CS9 Grip Mod, Parts Assembly

D

db4570

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
151
Reaction score
65
I had a pair of factory plastic grips, from a 3913 I think, that I was able to modify to fit nicely on my CS9 as long as the plastic bushing that covers the bottom of the hammer spring is removed, along with the bottom plastic heel piece of the grip it fits into. Right now the bushing is just sitting on top of the pin at the bottom of the grip. That pin is not long enough to go through the grips themselves, so I will need to change that, too.

So what other pieces do I need to finish this off? Are there parts from other guns that I can get to fit?

Thanks for any help!

David
 
Register to hide this ad
Call Hogue and ask them to send you the little-black-plastic-threaded-thingy-that the hammer spring fits in to. They'll know what you need. Be sure to tell them it is for a 3d gen S&W.
On the Hogue grips, this piece not only supports the hammer spring, but it connects the two grip panels. In your case, I would put this block in place on the frame with the hammer spring then snap the (shortened) 3913 grip over it. I *think* the grips will hold the block in place without drilling the grips for a pin. The grips fit pretty snuggly without the pin, but you may have to drill the grips for a pin - it is tough to get this hole in exactly the right place. I think I would try drilling a slightly oversize hole to line up with the threaded inserts in the plastic block then use screws. If you use screws, it takes a 6x32 thread and you'll find a variety of head styles at Home Depot, but you'll have to cut them to length.
Good luck, I have modified a number of Crimson Trace grips to fit other models and it is the little details like this that make it difficult. By the time you ruin a set of grips then build a jig to drill them, you may find the Big Dog grips are a bargain. <G>
 
Thanks for replying, Hill Country

I may not have clearly described what I was doing. The grips I am trying to put on are the factory single-piece hard plastic grip, not Hogues. The gummy Hogues are what's on it originally. Re-reading my original post I see that I erroneously described the grip I am modifying as a "pair" of grips. It's actually a single piece.

I think the "little-black-plastic-threaded-thingy-that the hammer spring fits in to" you describe is what I originally had with the CS9 factory Hogue gummy grips. I need something similar, but that will fit with the modified 3913 grip.

Sorry if I am not following this or describing it very well. I appreciate any help you can give me.

David
 
The cup piece at the bottom of the main spring is called the Main Spring Plunger. The one that comes with the CS9 is plastic. That piece should fit into the cut out in the bottom of the factory grips. If it doesn't you'll need the plunger from a 3913, S&W part 239020000. Numrich lists it as out of stock, so you'll have to call S&W directly to see if they have it. The grip pin part number is 106070000.

I've heard of people who have cut out the cup on the factory grips and used the Hogue piece, but I can't vouch for that method.
 
If part # 239020000 is what you need, Midway has it for $4.29.
 
db4570 said:
Thanks for replying, Hill Country

I may not have clearly described what I was doing. The grips I am trying to put on are the factory single-piece hard plastic grip, not Hogues. The gummy Hogues are what's on it originally. Re-reading my original post I see that I erroneously described the grip I am modifying as a "pair" of grips. It's actually a single piece.

I think the "little-black-plastic-threaded-thingy-that the hammer spring fits in to" you describe is what I originally had with the CS9 factory Hogue gummy grips. I need something similar, but that will fit with the modified 3913 grip.

Sorry if I am not following this or describing it very well. I appreciate any help you can give me.

David
Click to expand...

David - I understood that you were cutting down a 3913 grip to fit a CS9. When you do that you cut off the "socket" in the stock grip that supports the hammer spring. You can solve the problem by taking the piece that holds the Hogues in place (I didn't realize that you already had that) and using that piece with the cut down 3913 grip. You should be able to use the stock spring and cup. The block (I think Hogue calls in an insert) is usually a tight fit on the **** on the bottom of the frame, but you can pin it if you want. The problem you may run in to is securing the (modified) grips. You can either drill it for a pin or drill it for screws which will attach to the Hogue "insert". You may have to modify the "insert" a bit to make it fit inside the plastic grips, but it is easy to work with a sander or file.
 
Last edited:
GaryS said:
The cup piece at the bottom of the main spring is called the Main Spring Plunger. The one that comes with the CS9 is plastic. That piece should fit into the cut out in the bottom of the factory grips. If it doesn't you'll need the plunger from a 3913, S&W part 239020000. Numrich lists it as out of stock, so you'll have to call S&W directly to see if they have it. The grip pin part number is 106070000.

I've heard of people who have cut out the cup on the factory grips and used the Hogue piece, but I can't vouch for that method.
Click to expand...

Gary - the 39xx and CS9 frame is identical in this area except the CS9 is shorter. If he cuts off the "socket" in the 3913 grip he will need something to support the mainspring - and also a hole to secure the grips. The spring and plunger will fit perfectly with the Hogue insert. The problem will be in securing the grips - the hole has to be perfectly aligned with the frame to make the grips "snap" in to place.
 
