Browning Medalist Grips

[John_M52]

Hi all,

I have my dad's browning and recently found a box from Commemorative Arms with a set of grips with a larger thumb rest and thicker than what is on the pistol. Probably from the early 70's but IDK. I called CA and an older sounding gentleman answered "Hello?" I thought I dialed wrong but we had a short pleasant chat and he said if they came from him they are for a browning but didn't know anything else.

Any idea which is original, if either? I don't know if they were ordered and never used or what. My father had larger hands so that's what I am going to assume. He used to use plumbers putty to "customize" his grips for bullseye.

 

[22hipower]

Have you tried the larger set to see if they'll fit? I have a Medalist and an extra set of International Medalist grips and they do not interchange; at least I haven't been able to make them fit. I'm not at home so can't compare what I have with your pictures but there are at least four different grip styles that were used with the Medalist and International Medalist version.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[John_M52]

Have you tried the larger set to see if they'll fit? I have a Medalist and an extra set of International Medalist grips and they do not interchange; at least I haven't been able to make them fit. I'm not at home so can't compare what I have with your pictures but there are at least four different grip styles that were used with the Medalist and International Medalist version.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I'll have to give that a try. Maybe that's why they are still like new in the box!

 

[Old_Cop]

A friend of mine had Browning which I shot in a few winter league matches. They were really quite beautiful. My CWO recommended that I get a HS or S&W 41.

 

[AJ]

The unmounted grips are the same as are on my Medalist. A friend has three Medalists and his Sister & B-I-L have one. All have the same as mine. Have never seen the ones that are on your pistol before. Are there any marking on those?

 

[John_M52]

After a significant amount of encouragement I was able to get the wider thumb rest grip on the pistol. It was so tight that it bound the slide stop so that it wouldn't move.

Maybe to be expected from a natural product after 50 years. It did have a wood block spacer to keep them from moving/warping but I guess not enough.

Bottom grip is the one I found in the box from CA.

Not sure what the international version is. This one was made in Belgium but I assume you're not talking Belgium/US.

 

[John_M52]

AJ - here are the markings on the skinny grips. They are a slightly different color and grain than the wide ones so maybe aftermarket? The wide ones match the wood under the barrel.

Old Cop - I had a Ruger and my father said sell that and gave me a HS. Then he said sell that here's a M41!

 

[22hipower]

Not sure what the international version is. This one was made in Belgium but I assume you're not talking Belgium/US.

No, both made in Belgium but the International version was slightly different. If you Google it you can easily find pictures/descriptions of the differences. In my case, the International grips will almost fit. . . .but not quite. Probably can make them fit by relieving a little wood but never got around to it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[AJ]

After a significant amount of encouragement I was able to get the wider thumb rest grip on the pistol. It was so tight that it bound the slide stop so that it wouldn't move.

Maybe to be expected from a natural product after 50 years. It did have a wood block spacer to keep them from moving/warping but I guess not enough.

Bottom grip is the one I found in the box from CA.

Not sure what the international version is. This one was made in Belgium but I assume you're not talking Belgium/US.

AJ - here are the markings on the skinny grips. They are a slightly different color and grain than the wide ones so maybe aftermarket? The wide ones match the wood under the barrel.

Old Cop - I had a Ruger and my father said sell that and gave me a HS. Then he said sell that here's a M41!

If you are good at wood working, then I would open the grips up until they fit. If not find a good stockmaker, some one who will not screw them up. The last time I dealt with Commemoratve Arms was for some Medalist barrel weights. Back then he wanted about $300+ for each panel, not I see P.O.R. on his website. Them grips are pricey!!!

 

[John_M52]

If you are good at wood working, then I would open the grips up until they fit. If not find a good stockmaker, some one who will not screw them up. The last time I dealt with Commemoratve Arms was for some Medalist barrel weights. Back then he wanted about $300+ for each panel, not I see P.O.R. on his website. Them grips are pricey!!!

Yes I will open them up and refinish the inside as needed. Had no idea on prices.

And to think when my father passed I looked at the Browning and said to my wife - I have a 41 maybe I should give this to my brother. She said "are you kidding, that's beautiful, put it in your safe."

 

[AJ]

Yes I will open them up and refinish the inside as needed. Had no idea on prices.

And to think when my father passed I looked at the Browning and said to my wife - I have a 41 maybe I should give this to my brother. She said "are you kidding, that's beautiful, put it in your safe."

John,

I have had a couple of 41's, Colt Woodsman Matches, all of the HS target pistols and a couple of Walther GSP's, these are all gone. I have kept my Medalist and a Walther OSP. Just love shooting them. The Medalist is like putting on a comfortable glove when you pick it up, just feels good to me. The Walther OSP is not far behind and is a hoot since it is .22 Short. Enjoy your Medalist.

