HOW CAN I REPAIR THESE GRIPS

cobra44 · #1 12-14-2010, 10:16 PM

I posted on here a while back about a S&W that I was considering buying. I bought the revolver and it had a piece in the side of the grip.
I removed the piece that was screwed on and here is a picture of what was underneath the piece.
The piece was mounted through the hole where the S&W medallion was mounted. There is epoxy or glue around the hole, and it is honed out.
I am trying to figure out how to repair the grips. I have old medallions that I can put on the grip.
I am trying to figure out how to remove the medallions from the old grips and install them on these. I also need to figure out how to repair the honed out area on the grip and remove the epoxy/glue.
These grips are the longer combat grips and I like the way they feel. Any advice?

Bruce51 · #2 12-14-2010, 11:24 PM

One way to remove the epoxy without further damage to the wood is with a heated knife. Epoxy breaks down quickly when subjected to heat. Using a propane torch or gas stove heat a pointed blade to red hot and gently apply to the glue. You will have to decide how to regulate the heat by trial and error. Work the glue lose until you have it all removed.
I have used slow set epoxy or accuraglass to restore damaged areas on wood. By adding powdered colors to the epoxy in layers the damaged area can be refilled and colored to blend.
It is easy to do especially for those who do furniture repair and faux finishes.
See if you can find a furniture repair person who has the blendal colors.
You will need burnt sienna and black as your primary colors. Mix the sienna first with the filler and start to refill the area. Accuraglass is really good but for a small area clear slow set epoxy works as well. Faux finishes take a little practice to blend well but it can be done.

Bruce

Cooter Brown · #3 12-14-2010, 11:30 PM

Unless I'm missing something in those pictures, those grips do not appear to be proper to that gun; they don't look like they fit. It looks like the the backstrap is sticking out past the grips...

stantheman86 · #4 12-14-2010, 11:46 PM

Ditch those rigged-up grips and get some Magnas on there

cobra44 · #5 12-15-2010, 12:21 AM

Bruce Lee M - Thank you for the information. I will go to a furniture repair shop tomorrow.

Cooter Brown - That is what I thought also. They are N frame. I am not sure if they have been trimmed or not.
They fit really good except at the top of the backstrap.
I have many sets of combat grips and these feel the best of all.

Now I need to figure out how to remove and install the medallions on the grips.

Gun 4 Fun · #6 12-15-2010, 12:50 AM

What makes you think they are N frame grips?
I'd bet good money they are for a K frame. Lets see the inside of them if possible.

TAROMAN · #7 12-15-2010, 03:43 AM

Medallions probably fell off in shame. Agree with the advice to ditch these and get the proper ones.

srgvaz · #8 12-15-2010, 04:02 AM

The suggested fixes above all sound good, but I would sell them on eBay and get some that fit properly.

Before or after you fix them is your choice. Removing epoxy from wood is not easy and it might damage them even more and leave you more repair work in the end.

VM · #9 12-15-2010, 07:40 AM

G4F is correct.........those are K frame grips.
Soaking them in acetone will remove the epoxy easily.

dkees · #10 12-15-2010, 10:16 AM

Grips for the gun or gun for the grips, one or the other.

You could spend a lot of time and effort on this project with no real improvement.

cobra44 · #11 12-15-2010, 03:29 PM

Thanks for all the information.
I just checked these on a L frame. They do not fit a L frame nor a N frame correctly. Evidently they have been modified.
I really like the way they feel and am going to use for my carry revolver.
I have probably 12 sets of the various S&W combat grips (I guess I got carried away) but these feel the best of all of them.
Still need to get the old medallions off the other grips to put on this one.

Gun 4 Fun · #12 12-15-2010, 05:34 PM

Someone may have sanded them right near the DA hump, but those are definately K frame grips.

Post a pic of the inside, and maybe we can help figure out what they need to fit one gun frame or the other correctly. If they were sanded too much, they will never fit any gun right.

If they feel great to you, then by all means use them.

Personally, I want grips that fit the frame correctly on my CCW guns. I don't need any extra bare edges exposed that may cause me any problems at the worst possible moment.