Square to Round Butt Jig

[robotoid]

I seem to recall years ago seeing a jig in the Brownells catalog for round butting a square butt S&W revolver. They don't have it (or I can't find it) anymore. It was a metal piece(s) you put on the butt frame and just ground down the metal to match the jig.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, Brownells did sell this jig. I have one.

 

[dfariswheel]

You can make your own "jig" by using an old pair of round butt grips.
You can either scribe around the grips with a needle scribe and cut and grind down to the line, or just leave the grips in place and grind down to them.

The Brownell's jigs were aluminum which still required you to stop short because the grinder would grind right on into the soft aluminum jigs.

 

[TSQUARED]

Remeber the process iks irreversible and destroys any collector value. Also make usure you do not grind off the serial number. Recently I purchased a S&W 27 in vitually mint condition which had been converted to round but for $300 plus tax.

 

[dkees]

I want to install Crimson Trace grips on a square butt M36 but CT does not make them for the square butt. Would this conversion make it possible to to use the CT grips?

 

[Engine49guy]

I want to install Crimson Trace grips on a square butt M36 but CT does not make them for the square butt. Would this conversion make it possible to to use the CT grips?

I went through a phase where I almost converted a Model 12 SB snub....
Long story short my fellow members convinced me it made more sense to sell the SB and look for a RB....

In the end I did neither but the point is unless your SB M36 is a total basket case you will hurt any resale it has and RB Model 36's are pretty easy to find .

 

[robotoid]

You can make your own "jig" by using an old pair of round butt grips.
You can either scribe around the grips with a needle scribe and cut and grind down to the line, or just leave the grips in place and grind down to them.

The Brownell's jigs were aluminum which still required you to stop short because the grinder would grind right on into the soft aluminum jigs.

Well, I guess if they weren't hardened metal, I might as well just my wood grips as a template then.

As far as collector value, I'm not to concerned. Just 2 old PD turn in SS revolvers.

 

[SPDGG]

This may be what you are looking for. Not sure on the current availability.

Baker Round Butt Fitting Guide S&W K, L-Frame
Baker Round Butt Fitting Guide S&W K, L-Frame - MidwayUSA

1/4" hardened steel plate lets you change a S&W K or L-frame square butt revolver to a round butt model. May require alteration of the strain screw after conversion.

Technical Information

Notes:
1/4" thick hardened steel plate
May require alteration of strain screw
Pattern allows changing square butt revolvers into round butt type

 

[Camster]

"Well, I guess if they weren't hardened metal, I might as well just my wood grips as a template then."

Wood,aluminum,steel,hardened steel......I don't see where any choice is other than a template for scribing.Grinding that will take off frame steel will take off any other material.

 

[robotoid]

Wood,aluminum,steel,hardened steel......I don't see where any choice is other than a template for scribing.Grinding that will take off frame steel will take off any other material.

If they were hardened tool steel, they would not grind as easily as the stainless steel of the frame. I was surprised how soft the stainless steel was on my 681 when I ground/filed/polished some hand engraved lettering off the backstrap.

 

[Camster]

I suppose that the proper procedure is to grind to a center point just above the template,and finish with a file.

 

[revolvergeek]

I want to install Crimson Trace grips on a square butt M36 but CT does not make them for the square butt. Would this conversion make it possible to to use the CT grips?

No, the square butt j-frame is entirely different that a round butt frame. It is a profoundly different thing from the K/L/N round vs. square butt difference. I can get a picture comparing the two if you need one.

 

[dkees]

No thanks on the pix. You've answered my question. Although I presently own 6 M36s they are all square butts (big hands) I guess I won't hatchet one up. As mentioned better to trade for a round butt...

thank you

 

[PINMAN]

Baker Round Butt Jig

I would be interested in buying, renting, borrowing or trading for a set of the Baker Jigs.
If no one has any to part with, would anyone know how to contact the manufacture?
Thanks for any help.

Keep Shootin'

 

[Babalooie]

I was surprised how soft the stainless steel was on my 681 when I ground/filed/polished some hand engraved lettering off the backstrap.

There are different grades of stainless steel. The stainless steel used in making guns is on the soft side so it can be machined. In fact, it will most likely attract a magnet.

 

[H Richard]

Yes, S&W stainless guns will attract a magnet. Try it on a 686 or other stainless gun.