This is how you spend 2 hours and ruin $100 grips

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

So I buy this really nice 686 parts kit awhile back with these well made walnut but custom initialed grips...They had "JM" and a lightning bolt... This morning, I decided to refinish them and get rid of that obnoxious letters and logo and turn them into something generic.

When I got done with the last sanding of 3000 grit, I applied stain and let dry before polyurethane, which I have yet to do...I thought they looked high quality, but I didn't want somebody's silly custom initials on my K/L frame grips.

After doing all of this, I just googled the grips and I found out that they are or were Jerry Miculek custom walnut grips....Now they are just walnut grips....I'm kinda sick right now. I would if Jerry would re-engrave them for me?

I need a drink now...

dave1918a2 · Jan 30, 2024

Hey,,,, they still look good. Try tung oil instead of polyurethane, looks as good and is easily repairable.

Yaworski · Jan 30, 2024

Send them to Jerry and ask him to sign them

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

Yaworski said:
Send them to Jerry and ask him to sign them

If I knew his email address, I would...I mean, they turned out nice, but Jerry Miculek grips?...I saw "JM" and I thought John Miller or James Montgomery, etc. went crazy with his new laser engraver.

BAM-BAM · Jan 30, 2024

Good job...... they are your grips not JM's!!!!!!!

AJ · Jan 30, 2024

MelvinWalker said:
If I knew his email address, I would...I mean, they turned out nice, but Jerry Miculek grips?...I saw "JM" and I thought John Miller or James Montgomery, etc. went crazy with his new laser engraver.

"There you go thinking again"............!

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

AJ said:
"There you go thinking again"............!

I know....It reminds me of an inmate one time running his mouth to the Warden about something...The inmate ended his statement to the Warden with "I thought..."...The Warden cut him off and said "excuse me?"...The inmate repeated "But I thought"...The Warden said to him, "Don't do that, I'LL do that".

lkabug · Jan 30, 2024

Your gun, your grips. Do it your way.

DeplorabusUnum · Jan 30, 2024

I think they look better now that the JM is gone. How they fit your hand is all that really matters anyway.

eb07 · Jan 30, 2024

MelvinWalker said:
So I buy this really nice 686 parts kit awhile back with these well made walnut but custom initialed grips...They had "JM" and a lightning bolt... This morning, I decided to refinish them and get rid of that obnoxious letters and logo and turn them into something generic.

When I got done with the last sanding of 3000 grit, I applied stain and let dry before polyurethane, which I have yet to do...I thought they looked high quality, but I didn't want somebody's silly custom initials on my K/L frame grips.

After doing all of this, I just googled the grips and I found out that they are or were Jerry Miculek custom walnut grips....Now they are just walnut grips....I'm kinda sick right now. I would if Jerry would re-engrave them for me?

I need a drink now...

You cannot take it with you. They look good. You changed them to your liking. Enjoy them.

Yaworski · Jan 30, 2024

MelvinWalker said:
If I knew his email address, I would...

Try [email protected]

6string · Jan 30, 2024

What are you upset about, the subjective dollar value of the grips, or some sort of misplaced hero worship?

Your initial instincts were spot on!

All this "American Idol" pop culture consumerism is silly and childish. That logo looked tacky. Your gut told you so and now your grips look better.
Good job!

I wish S&W, not to mention any other of a number of companies, would quit treating the general public as a bunch of children looking to spend their allowance money. Whether it's the "Thunder Ranch" model 21 or those cheesy commemoratives like the Elvis Presley 629, please stop!

By the way, as far as Jerry "re-engraving" them, ....he didn't engrave them in the first place!

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

6string said:
What are you upset about, the subjective dollar value of the grips, or some sort of misplaced hero worship?

The value of the grips only...New they sell for over $100, used probably an easy $60 I would guess on Ebay before I refinished them to someone interested in having those particular grips on their gun...I am not fond of them either way, and I don't own a round butt L frame anyway. The round butt 686 they came from is in very nice shape and I could tell the gun had been cared for before it was demilled.

I like Jerry's personality and skills but not hero worship as for these grips in and of themselves.. I just wished I had sold them as original rather than wasted time taking value away from them....Basically, it was very unlike me to not search what the logo was before I started refinishing.

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

Yaworski said:
Try [email protected]

I sent him an email....If he signs them, I will buy a round butt L frame and install them.

murphydog · Jan 30, 2024

I like them with or without the logo and JM doesn’t really need the advertisement.

AJ · Jan 30, 2024

Are you happy with them? Since they came in the parts kits, the cost is negligible. Just use them and be happy.

mikerjf · Jan 30, 2024

You can tell people they are now “Just Mine”!

thadheth · Jan 30, 2024

Original Jerry Miculek grips did not have any engraving on them. They looked just like what you produced. I had a pair (manufactured circa 2007), and sold them a couple of years ago in the original package.

Bald1 · Jan 30, 2024

Are you implying the were his personal grips? As in he owned and used them? Because I think it’s just a product he endorsed. Just like the funky red and blue ones you can buy. I think they are 100% better without the initials

MelvinWalker · Jan 30, 2024

Bald1 said:
Are you implying the were his personal grips? As in he owned and used them? Because I think it’s just a product he endorsed. Just like the funky red and blue ones you can buy. I think they are 100% better without the initials

No, I think they are from his product line...They look to be very good quality American walnut. Probably above average quality control, but the "JM" and lightning bolt added a trademark percentage to the price.

This is how you spend 2 hours and ruin $100 grips

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads