the right angle so my knuckle wouldn't get smashed up against the edge of the trigger guard. It is SOOOOO much more comfortable now and I can finally apply the correct grip which should help my accuracy.

HiBC · May 16, 2011, 02:58 AM

You got it done,good.I assume it was polymer? A good simple tool for that sort of work is a scraper.I make mine by taking a piece of .020 or so feeler gage stock and taking it to a grinder(fine wheel).I just gentle grind an arc across the end of a piece.It will leave a small burr.That is the cutting edge.I just drag that on my workpiece.It shaves clean without leaving the fuzz of a file or grind wheel.

May 14, 2011, 06:33 PM	#1
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 557	What tool for the job?? I need to bevel one side of a Glock 23 trigger guard to keep my middle finger knuckle from being abused with each shot. I know this is a common issue and many have suggested ye 'ol Dremel, but it seems a bit aggressive and could end up worse than planned. What do the Smithy gurus suggest? Small rat tail file, fine grit paper? I'm not looking to remove a lot of material- just bevel the outside edge a bit to take the bite out.

May 14, 2011, 08:06 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Start with some 600 grit emery paper, tear off a small piece, & wrap around a popsicle stick. Gently began removal of the affected area & test with your shooting hand frequently. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 15, 2011, 01:59 PM	#5
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 557	Update Thanks for the feedback! I played it down the middle and used (with a very light touch) a small square of 60 grit wrapped around a spent .308 case. This allowed me to put a nice and even 45 degree bevel on the back edge of the trigger guard. OMG! What a difference! I can now put a death grip on the pistol without my knuckle getting in the way. With the adjustable backstrap (Gen4), it now fits my hand perfectly. I'll see if I can get some decent pics to post. My thought is why the heck doesn't Glock put a bevel on it to begin with since this seems to be a common complaint with folks that have larger paws?

May 14, 2011, 09:21 PM	#3
Jeff F Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Silver Springs NV Posts: 187	If you go the Dremel route one word of caution, lock what ever you are working on down in a good vice with the appropriate vice jaws.

May 15, 2011, 12:33 PM	#4
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	600 grit paper is going to take a...... very...... long.... time. A pocketknife would work much better and then finish up with sandpaper.

May 16, 2011, 02:58 AM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	You got it done,good.I assume it was polymer? A good simple tool for that sort of work is a scraper.I make mine by taking a piece of .020 or so feeler gage stock and taking it to a grinder(fine wheel).I just gentle grind an arc across the end of a piece.It will leave a small burr.That is the cutting edge.I just drag that on my workpiece.It shaves clean without leaving the fuzz of a file or grind wheel.