3rd Gen grip improvement

[AJ59]

I haven't been on here for quite a while. I think last time I posted some photos of one of my revolvers. Anyway, I have two 3rd gen pistols. A 5943 and a recently purchased 4566. I have short fingers and a wide palm. The 3rd gen pistols fit my hands well so that is what I have as far as semi autos go. I have tried a couple different routes to improve the feel of the grips. Love the Hogues, however, they are too thick for me. I thought I would post what I have done and hopefully it will help in at least improving the grip for some of you. I first tried some of the 3M traction tape which works well but is very abrasive to clothing. I ended up ordering some of the adhesive backed rubber grip material from Caloosa Tactical off ebay. I then made a rubbing of the side and back panel of the grip with a pencil and paper with two-sided scotch tape to hold the paper in place. I cut the rubber grip sheet and used it for the side panels and used the 3M traction tape for the rear panel and front strap of the frame on the 5943. On the 4566 I only used the 3M for the rear of the grip as the front strap is checked. The grips that fit my hand are the straight grip. I did the same to the curved grip in the photo for the 5943. A couple of cuts are necessary to make the tape fit the curve. I used a heat gun and carefully warmed up the grip material which made it adhere very well. It takes a little while to do this but it's worth the time to me. Hopefully this will help someone to improve the slickness of these factory grips. I did use a brand new grip and cleaned them with rubbing alcohol before I started. As the tape warms it can be stretched slightly and am pleased with the result. Thanks.

 

[SMSgt]

Hope it works for you. Nice job. I haven't found gripping any gun to be a problem needing a solution.

 

[18DAI]

Very nice work! Thanks for the info. I have been using rubber grip sleeves, over the OEM Delrin grips.

I like your solution better. I will order some of that rubber grip material and give it a try. But I am doubtful it will come out looking as good as yours!

Nice 4566TSW too. The rail free versions are hard to come by. I want one just like it! Regards 18DAI

 

[hammy5150]

I have kind of the same problem since the straight back grips are perfect for me and Hogues are too big and change the backstrap not to my liking, so I used talon grip tape on a beat up set of 45/10 grips. My cuts are significantly cruder than yours though.

 

[squidsix]

I use a soldering iron and stipple the factory grips. I make them more aggressive and then sand the points down a touch to prevent them snagging on my clothes.

 

[RufusG]

Nice work!

 

[AJ59]

Thanks, they work good for me. I haven't been brave enough yet to do the soldering gun stippling. Will practice on another piece of like plastic first. Definitely something I want to try. I'm fortunate to have found the 4566. A friend of mine has had it in his little gun shop for over a year. He doesn't advertise and is in an out of the way place. I've been on the fence about buying it. I really like it and once I got it home and apart I realized it had not been used much. Only one I have ever seen.

 

[03hemi]

I haven't been on here for quite a while. I think last time I posted some photos of one of my revolvers. Anyway, I have two 3rd gen pistols. A 5943 and a recently purchased 4566. I have short fingers and a wide palm. The 3rd gen pistols fit my hands well so that is what I have as far as semi autos go. I have tried a couple different routes to improve the feel of the grips. Love the Hogues, however, they are too thick for me. I thought I would post what I have done and hopefully it will help in at least improving the grip for some of you. I first tried some of the 3M traction tape which works well but is very abrasive to clothing. I ended up ordering some of the adhesive backed rubber grip material from Caloosa Tactical off ebay. I then made a rubbing of the side and back panel of the grip with a pencil and paper with two-sided scotch tape to hold the paper in place. I cut the rubber grip sheet and used it for the side panels and used the 3M traction tape for the rear panel and front strap of the frame on the 5943. On the 4566 I only used the 3M for the rear of the grip as the front strap is checked. The grips that fit my hand are the straight grip. I did the same to the curved grip in the photo for the 5943. A couple of cuts are necessary to make the tape fit the curve. I used a heat gun and carefully warmed up the grip material which made it adhere very well. It takes a little while to do this but it's worth the time to me. Hopefully this will help someone to improve the slickness of these factory grips. I did use a brand new grip and cleaned them with rubbing alcohol before I started. As the tape warms it can be stretched slightly and am pleased with the result. Thanks.

I have to admit, I really like the look of those inserts you made over the tiny checkers that's in them now. Great job!

 

[kwb377]

Nicely done.

 

[AJ59]

Thanks all. Appreciate the comments. I've tried different semi autos over the last few years. Kept these two and my 1911. They fit my hands better than any others.

 

[4506517]

Wow!

That looks great!

Nicely done sir!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I use a soldering iron and stipple the factory grips. I make them more aggressive and then sand the points down a touch to prevent them snagging on my clothes.

Me too; on double stack 69xx, 59xx and 915s ....where there is checkering.... mine have kind of a fish scale pattern.

On single stack guns (39xx and 45xx) I utilize Hogue checkered wood or rubber grips.

 

[Green Frog]

My solution to the Gen 3 grip problem was to base my build on a Gen 2 frame. (I know, Snarky Comment!) I can buy, alter or make whatever grips I want for it. Also, virtually all desirable Gen 3 parts fit the Gen 2 frame with little or no alteration. I just wish S&W hadn’t discontinued these guns so long ago.

Froggie

 

[DMcBB]

I can buy, alter or make whatever grips I want for it.

Froggie

Hi Froggy, how do you make grips? Wood? 3D printer? Modify grips for other pistols?

 

[Green Frog]

Modify (or is it Mortify? ) So far, I’ve been able to make factory grips suit my needs with the smallest of modifications. OTOH, if I do decide I need something special, flat panels are a lot easier to make than wrap arounds like I would need for Gen 3 pistols.

Froggie

 

[AJ59]

Would enjoy seeing a few photos of your work. I would like to own a 2nd gen pistol but the ones I've seen have been out of my reach or looked like they have been dragged behind a truck on the end of a chain.

 

[DMcBB]

Modify (or is it Mortify? ) So far, I’ve been able to make factory grips suit my needs with the smallest of modifications. OTOH, if I do decide I need something special, flat panels are a lot easier to make than wrap arounds like I would need for Gen 3 pistols.

Froggie

What do you use as the starting point? 2nd gen OEM or grips from a different pistol altogether?

 

[Green Frog]

First or second generation 39 Series grips from the factory are reasonably affordable and easy to find... I had to notch one set for the right side lever of an ambi safety. My point was meant to be that making or altering a pair of flat panels is a lot more easily accomplished than building wrap around grips that incorporate the mainspring "housing." This is my biggest gripe with the 3rd Gen pistols, otherwise I see nothing really wrong with them. I really didn't mean to kick over this ants' nest nor to solicit grip work... flat grips are flat grips, and easily worked.

Regards,
Green Frog

 

[squidsix]

This was my winter daily companion. You can see the stippling on the grip. It isnt pretty but it really helps my grip on the gun.
I did it on the sleeved 8-round mag as well. (I carry it with a flush fitting 6-round mag plus one.)

 

[BAM-BAM]

This was my winter daily companion. You can see the stippling on the grip. It isnt pretty but it really helps my grip on the gun.
I did it on the sleeved 8-round mag as well. (I carry it with a flush fitting 6-round mag plus one.)

Nice............
Sorry no pics of mine ..... but I "fish scale" all the checkered areas and "S&W" flag by angling the tip of the soldering iron about 60 degrees with a slight overlap.

The key is to go slow so the grip doesn't warp...... though a warp can be corrected by putting the leading edges (about halfway) in hot water and squeezing the edges together.


Squidsix what holster is that ?? .... I need an extra IWB for the 6915 to leave at the cabin and don't want to spend M Sparks money.