How did the plastic grips fit different sized grip-frames?

[MikeChandler]

I am a bit confused. If all of the USFA grip frames are slightly different sizes, how did they make the molded plastic grips fit them all?

I am asking this as every place I've contacted has told me that they need my grip frame and trigger guard to make a set of grips - as they're all slightly different sizes.

What's the deal; how did they make molded grips fit?

[Pettifogger]

On a lot of single actions they put the grips on the frame and grind them to fit.  Then those grips stay with that frame during the rest of the manufacturing process.  That is why you can never buy used grips for a Colt and have them fit properly. New ones are slightly oversize.

[Buckaroo Lou]

Mike,

There is a guy on the Colt clone forum (the one just below the USFA forum) by the name of Sack Peterson who sold me a pair of stag grips he had made for a USFA Rodeo and they fit on my USFA Premium single action perfectly. He makes custom grip panels you might contact him and ask him if he can make you a set.

[Coffinmaker]

Sometimes you just get lucky.

Coffinmaker

[GaryG]

The USA made frames, backstrap, and triggerguard combination (USFA called it a Y1) are very consistent and grips from from gun would be very close (if not perfect) to another of the same period.  The Uberti TG had a different profile and grips from a US gun would not fit an early USFA.