Model 59 grip recommendations

[lihpster]

Just picked up a 59 yesterday. It has Pachmayr Presentation grips on it. They don't fit my hand. Too thick in the wrong place for my hands. Looking to replace them. I also am not fond of rubber and plastic grips. Looking for some wooden grips that are a thinner profile. I have seen the Hogue offerings and I'm leaning toward them. Anybody have any other ideas? Open to custom mades, stag or bonded ivory. I don't care if they're made in a factory or whittled by Tibetan monks using baby beavers as carving tools. This gun has one of the smoothest DA triggers I've ever felt on an auto pistol, but the grip shape is ruining the geometry for me. I think it will become one of my favorites, if I can get the grip right. TIA.

 

[ptf18]

I purchased a set of thinner than Factory grips for a 1911 I have. They are wooden and required different grip screw bushings (came with the grips).

For the life of me I can't recall the outfits name but I'll look around and see what I can come up with if you'd like.

 

[lihpster]

I purchased a set of thinner than Factory grips for a 1911 I have. They are wooden and required different grip screw bushings (came with the grips).

For the life of me I can't recall the outfits name but I'll look around and see what I can come up with if you'd like.

Please. And thank you.

 

[rjm6120]

It looks like fleaBay has some decent looking wood options, but I have no idea of their thickness, etc. Just another option to explore.

 

[jsbethel]

KSD - Smith&Wesson 59 & 459 & 559 & 659 - KSD GRIPS

 

[4T5GUY]

Seems like at least once a month one of us reply to that question. Try Uncle Mikes.

They are thin and allow for a great hold. Even the old looking NOS ones can be refreshed with a quality automotive product. They are cheap enough, (under $20.00 w/free shipping,) so you wouldn’t be out much if you didn’t like them.

Jim

 

[Imissedagain]

The OEM slab grips on my old M59, measure .180" (4.572mm) on top and .170" on the bottom, thickness wise.
The grip screw bushings use a 3/16" hex socket.

Old pic below of black grips.
The Texans are much thicker but you know what they say about Texas.

OEM 1911s are about .270" and the slims about .190" or thereabouts.

Hope that helps.

 

[BC38]

Have you considered the thin black plastic factory grips?
Mine had wood grips when I bought it but I put plastic factory grips on it because they were slimmer.

 

[lihpster]

KSD - Smith&Wesson 59 & 459 & 559 & 659 - KSD GRIPS

Just a warning. Tried to order from that site. After confirming my order and all my info, I got a message saying "Unexpected error. Try again later." Followed immediately by a call from my bank's fraud department. Seems there were 2 charges for the same amount as my grip order. But neither was from a grip store. One was from a "housewares store" and the other was from a "business service". The bank declined the charges, put a hold on my card, and called me. Maybe the issue is on my end or maybe it's on theirs, but someone is getting access to the info and making charges. Buyer beware. I want to make clear I'm not accusing KSD of anything. I think it's someone else. Just watch yourself.

 

[Heymatt]

Looks like Robertson’s has several options listed, including factory, Uncle Mikes and an aftermarket plastic grip.

 

[colt_saa]

Since "Bonded Ivory" is on your list, I have a few pairs of these with different designs on them

They are thinner than the Pachmayrs but probably a tad thicker than factory plastic grips

 

[lihpster]

Since "Bonded Ivory" is on your list, I have a few pairs of these with different designs on them

They are thinner than the Pachmayrs but probably a tad thicker than factory plastic grips

They look good. Got a source?

 

[colt_saa]

They look good. Got a source?

Sorry,
I bought that set more then 25 years ago.

I bought them in a Gun Shop somewhere. I used to go into most gun shops that I passed as I traveled, always looking for the unusual

I can not recall if these were from Eagle, Ajax or Nutmeg. I am pretty sure it was one of those 3 manufactures.

 

[Imissedagain]

I was going to do a few more layups for 1911s that finish at .300" later tonight when the temp is in the 70s, but I'll pull some wood, .4mm-.5mm, and see if they can finish at .180" for the M59s.
Pics below, not great lighting, of some of the wood.
The under construction X frame grips have a 90 degree offset of alternating layers to hopefully prevent backstrap fractures etc etc.

If it works okay I'll send you a pair later this month.
Those bonded ivories are nice and I saw some that were smooth recently on the web.
Maybe VZ or other G10ers make something thin as well.

The Sergeant grip layups are what we were doing decades ago , the incubative years as I discussed with Pachmayr, and the properly curved chevron is what will be used later this year.
One long term goal has always been to make my Sealuge.com kayaks with those thin veneers... cold molding wood instead of fabrics.

