Does anyone have experience, advice, or information on building your own grips?
I’m not sure how practical it is, but would like to get input from this group. I think the most difficult part would be building the internal area to attach to the pistol. I’m most interested in wood, but would like to hear about anything else you might suggest.
Thank you!
Building Air Pistol Grips
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Re: Building Air Pistol Grips
I've built a couple of grips from scratch in walnut. Getting the mounting right depends a lot on how intricate the frame is. Most air pistols aren't too complex, but you may have to add clearance for cocking levers & such. One approach is to glue up 3 pieces. One for the left side, one for the right, and one in the middle that is cut to fit the frame.
It requires a lot of patience and care unless you don't mind iterating when you screw up...
I did them when I was much younger, when I had lots more time, and I wanted grips that weren't commercially available. One was for a Browning Medalist .22 semi-auto, with a matching walnut fore-end that was hollowed out for a tungsten barrel weight. The second was a full wrap-around free pistol grip for a Thompson Contender. That was especially tricky, because I needed to get the inner grip right, without removing too much wood from the inside of the wrap-around part. Until it was close enough that I could jam my hand inside, I had a lady friend with slimmer hands do the initial fit checks for me.
It requires a lot of patience and care unless you don't mind iterating when you screw up...
I did them when I was much younger, when I had lots more time, and I wanted grips that weren't commercially available. One was for a Browning Medalist .22 semi-auto, with a matching walnut fore-end that was hollowed out for a tungsten barrel weight. The second was a full wrap-around free pistol grip for a Thompson Contender. That was especially tricky, because I needed to get the inner grip right, without removing too much wood from the inside of the wrap-around part. Until it was close enough that I could jam my hand inside, I had a lady friend with slimmer hands do the initial fit checks for me.
Re: Building Air Pistol Grips
I have made quite a few grips. typical tools that make it easier are a mill/drill (using long router cutters 4"x5/8"), a router, a bandsaw and a powerfile for carving.
if I can get it, American walnut is the easiest to work. Queensland walnut is harder and has a lot of silica it, very hard on the tools. there are other exotic timbers that you can use but are very expensive.
Some grips have been laminated out of aircraft birch plywood and epoxy coated.
Some grips are milled in one piece, other are routered using templates in two halves then glued together.
if I can get it, American walnut is the easiest to work. Queensland walnut is harder and has a lot of silica it, very hard on the tools. there are other exotic timbers that you can use but are very expensive.
Some grips have been laminated out of aircraft birch plywood and epoxy coated.
Some grips are milled in one piece, other are routered using templates in two halves then glued together.
Re: Building Air Pistol Grips
Thank you for the replies. I had not thought of making one in pieces. I think this would be most similar to a T/C grip.
I also had to search what a power file was. That looks like it could be helpful!
I also had to search what a power file was. That looks like it could be helpful!