Thinnest minimalist J Frame Grips
- Thread starter Dogmann
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Altamont's pearl grips are very thin.
You could make some service style grips with say 1/8 or 3/16" thick aluminum pretty easy. Use a compass to make the radius of the 1/2 circle at top of grip frame. cut that out with a jeweler's saw and file/sand smooth them. With grip pin out, hold in place and trace grip frame, cut out and file/sand smooth. Clamp in place and drill through grip pin hole for grip pin. Once you had 2 of those clamp them together and match drill for grip screw. Tap one side say 8/32 and recess the other a bit or just use a round headed machine screw Round off outside edges of panels. Thin light strong. You could texture the faces with a punch if you wanted or get an X metal stamp and make a pattern. Want them a littler thicker and covering up part of the upper frame, use aluminum of correct thickness then after putting some texture on aluminum use quality epoxy to add some G10 to outside and shape to what you want..
I guess you could make the service panels out of G10 to start with. Tough stuff.
I guess you could make the service panels out of G10 to start with. Tough stuff.
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DixieRanger
Member
Barami grip may be worth checking. Thin with 'hook' for IWB carry. Simple but works...perfect for a 36.
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DixieRanger
Member
Steelslaver you give a well said path to thin grips. Wish had the skills as you to attempt but sadly no...but really like your idea.
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If you can tolerate imitation MOP the Altamont Legacy is the smallest grip I have seen. They came on the S&W Heritage series revolvers. You can find the wood versions from time to time. I have the the Altamont Classic grips on a J Frame and they are nice and thin. Very similar to the grip that is on the current model 36.
You could always go for the classic, electrical tape.
DixieRanger
Member
Thought of that avenue also but with Gorilla tape for a more professional look. Just remove the pin!
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pharos
Member
I like the Delta Grip for hard-kicking J-frames. Absorbs recoil, and is flat and light.
DixieRanger
Member
Delta grip may work but man does it make the Jfame look ugly to me. i mean butt ugly but am traditionalist and old. Just sayin'.
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riverrat38
US Veteran
I bought my grips from Ahrends, and specified unfinished. I also like them thin, so I re profiled them with 60 grit sand paper. Just keep an eye on the screw so it won't "stand proud". I think shorter screws are available. I also changed the finger groves. More rounded and shallower. That is, I rounded off the points. Then, use finer grit to suit, followed by a Tung Oil finish. I also have reworked Altamont grips, since Ahrends are no longer available.
When sanding, be careful not to make the width less. Stay away from the edges, otherwise, the grip frame will be too wide.
I have also cut grips down to boot grips, I prefer my pinky finger under the grip, so all of my grips are "boot". The only way to get less grip would to go the James Bond route, and use "skeleton grips" Maybe just two turns of duct tape around the grip frame!
73,
Rick
When sanding, be careful not to make the width less. Stay away from the edges, otherwise, the grip frame will be too wide.
I have also cut grips down to boot grips, I prefer my pinky finger under the grip, so all of my grips are "boot". The only way to get less grip would to go the James Bond route, and use "skeleton grips" Maybe just two turns of duct tape around the grip frame!
73,
Rick
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For the non DIY crowd (myself included), the Eagle Secret Service boot grips are pretty thin and nice looking...to boot. 
oink
Member
The Hogue Bantam Boot Grips are pretty minimalist and can be had in several woods, G10 or the rubber. I have the wood (Pau Ferro) and I'm happy with them. They're certainly not as thin as you'd get using Steelslaver's suggestion.
pharos
Member
Most J-frames are concealment guns. Didn’t think looks entered into the picture,
DixieRanger
Member
Have Jframe grips from Tyler T, Barami, Pachmyer, Crimson Trace, Hogue, S&W Target, S&W Boot & DeSantis installed. All are what i call traditional grips with similar hand position. Maybe should try Delta but they are just too dare i say...Ugly with their different grip angle. Concealment or no looks make a difference to ME. But ya know that's why we have chocolate & vanilla, so we have choices of taste. As women we choose the one who suits our tastes. So yes looks do matter...to me.
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instymp
Member
For the non DIY crowd (myself included), the Eagle Secret Service boot grips are pretty thin and nice looking...to boot.
Boy they are a tad bit more $$ than the last time I bought them. But they are great.
DixieRanger
Member
The Eagle grip owner was at SASS Mule Camp in Ga. in 2001. He offered to let borrow a pair for Ruger Bisley Vaqero to try out for the match. Trusting guy cause coulda disappeared in crowd. After two day match went back & bought'em...nice. Guess he felt a cowboy named Dixie Ranger was trustworthy.
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For the non DIY crowd (myself included), the Eagle Secret Service boot grips are pretty thin and nice looking...to boot.
And weigh practically nothing.
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