Hill_Country said:
Gary - the 39xx and CS9 frame is identical in this area except the CS9 is shorter. If he cuts off the "socket" in the 3913 grip he will need something to support the mainspring - and also a hole to secure the grips. The spring and plunger will fit perfectly with the Hogue insert. The problem will be in securing the grips - the hole has to be perfectly aligned with the frame to make the grips "snap" in to place.
Click to expand...

I see that from looking at my CS9. It seems that cutting the socket in the 3913 grips will allow them to fit, but as you point out, getting the hole in the bottom of the grips to line up is going to be tricky. The more I look at this, the more I can see why Big Dog grips cost what they do! :D
 
GaryS said:
getting the hole in the bottom of the grips to line up is going to be tricky. :D
Click to expand...

It can be done, but will require a jig to align the drill and hold the grips open. I would suggest that instead of drilling a hole for the pin (like the stock S&W grips use), I would drill a hole to line up with the threaded Hogue insert. That way the hole could be just a bit oversize to allow for alignment and the screws could be tightened down once everything was in place.

This is one of the difficulties I went through to mod the CT grips, but I think the Delrin grips will be tougher to make a jig for than the CT's. The OP better budget for some extra grips to make mistakes on.

As you say, the BD grips may be less expensive for a one off.
 
First, thanks to everyone for trying to help me with this.

Second, yes, I am realizing that Big Dog earns every nickel he charges. In fact, after fooling around with it some more tonight and having the Mainspring and Plunger shoot off across my basement, ricochet off the floor joist and drop down into the void in my cinder block wall, I may be his biggest endorser.

Third. I originally didn't think I needed the Plunger referenced from Midway because I already had it with the factory Hogues. So much for that plan.

Fourth. Anyone have a model number and source for the Mainspring?

Fifth. I don't understand using the Hogue Insert for the Plunger to sit in. That Hogue Insert won't fit in these 3913 grips no matter how much I grind away on the grips. So I was making a slimmed-down version of it out of plastic that would just sit on top of the grip pin. (I was test fitting this piece when everything let loose across my basement.)

I'm missing something. That Hogue Insert has me flummoxed, as far as how to make it fit. At least I have some time to examine my now-non-functional gun while I wait for the replacement parts to come in.

I really appreciate all the help, and welcome any other suggestions.

Thanks!

David
 
Numrich has it for $8.00, listed as in stock. Midway has it on clearance for $2.93, with one left. Midway doesn't list the CS9 itself, but the CS9D for that part. I took a look at the S&W parts list and it shows the same part number for both parts. You can also call S&W to see if they have it. Their part number is 263200000. They list 239020000 for the plunger.
 
I found the spring and plunger at S&W itself. So they are on their way. I still need a pin from a 3913 so I can pin everything through the grip, after I figure out how to drill that extremely-difficult-to-position hole.

I still can't figure out what the plunger is seated in when guys modify the plastic 3913 grips to fit on the CS9. Is there a plunger seat/heelpiece that the pin goes through that will fit in the plastic grips? Do you guys modify the one that came with the factory Hogue gummies and use it?

I am now wondering if when I was milling out the inside of the plastic 3913 grip to make it fit, if I took out part of the structure that actually served this purpose. I forget exactly what it looked like originally.

David
 
I think I have a couple of extra 3913/14 grips hanging around. If you need one, PM me. I prefer the feel of the Hogues and have change all of mine out for them. If you can't use the Hogue adapter, then you are going to need to figure out how to modify the pocket in the OEM grips.

I can't help you with what needs to be done, because frankly it's baffled me to the point where if I were looking for a 3913 style grip I'd just buy Big Dogs!



db4570 said:
I found the spring and plunger at S&W itself. So they are on their way. I still need a pin from a 3913 so I can pin everything through the grip, after I figure out how to drill that extremely-difficult-to-position hole.

I still can't figure out what the plunger is seated in when guys modify the plastic 3913 grips to fit on the CS9. Is there a plunger seat/heelpiece that the pin goes through that will fit in the plastic grips? Do you guys modify the one that came with the factory Hogue gummies and use it?

I am now wondering if when I was milling out the inside of the plastic 3913 grip to make it fit, if I took out part of the structure that actually served this purpose. I forget exactly what it looked like originally.

David
Click to expand...
 
The way I did mine was to take out the mainspring and get the delrin grip to fit the bare frame. I had to trim the "hooks" at the front of the grip... they're too long. Then you need to dremel the back side where the mainspring goes. Once that is done you sand/grind the plastic mainspring holder that came with the Hogue grip to make it as small as possible while still holding the mainspring and cup. Then install the mainspring and with the dremel redo the inside of the grip to fit over the modified Hogue piece. When that is done remove the Hogue piece... install the grip and mark the hole where the grip pin goes... Probably the most difficult part of the mod!!! I think I "guessed" on the outside of one side then with a tiny drill bit in a pin vise drilled through. When I was satisfied with the location I put the grip back on and with the tiny drill went thru the first side and while looking into the opening in the butt of the grip I "precision" lined up the second side and drilled that hole using the pin vise and tiny drill. Then, because the second hole is more accurate than the first, I drilled the correct size hole for the pin thru that hole with the grip removed from the frame... naturally. then by eyeball I squared up the drill thru the hole I just made in side 2 and drilled side 1 to correct for my "guessing" on the first hole.

