Grip assistance...

[phlydude]

Picked up these from ebay...got them for $51 shipped which I felt was a good deal fow what I've seen lately.

Two questions -
#1 - what can I use to clean them without worrying about stripping any finish? Denatured alcohol?
#2 - can anyone determine what type of wood they are?

Going on a blued 19-3 I picked up earlier this year that came with Pachmayr presentation grips that are OK, but according to the box, the gun came with target grips. (see thread - http://smith-wessonforum.com/showthread.php?t=364536 )

Thanks

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[VM]

The wood is Goncalo Alves.
They have been heavily modified and the original finish is long gone.
Acetone will clean them nicely/safely and then you can use whatever finish you like to seal them.

 

[clang444]

yep - at least a 1/4" has been taken off the bottom and then they were rounded around the base.

Try cleaning with acetone, or alcohol, then coat with your favorite finish. Only use 1 coat on the checkering

 

[phlydude]

Thanks...the pictures weren't great in the listing so I figured I'd take a shot...

Altamont grips would have went on it but they kept emailing me telling me what I ordered wasn't in stock and the alternate wasn't either...

Might need to look at Ahrends grips...


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[Huskerguy]

I use some stuff called Formby's Lemon Oil, Furniture Treatment. I just picked up M19-4 and the first thing I did was take the grips off and clean them up with this stuff. I wouldn't say it gets right down and cleans but it does get the grime off and brings out the best in the wood. I am pleased with the several sets I have used this on.

 

[phlydude]

My wife bought that Amish wood milk...might try that before I go the chemical route


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[VM]

My wife bought that Amish wood milk...might try that before I go the chemical route


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I would listen to your wife

 

[phlydude]

Put the grips on...I can feel the where the squared front should be and is now rounded once I grip it.

But overall, it looks ok and the grips fit with no gaps or uneven areas where the grips meet.
Thx!


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[clang444]

Here's what they looked like when they left the factory:

 

[phlydude]

wow, that puts it really in perspective about how butchered these really are...thx

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

wow, that puts it really in perspective about how butchered these really are...thx

Whoever Butchered them did a pretty good job,We have all seen WAY worse

 

[Maximumbob54]

Agree with the above. At least the "modification" was well done.

 

[bananaman]

My wife bought that Amish wood milk...might try that before I go the chemical route


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Is it 2%, or skim? (sorry) Bob

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Whoever Butchered them did a pretty good job,We have all seen WAY worse

Are you kidding? I would have no use for the originals, except to sell them. Yours might be usable, and look OK. Only you, of course, can judge how they fit your hand.

Have fun refinishing, although they don't look bad as is.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I was saying that whoever did the work did a good job,I have seen jobs that turned out far worse.....

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Sorry, 05CarbonDRZ. I meant to quote phlydude.

520

 

[phlydude]

Are you kidding? I would have no use for the originals, except to sell them. Yours might be usable, and look OK. Only you, of course, can judge how they fit your hand.



Have fun refinishing, although they don't look bad as is.

I tend to like a longer grip as my hand is fairly wide - these grips, even when trimmed off the bottom, still give my pinky some slight purchase, but I would get more with the extra length and the squared off end.

Compared to the grips that came on it

 

[zonker5]

I have a set of grips that look just like those. I wonder if these were a limited run from the factory, it doesn't seem likely that there would be more grips modified in the same way.

 

[VM]

I have a set of grips that look just like those. I wonder if these were a limited run from the factory, it doesn't seem likely that there would be more grips modified in the same way.

Z- it was not a Factory modification.
It was done aftermarket and very common with LEO. There are a lot of examples that exist.

 

[corgiS&W]

If you like the grips, then I suggest mineral spirits for the cleanup. Acetone is a bit harsh. Alcohol is okay but wax is dissolved better with mineral spirits. Then use Tru-Oil to refinish them, or an oil-varnish finish like Minwax Antique Oil. Give them several coats with a good rubdown between coats until you get the look you want.