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06-12-2022, 07:55 PM
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Early Colt Commander Grips?
Can anyone tell me what grips would have come on a first yer (1951) Colt LW Commander? Bit outa my wheelhouse so I though I'd ask here.
Danke
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Last edited by murphydog; 06-16-2022 at 10:39 AM.
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06-12-2022, 08:10 PM
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Should be the brown plastic Coltwood grips with Colt emblems molded in. That's what my 1950s Commanders wear.
But be aware that these are known to shrink a little with age. If taken off, they can sometimes be a real PITA to get back on. 
Pic added 1952 .38 Super
Last edited by Grayfox; 06-12-2022 at 11:44 PM.
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The Following 13 Users Like Post:
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cndrdk, Faulkner, Gene L, intouchorg, jdlii, LEO918, LoboGunLeather, quinn, S&W Fan, s&wchad, SS336, stansdds, Valmet |
06-13-2022, 11:29 AM
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Thanks for that info. I wonder how to stretch one if I find a pair.?
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06-13-2022, 11:35 AM
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The first year of the Colt Commander was 1949 by the way. The grips can be stretched but it is a pain. Better to just be left on. However there are two distinct and slightly different types of plastic grips on commanders that run from 1949 to sometime in 1970 even after the serials went from LW to CLW. They revolve around the boss ring around the grip screw holes. One is wide boss and the other is narrow boss. The narrows are not near as likely to shrink as the wide. If you find a pair at a gun show, then look for ones with the narrow as they are more likely to be a fit. The ones show on Grayfox's 1952 Super are narrow.
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06-14-2022, 01:17 PM
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Randy,
Couldn't say, my '51 Commander Super 38 came with aftermarket grips. 
Sent from my SM-S127DL using Tapatalk
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Bruce
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06-14-2022, 07:51 PM
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Bruce: that is fine. What is on mine now is carve ivory with dragons and initials. I though production--other than for the military trials--didn't start until mid 1950. Mine has an early 9xxx serial so I though it would be an early '51. Where is the 'Colt Historical Foundation' when you need them? Will we see you in Cpncord tomorrow?
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06-16-2022, 10:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quinn
Bruce: that is fine. What is on mine now is carve ivory with dragons and initials. I though production--other than for the military trials--didn't start until mid 1950. Mine has an early 9xxx serial so I though it would be an early '51. Where is the 'Colt Historical Foundation' when you need them? Will we see you in Cpncord tomorrow?
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Randy,
I just couldn't get away this year. Was looking forward to seeing you and Scott again. I'm thinning out my TL Target herd. Hit me up when you get a chance.
Regards,
Bruce
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09-24-2022, 03:09 PM
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There’s a company in San Diego Ca that reproduces them in plastic so that there is no possibility of shrinking. If they do warp or bend, you just put them on a cookie sheet in the oven for about 20 minutes to soften them up, something you can’t do with the original Coltwood grips.
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10-01-2022, 10:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quinn
Thanks for that info. I wonder how to stretch one if I find a pair.?
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I believe that coltwood is a type of plastic and most plastics have a pretty high thermal coefficient so gentle low heating could do the job.
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