wood grips for Colts

[Kent Shootwell]

I like better wood on my Colts so I make them this way.
Step one: remove the grip frame and if needed smooth and flatten the sides, as little as possible.
IMG_0665 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
Step two: select the wood and cut to over size. A piece that is about 1 1/4" allows you to match the grain but if you have wood that is 5/8" thick that can work.
IMG_0664 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
Step three: with the thick piece cut the slabs off a bit thicker then finished size, this one required the slabs to be .530" finished.
IMG_0667 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
The saw cut sides need to be flat and smooth to lay up to the frame. By cutting them off the same side keeps the grain and figure near the same. And the top corner need to match the angle of the frame and grip. This isn't all ways 90 degrees!
IMG_0669 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[Kent Shootwell]

Step four: measure the thickness of the frame and make a piece of wood that thickness. On this one that is .390" then cut to fit the frame like the one shown above. A small piece of wood can be cut to place between the main spring and this spacer to hold it in place. It's important that the spacer fit the frame well.
IMG_0670 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
At this point glue and clamp the slabs to the spacer while on the frame being carful to have the square corner hard up to the receiver.
IMG_0671 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Once cured use a pencil to trace the frame to the wood and remove for rough shaping.
I like to add the serial number to the grip because Colt did, here you can see the pencil lines. Note how the grain appears to flow threw.
IMG_0673 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
Back on the pistol I use electrical tape to protect the metal as I file down to size then scribe a line to the frame. remove them and sand down to the scribe mark.
IMG_0674 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
At this point I put on a sealer coat of oil then refit them to the frame to look for spots that don't match like this, remove and trim till you're happy with the fit.
IMG_0675 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
Now remove and finish. I see I didn't mention that the bottom of the grip has a 12 degree bevel like Colt did but you do them to suit yourself.
IMG_0678 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
My way, maybe not the right way but what do you expect in two days.
IMG_0679 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[Abilene]

Excellent!

[Coffinmaker]

  Sir Shootwell   

Am curious.  I make my own grips most exactly the same way.  Except.  What kind of glue do you use between the spacer and the grip panels.  I noticed you didn't apply any releasing agent to the frame parts.

Curioser and curioser are I

[Kent Shootwell]

Thank you Abilene.
Coffinmaker, in the old days I used epoxy and waxed the frame. But being a cutting edge type I now use a yellow wood glue. Only a tiny amount so there's nearly no squeeze out. Makes a neater joint and is very strong.

[Professor Marvel]

Beautiful work!

ummm are you taking on any commissions? LOL

Just a question, have you considered filling the angled gap betwixt the trigger guard frame and backstrap?

I have had varying success with brazing Italian brass, there is either a magic trick or the formula of brass is differrent betwxt manufacturors,
or I got some "bad rod" long ago....

yhs
prof marvel

[dusty texian]

Very nice work and very well explained Ken .You sure make it look easier than it is . ,,,,,DT

[Coffinmaker]

  Ah So Sir Shotwell   

I still use Epoxy.  I use Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) as a releasing agent.  When making my own, I don't care for the "Colt Bevel" and cut the grip square across the bottom. 

Really nice gips.  I really really like your work.

Stay Well - Stay away from People

[Kent Shootwell]

Professor, I would be voiding my retirement contract if I took on work!  
That gap had me pondering, was the trigger guard cut short or is it at the wrong angle? After days of deep thought it came to me, it doesn't show so ignore it! More important it's not structural.
Coffin, the bevel is critical to the Colt system to reduce pressure on a fellows ribs and to draw past coat tails while riding full tilt across the prairie.
The wife and I had a nice holiday with her preparing a full blown feast. A couple of phone chats and emails pushed us to the edge of excitement. Trusting you all had an enjoyable day as well.

[Johnny McCrae]

Very nice work along with a great explanation and pictures. That is some beautiful wood.

I made a a pair out of Corian in a similar fashion for my USFA SAA. I will only make grips for myself as I'm scared of scratching up someone's gun.