The second one went much easier than the first!
Good luck.
 
Thanks for the detailed information, Tom 45.

I think my first problem was keeping the Hogue mainspring holder insert in when I was trying to fit the grip. By the time I realized it was going to be too big as is, I may have removed too much structure from the grip itself. It sounds like I definitely need to use a trimmed down version of this Hogue insert, yes? The delrin grip itself didn't have such a pocket?

I am hesitating to grind down the original Hogue insert because I want to be able to keep this gun so it can easily go back to 100% original. Maybe I'll find another Hogue insert to screw up... I mean modify... to fit. I also have some nice black Nylon plastic block material that I might try to make one out of.

Your method for drilling the pin hole sounds like what I was thinking. Drill a small one first, which can then be re-positioned slightly for the final drill. I am fooling around with a milling table on my drill press, and that might be the ticket for this.

I hope Big Dog is getting a kick out of watching this struggle unfold. If I ruin a grip or two and waste about another 100 hours on this project, I may be ordering one from him... But I haven't given up yet!

Thanks again for the help!

David
 
db4570 said:
I think my first problem was keeping the Hogue mainspring holder insert in when I was trying to fit the grip. By the time I realized it was going to be too big as is, I may have removed too much structure from the grip itself. It sounds like I definitely need to use a trimmed down version of this Hogue insert, yes? The delrin grip itself didn't have such a pocket?

I am hesitating to grind down the original Hogue insert because I want to be able to keep this gun so it can easily go back to 100% original. Maybe I'll find another Hogue insert to screw up... I mean modify... to fit. I also have some nice black Nylon plastic block material that I might try to make one out of.
Click to expand...

I think Tom45 has the drilling figured out - that's the hard part.

The delrin grip should have had the pocket, but didn't you cut that off when you shortened the grip?

You can make the Hogue part fit, but it takes some work. I use them to make Crimson Trace grips and trimming the block and relieving the inside of the grips is what it is all about. I use a belt sander on the block - you won't have to trim your fingernails for a while, either. If you screw up the blocks, Hogue will sell you extras (you'll need them <G>).
 
tom 45 said:
The way I did mine was to take out the mainspring and get the delrin grip to fit the bare frame. I had to trim the "hooks" at the front of the grip... they're too long. Then you need to dremel the back side where the mainspring goes. Once that is done you sand/grind the plastic mainspring holder that came with the Hogue grip to make it as small as possible while still holding the mainspring and cup. Then install the mainspring and with the dremel redo the inside of the grip to fit over the modified Hogue piece. When that is done remove the Hogue piece... install the grip and mark the hole where the grip pin goes... Probably the most difficult part of the mod!!! I think I "guessed" on the outside of one side then with a tiny drill bit in a pin vise drilled through. When I was satisfied with the location I put the grip back on and with the tiny drill went thru the first side and while looking into the opening in the butt of the grip I "precision" lined up the second side and drilled that hole using the pin vise and tiny drill. Then, because the second hole is more accurate than the first, I drilled the correct size hole for the pin thru that hole with the grip removed from the frame... naturally. then by eyeball I squared up the drill thru the hole I just made in side 2 and drilled side 1 to correct for my "guessing" on the first hole.

The second one went much easier than the first!
Good luck.
Click to expand...

This!!!!! Following Tom's general method here, I just successfully completed modifying some delrin grips for my CS9. Took a bit too much off the back inside of the grips and probably off the Hogue adapter too, but it seems to work fine and the grip pin holes turned out great!

I drilled the holes on the frame of the gun and added a brass tube section to the inside of the frame holes for protection. Started with a 1/16" to find the first hole, widened it out with that bit on a dremel until I could fit a 3/32" through it, which happened to be a good fit inside the brass tube. I then took a file and dulled the edges all along a 3/32" drill bit except for the last mm, and put some tw25b on the shaft. I inserted that into the grip hole and gave the dremel a quick bump on-off and it was through, all lined up. I left the brass tubes in and the grip on, then carefully used first a 1/8 then a 9/64 by hand to finalize the hole size. Took the grips off and tube out, then carefully cleaned it up with a round file, and BAM - she fits!

Will have to take her to the range and really test it, but I believe it was a success. Many thanks to Tom for showing the way here. With Big Dog not making grips right now, DIY was my only option. Good luck to anybody else who tackles this!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

6
  • Locked
SOLD - Eagle Secret Service grips for Colt D frames
Replies
1
Views
783
642Fan
6
quinn
Grip Alignment Pin on a Pre War N frame
Replies
11
Views
1K
AudieMurphy
A
C
M&P 2.0 Performance Center Crimson Trace Grips
Replies
0
Views
67
ConcussionFirearms
C
valkeriesilk
Juggernaut Tactical Featureless Grip M&P AR-10 Lower
Replies
1
Views
106
valkeriesilk
valkeriesilk
Gun Relics
Custom Case Interior Part 1
Replies
2
Views
219
Truckman
Truckman

Latest posts

Back
Top