65-5 w/banana grips?

[markeb]

I bought a 65-5 with checkered banana grips yesterday from a very good friend. The grips are not original to the gun. I also have the rubber Hogue's that came on it. As you can see in the pics, there is a piece of wood missing on the right grip. My question is, should I get it repaired or just leave it alone. I don't know the best way to repair if I decide to. A pair of grips just like these that appeared to be in good condition sold on ebay yesterday for $125 with only 1 bid. Must have wanted them pretty bad.

[murphydog]

It's a common place for the larger (Combat or Target) stocks to get chipped. You can get it repaired if it really bothers you, but personally I would leave it alone. You can find them for less than $125 if you keep looking.

[-db-]

That seems to be an area chips/cracks are commonly found. A repair is possible but it will be visible and there's a chance damage will reoccur at the same spot. It those were mine, I would find a small file and remove only enough wood to square up the damaged area and then copy the same notch on the other panel to match it. A little bit of oil and/or wax to finish and it would look like factory. You'll notice on later stocks of these type, the corner of that edge is generously broken, I suspect to do away with the stress riser the earlier sharp corner presents.

[s&wchad]

A nice pair of K frame round butt target stocks with non-spectacular wood sold about a week ago for $133.50 + shipping on the same site. They had six bids. Prices seem to be going up on these as people realize there are far fewer of them available than square butt targets. I like them as well or better than combat stocks, but I have large hands.


I'd have yours repaired. It shouldn't be that difficult to splice in a chunk of wood or epoxy fill it and blend the finish. Chunks like that are broken off when someone tries to force stocks onto a gun. Most bolt right on, but some target stocks require a bit of fitting on some guns.

[bananaman]

If you would like to try it, take a piece of unnecessary wood from the back of the damaged grip as a donor. Shape it to fit, glue it. Touch up the seam with tru oil or something similar. Done right, it may be nearly invisible. Bob

[markeb]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I think I will leave it alone for now. It really isn't that noticeable, and I am not too bothered with it.

[cornfed83]

One thing that my father does when repairing stocks, he's been gunsmithing for 30+ years, is to put on a replacement piece of wood then paint it to match the grain. If it bugs you enough to do something about it you might try this.