Author Topic: Ruger grips and holster  (Read 829 times)

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Offline oldandslow

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Ruger grips and holster
« on: September 22, 2008, 01:04:19 PM »
A Blackhawk with a set of grips made with local mesquite wood.



And in it's crossdraw holster.



I didn't take any pains with the lighting on the pictures as you can tell. Guess I should build a shadowbox.

Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2008, 03:29:34 PM »
Did you do the holster?
If so it's a fine job also.


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Offline oldandslow

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2008, 04:04:39 AM »
Yes, I made the holster. You can't see it in the picture but when I make a holster it is lined. I used horsehide in the two I've posted here.

Thanksfor the compliment.

Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2008, 04:59:33 AM »
NICE!
You have got me looking forward to your post due to the quality of your work and I would be interested in seeing more projects as you do them.
When the Deer season is done and I get some serious predator hunting out of the way I may try my hand on making some grips using some cheap yellow pine (read common lumber)
just to see how they turn out. I have some CNC and Autocad experience and will have a good idea on the work shift offsets and the various points along the path but will be doing all work by hand with the help of a table saw for the ripping and a compound miter for doing the rough cuts.

I might be able to pull this off but I still think that the final shaping and fit may take someone with more of an (artist eye) which I do not possess.

Offline Steve P

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2008, 07:27:34 AM »
Gun and holster look great.  I really like the looks of that mesquite.  Came out really nice.

I have some nice wood I would like to make a couple of sets of grips with.  Any tips on size and thickness of the blank as you start? 1/16" beyond grip frame? 1/8"?  more?  I am kind of riding the fence on this.  If I don't take off enough material, I spend a long time removing wood as I shape and finish them.  If I take off too much, I start over.

I haven't seen a post on making grips.  Any additional information would be appreciated.

Steve :)
"Life is a play before an audience of One.  When your play is over, will your audience stand and applaude, or stay seated and cry?"  SP 2002

Offline oldandslow

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2008, 10:22:24 AM »
Steve, 1/2" is thick enough. A 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" square will do Colt & clones and Ruger grips. After I fit the blank to the corner of the grip frame and drill the hole for the index pin I trace around the frame with a fine line magic marker and saw out the blank to the outside of the line. I shape them with a Dremel and a 1/2" sanding drum. I use a coarse drum until its almost shaped, switched to a fine drum to get really close, then go to garnet paper wrapped around a 7/8" dowel to get the final cut. Then I hand sand with 220 and 320 grit, use alcohol to raise the grain and sand until I can't feel any whiskers and then apply finish , rubbing it off until between coats with 0000 steel wool until the pores are filled. Then about three coats of finish rubbing lightly between coats.

The Dremel makes a real mess. Dust everywhere. Wear a mask.

Offline 44 Man

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Re: Ruger grips and holster
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2008, 12:18:06 PM »
I like the Texas star emblem in the grip.  Great work!  You really have me fired up to get at some leatherwork in the near future!  44 Man
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