Removing the Grip Alignment Pin

quinn

quinn

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Is there a correct way to remove the grip alignment pin? Is it tapered on eway or the other. This relates to prewar and 1950s K and N frames...

I need to enlarge the alignment pin holes in the grips to make them seat correctly on guns that I have obtained period correct wood for. Is there a safe way to do this?

Thanks
 
quinn said:
Is there a correct way to remove the grip alignment pin? Is it tapered on eway or the other. This relates to prewar and 1950s K and N frames...

I need to enlarge the alignment pin holes in the grips to make them seat correctly on guns that I have obtained period correct wood for. Is there a safe way to do this?

Thanks
Click to expand...


I think it's easier to fill up the holes of the stocks with some wood repair paste. YMMV.:rolleyes:
 
Early guns had a solid pin, and later to current ones have a split roll pin. Some judicious tapping with a brass hammer should be ok on solid pins, but I would use a roll pin punch on that type.
 
quinn said:
Actually, I'm needing to enlarge the hole slightly.
Click to expand...

You really want to move the hole slightly, not enlarge (it will be too loose and grips can shift when shooting. Tightening the grip screw to keep them from shifting can warp the grips or pull the escutcheons too deep and crack the wood. By filling the hole first as Kuruso suggests, it will be easier to re-drill the proper hole size accurately.

Tape one grip at a time to the grip frame aligned with the edges, Use a drill bit that just fits in the alignment pin hole but doesn't remove metal (or the alignment pin will be loose when you re-install it). Insert thru pin hole, turn by hand with a t-handle like for a threading tap.

You can continue by hand. Or once you get a complete circle on the grip, remove it from grip frame and drill with power drill or better, in a drill press to keep hole straight and vertical.
 
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I use card stock as a template. Keep pin in place. Push pin through the paper. With fine point pencil trace outline of grip frame. With exacto knife or good scissors cut out grip frame profile. Match this template up against your stock and locate new hole.
 
#1 You can plug the existing hole with a wooden plug. File it flush. The use the method Hondo44 suggests to redrill the pin holes.

#2 You can do the same, but fill the hole with simple epoxy. File it flush and redrill the pin hole.

#1 can be done carefully so that the repair cannot be seen.
It all depends on what you want.

Or,#3 you can enlarge the existing hole with a very small gouge or a drill bit.
Cut them out/enlarge the hole in the direction needed to allow the grip pin to enter the grip freely and still allow you to push the grip into position while on the frame so it is tight.
Then apply release agent on the frame and pin (paste wax). Place a small amt of epoxy into the enlarged grip pin hole and place the grip (or grips) back on the frame and clamp or screw them into place.

The epoxy will harden around the pin in it's new location and be perfectly positioned to hold the panels in the right location.

#2 & #3 leave you with the same 'look' of a repair when the back of the panels are examined. A slight off center grip pin hole of epoxy repair.
 
What a wealth of information! Thanks all, I now have several options.
 
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