 

[lihpster]

I was going to do a few more layups for 1911s that finish at .300" later tonight when the temp is in the 70s, but I'll pull some wood, .4mm-.5mm, and see if they can finish at .180" for the M59s.
Pics below, not great lighting, of some of the wood.
The under construction X frame grips have a 90 degree offset of alternating layers to hopefully prevent backstrap fractures etc etc.

If it works okay I'll send you a pair later this month.
Those bonded ivories are nice and I saw some that were smooth recently on the web.
Maybe VZ or other G10ers make something thin as well.

The Sergeant grip layups are what we were doing decades ago , the incubative years as I discussed with Pachmayr, and the properly curved chevron is what will be used later this year.
One long term goal has always been to make my Sealuge.com kayaks with those thin veneers... cold molding wood instead of fabrics.

If you were to send me a pair that would be awesome! I hope it works. I am not sure of what process you are using. Perhaps you discussed it in another thread?

 

[Imissedagain]

Thin veneers of wood are laminated with West System epoxy and then it's just lumber.
Back in the '70s, when it was called Gougeon Brothers Epoxy, Meade and Jan asked what I was up to besides learning about boat building/naval architecture.
IIRC it was the only epoxy that didn't fail when making large wind turbines for electricity.

I called the early white layups, PMI. Poor Man's Ivory/no dead elephants. lol.
Now they'll be called The 10th Mountain series.
My Dad's division when it was formed in '41.

Grips circa 1980 and new chevron test layup.

I think we can thank Glock for their double stacks making the M59 to no longer feel like holding a 2x4.

 

[lihpster]

Thin veneers of wood are laminated with West System epoxy and then it's just lumber.
Back in the '70s, when it was called Gougeon Brothers Epoxy, Meade and Jan asked what I was up to besides learning about boat building/naval architecture.
IIRC it was the only epoxy that didn't fail when making large wind turbines for electricity.

I called the early white layups, PMI. Poor Man's Ivory/no dead elephants. lol.
Now they'll be called The 10th Mountain series.
My Dad's division when it was formed in '41.

Grips circa 1980 and new chevron test layup.

Ahh. I got ya. Was wondering if you were molding to shape. This makes more sense.
The 10TH Mountain has a well earned reputation for toughness. I'd bet the pioneers were men of steel.
Back in the '70s my grandfather made boats, including 4 tour boats for Crater Lake National Park. One of them was named after him. He extended an existing boat and built 3 from scratch. They replaced them in the early 2000s.

 

[Imissedagain]

I might be molding the two styles of Rogue Wave X frame grips once the masters are completed in a rubberized version, to make them more affordable, or licensing that out and a "super secret colorized process" as well.
The code writing kids in the clan will make those molds to do in house.

I need to live forever.

 

[Imissedagain]

Is it still January?

Working on these and some whiter ones.
Might be best finished at .200" as opposed to .180" because it gets really thin at the area in yellow at .180"
Will keep you updated.

As long as we're here:
the Lady of the house liked your CCH 1911 and 44s beautiful stocks.
As a pro in woman's fashions, now retired, she looked at our colored wood veneers and said to layup something for that 1911 as well.

Will try to get them to you before the Easter Bunny becomes rabbit stew.

The reds are contoured for my hands, still under construction, and for a fun project that requires red grips... on the 460s as well.

 

[lihpster]

Is it still January?

Working on these and some whiter ones.
Might be best finished at .200" as opposed to .180" because it gets really thin at the area in yellow at .180"
Will keep you updated.

As long as we're here:
the Lady of the house liked your CCH 1911 and 44s beautiful stocks.
As a pro in woman's fashions, now retired, she looked at our colored wood veneers and said to layup something for that 1911 as well.

Will try to get them to you before the Easter Bunny becomes rabbit stew.

The reds are contoured for my hands, still under construction, and for a fun project that requires red grips... on the 460s as well.

First, I humbly bow to the Lady of the House and express admiration for her keen eye and generous spirit. Madame, you are a delight!
Second, thanks for keeping after this. I had actually forgotten about it! The grips look great! The process is an interesting one. If you ever build that kayak I want pictures. My grandfather was a boat builder. A very traditional one. Boats are made of WOOD! Fiberglass was the Devil's work. It would be cool to see his mind stagger back and forth between the process and the material. Also, this may seem strange, but do you own a Ruger Redhawk? Just go with it.