 

[John_M52]

John,

I have had a couple of 41's, Colt Woodsman Matches, all of the HS target pistols and a couple of Walther GSP's, these are all gone. I have kept my Medalist and a Walther OSP. Just love shooting them. The Medalist is like putting on a comfortable glove when you pick it up, just feels good to me. The Walther OSP is not far behind and is a hoot since it is .22 Short. Enjoy your Medalist.

AJ, Thank you Sir, wilco.

 

[4T5GUY]

That’s too funny that things at Commemorative Arms hasn’t changed.

I called years ago and had the same experience. “Hello?” Nothing else. After an introduction by me I asked for what I wanted/needed. “Yep.” Is it original NOS? ‘Yep. that’s all we sell.”

No doubt your dad called them for what he wanted and got it. What he got then and you have now is really special.

Don’t do any finish removal/sanding on any visible area. Spot finishing isn’t an option. Browning was using French Walnut which is a light colored wood with dark strains/areas.

I’m still trying to refinish my ‘69 Challenger grip just to get close to factory original. Pictured is it stripped with a first coat of Tru Oil as suggested. NOPE starting over. The other image is another, (not mine,) ‘69 Challenger. Mine originally was not that dark/shiny shiny and with different checkering. Stain and wax?

Jim

 

[John_M52]

That’s too funny that things at Commemorative Arms hasn’t changed.

I called years ago and had the same experience. “Hello?” Nothing else. After an introduction by me I asked for what I wanted/needed. “Yep.” Is it original NOS? ‘Yep. that’s all we sell.”

No doubt your dad called them for what he wanted and got it. What he got then and you have now is really special.

Don’t do any finish removal/sanding on any visible area. Spot finishing isn’t an option. Browning was using French Walnut which is a light colored wood with dark strains/areas.

I’m still trying to refinish my ‘69 Challenger grip just to get close to factory original. Pictured is it stripped with a first coat of Tru Oil as suggested. NOPE starting over. The other image is another, (not mine,) ‘69 Challenger. Mine originally was not that dark/shiny shiny and with different checkering. Stain and wax?

Jim

Hi Jim,

I just need to remove a bit where the grip hits the slide stop, then I figure some tung oil on the bare wood that I remove. The finish is really high gloss almost like a thick clear plastic coating. I assume sprayed because I don't know how you get a finish with not one bubble or imperfection with a brush - at least I can't. Good luck with yours and thanks for the response!

 

[Walter Rego]

For those that are not familiar with the Browning Medalist, here is how they were originally shipped. The cost was $112.95 on this one back in 1963. That is equivalent to almost $1050.00 today.

Removing the forend allows the barrel weight mounting adapter to fit in a dovetail cut on the bottom of the barrel, and then you can add one of three different weights if you want to change the balance to your preference. It also comes with a small pin that fits into the top of the right hand stock that acts as a shell deflector, and manipulating the safety a certain way allows for dry firing practice without damage to the firing pin or breech face.

They were certainly a unique target pistol.

 

[AJ]

For those that are not familiar with the Browning Medalist, here is how they were originally shipped. The cost was $112.95 on this one back in 1963. That is equivalent to almost $1050.00 today.

Removing the forend allows the barrel weight mounting adapter to fit in a dovetail cut on the bottom of the barrel, and then you can add one of three different weights if you want to change the balance to your preference. It also comes with a small pin that fits into the top of the right hand stock that acts as a shell deflector, and manipulating the safety a certain way allows for dry firing practice without damage to the firing pin or breech face.

They were certainly a unique target pistol.

Medalists in 100% with a case and all the bells and whistles round around $1500.00 here, when you can find one.

 

[John_M52]

For those that are not familiar with the Browning Medalist, here is how they were originally shipped. The cost was $112.95 on this one back in 1963. That is equivalent to almost $1050.00 today.

Removing the forend allows the barrel weight mounting adapter to fit in a dovetail cut on the bottom of the barrel, and then you can add one of three different weights if you want to change the balance to your preference. It also comes with a small pin that fits into the top of the right hand stock that acts as a shell deflector, and manipulating the safety a certain way allows for dry firing practice without damage to the firing pin or breech face.

They were certainly a unique target pistol.

Wow that's a beauty. I don't have box, papers, weights or other accessories, just two mags. But I did get the wider grips installed and took it to the range today. Shot beautifully.

I have the pin and it seems to have been stuck in with beeswax or something gummy - either that or the glue has gone soft.

 

[Walter Rego]

The shell deflector pin is just a friction fit although I could see someone using something sticky to keep it from falling out and getting lost. I think the idea was to keep you from pelting the next competitor on the firing line with fired brass, it's not really necessary for shooting in most situations.

The spare factory magazines are quite pricey, they often sell for close to $150 when they come up on ebay. I know most people disparage them but I have an extra Triple K magazine that works just fine in both my Medalist and Browning Challenger which use the same magazines.

 

[Andyd]

The grips on the gun are for the International Medalist 150, the second grip is for the Medalist.