Fine fitting a set of grips(stocks)?

[Rule3]

I bought a set of SW N frame square butt target grips.When installed, there is a very tiny gap(1/16-1/8") in the center front. Probably not enough for "normal" folks to worry about but hey, I'm anal and OCD It's a stainless gun, and I have read some after market gun grip info, that the stainless can vary just a bit.

With the grips off the gun and pressed together, there is not gap

Anyway how do I get them to fit tighter? Sand the outer edges which might make the gap bigger? Sand the inside recessed area? Pound the gun frame into submission with a ball peen hammer?

I am sure it's trial and error, but where to start?

 

[Bailey Boat]

I would say that like any other "hair line" fitting job, you'll need to scribe them to the frame and remove any material that is "proud" and keeping the low spots from fitting properly. I wouldn't think that modifying the frame would be the correct path since the grips are the easier of the 2 to change and can be easily replaced if screwed up.....

 

[Marksman]

If the gap between your grips is as big as you say, you have a rather sizeable gap. To put your estimated measurements into perspectibve, a 1/16" gap would be about the width of the cardboard on the back of a writing pad and a 1/8" would be about the size of a pencil lead. Before you start working on the grips, check the grip pin in the bottom of the frame for being centered. Dodes it project the same amount on either side of the grip frame? If not tap it until it does. Next check the holes in the grip panels that this pin engages, do they appear to be of sufficient depth? Is there a bit of finish in the bottom? Put one grip at a time on the frame and check that the inside of the frame is contacting the inside of the grip panel. If all is well thus far, another spot to check is the curved portion of the grip which fills the space between the triger guard and the frame. Sometimes the factory machining leaves a little too much wood in this area or there is a build up of finish in this area. Once you've identified an area of wood that needs adjusting, you need to get yourself a sanding block to back up your sandpaper. I use Art Gum erasers that I purchase two in a pack at WallyWorld, they're just the right size for the job. cut your sandpaper in strips as wide as the eraser, then in length enough to wrap around the eraser long ways. Hold the eraser with the sandpaper wrapped around it between your thumb and fingers and sand whatever high spots you've identified. When you think you've located the trouble spot, gently sand the finish off. Get some of the wife's/gf's lipstick and apply to the guns grip frame and install the grips tightening the grip screw with the normal amount of pressure. Overtighterning can warp the grip and give false readings. Remove the rips and by trial and error sand away the red high spots until the grips fit the way you'd like them to. When they're well fitted you should see a unifrom red impression of the grip frame's contact. Hope this helps.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the tips. I was kidding about the frame smashing

I have scribed cabinets to the wall. How do you scribe grips?

My estimate of the gap may be off. Maybe it's a 1/32 I will pull it out of the safe and double check the things you mentioned.
My wife doe not wear much lipstick so I will have to use mine.(kidding also)

 

[Rule3]

A picture is worth........

The gap is the thickness of a sheet of copy paper. Maybe it will just warp itself here in the humidity.

 

[Bailey Boat]

Based on the new pics, the inletting OR the locating pin holes may not be deep enough. As pointed out by Marksman, check for excess finish first (that would be the easy fix) and then check for inletting/pin hole depth. Have you tried these grips on another gun????

 

[VM]

That gap is very common in a lot of grips.
In my house a sheet of paper is about .003" thick.
I'd put those on a gun, tighten the screw snug and forget about them. They will probably be fine in a month or two. That is not a big enough gap to start removing wood [IMO].

 

[JSR III]

Have you tried wood putty? Only kidding. If you don't have lipstick, you can take a candle and soot up the frame and then install the stocks. Like the lipstick suggestion, look for areas on the stock wood that have black soot on them. Lightly sand that area until the soot is gone. Put the stocks back on and check again for fit. Keep doing that process until you get the fit that you want. It really shouldn't take that much to adjust out a paper thin gap. Just be carefull sanding near the stock edge, remove too much and that will show up as a gap too.

As someone else suggested, also check the pin holes and make sure that they are deep enough. Take a small drill bit and use it as a depth guage. Mark it with a flare pen and then hold it against the pin. If the holes on either side are not deep enough, take a pin size dril bit and hand drill out the hole. Probably a couple of turns and you will clean out the finish or wood that is the problem. Be careful using an electric drilll as you could push too deep and come out the other side.

 

[Rule3]

That gap is very common in a lot of grips.
In my house a sheet of paper is about .003" thick.
I'd put those on a gun, tighten the screw snug and forget about them. They will probably be fine in a month or two. That is not a big enough gap to start removing wood [IMO].

You probably have the best solution. Do nothing Might end up screwing something up.

The grips came from California, maybe after being on the gun for a while here in the humidity they may just "form fit"

Thanks