Author Topic: A new set of grips for a Guacho (Read 1394 times)

oldandslow · « **on:** September 15, 2008, 04:32:36 AM »

I really didn't like the checkered plastic grips that came on the Guacho. They rubbed a blister on my hand quickly so I made this set to replace them.

The other side.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2008, 03:46:34 AM »

Very Nice Work!

Quote

so I made this set

I really envy you here as most to include myself dont have the skills to pull this off.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2008, 05:37:24 AM »

Zowie! I really like the carved holster, too.

oldandslow · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2008, 11:48:49 AM »

Thanks for the kind words. I'll put up a picture of a Ruger with grips made from local mesquite and the holster I made for it in a day or two.

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2008, 06:32:19 AM »

Yes, beautiful job on both! How do you like your Gaucho so far? I've been very happy with mine! 44 Man

oldandslow · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2008, 10:34:48 AM »

It's great. It shoots pretty close to point of aim with my handloads. They run about 800 fps if the loading manual is right. It shoots a little low and slightly right with Magtech cowboy loads. I'm very happy with it. Now if I could find the short barreled one to go with it.

44 Man · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2008, 12:48:10 PM »

Good luck on that! I have 3, two stainless and a blue, all 5 1/2" models. I have never seen a 4 3/4" barreled Gaucho in this area. I have been thinking of cutting my blue 5 1/2" to a 4". That's a really neat carry size. 44 Man

LONGTOM · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2008, 03:58:30 PM »

Lets get back to the grips.

What are they made of?
How long did it take you to do them?
What finish did you use?
Would you consider making a set for someone else---as in ME!!!

I love the finger grooves!
Those would make it a lot easier to hang on to with the stiffer loads.
Very nice work.
I do a lot of wood working but never tried my hand at a set of grips.
Maybe one day!

LONGTOM

barracudadave67 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2008, 10:46:07 PM »

I just picked up a Gaucho stainless, 5 1/2, in .357. I haven't shot it yet, and I can't wait too.
i also would like to get a set of grips,to make it look better and for holding it. I've also been
thinking of getting another to match it. It's got a great feel to it.

Those are nice grips you made, maybe you should think of making a few pair.

dave C. aka barracudadave67

oldandslow · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2008, 03:43:05 AM »

Quote from: LONGTOM on September 17, 2008, 03:58:30 PM

Lets get back to the grips.

What are they made of?
How long did it take you to do them?
What finish did you use?
Would you consider making a set for someone else---as in ME!!!

I love the finger grooves!
Those would make it a lot easier to hang on to with the stiffer loads.
Very nice work.
I do a lot of wood working but never tried my hand at a set of grips.
Maybe one day!

LONGTOM

1. Some really nice walnut.

2. Working off and on-----probably 6 or 7 hours total and more time was spent applying the finish than actually making them.

3. Minwax clear gloss polyurethane varnish in the spray can. I used it to fill the pores in the wood and three finish coats rubbing the first two with 0000 steel wool until the gloss was gone. Final rub with fine valve grinding compound which really makes them slick and shiny.

4. Not really. Having to meet an obligation takes the fun out of it. I'm retired and just do it because I really enjoy building things. I'm doing grips, knives, and holsters and belts.

I was reading an article in one of the gun rags about movie guns and ran across a picture of one of John Wayne's revolvers with finger grooves. I decided to make a set and I really like them. It does improve your grip.

Give it a try. If you have any questions, send me a PM and I'll try to help.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2008, 05:39:20 AM »

Thanks. I just might.

LONGTOM

LONGTOM · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2008, 04:28:41 PM »

Well OLD I took your suggestion and gave it a try today.
Need to do a little sanding and trim on the grip screw and then the finish.
I don't think you have to worry about any competition from me.
A little crude.
Just for something different I used a piece of old cedar I had left over from a blanket chest I made some time ago.
All in all not to bad for my first try.
I will post some pics when I get the finish on.

LONGTOM

oldandslow · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2008, 04:54:05 AM »

Looking forward to the pictures. I have some pictures of a set made from mesquite but potobucket seems to be still on the fritz. I can get to their site now but that's all. This site wouldn't come up for me earlier today.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2008, 05:21:16 AM »

Quote from: oldandslow on September 15, 2008, 04:32:36 AM

I made this set

Really nice work! I've always thought about making a set for one of my Uberti's myself but being a perfectionist

I couldn't stand the thought of them not coming out as well as yours! $:-\$

Maybe I'll give it a try. After all, if Long T can do it...

Now where did I put that piece of Mastodon Ivory?

LONGTOM · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2008, 09:58:27 AM »

Go, ahead and give that Mastodon tooth a try.
A friend who does stock work said he would give it a try on a couple of slabs that I have in the gun safe.
After about a week of trying to find something that would cut the stuff he gave up. I still have the ivory with the grip outline drawn on them with barely a scratch on them. Man that is some hard stuff!

LONGTOM

AtlLaw · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:30:53 AM »

Not only tough, but expensive! I had some asian elephant ivory sections, enough for probably dozens of grip size slabs but gave them away MANY years ago. I wish I had them now...

I have been thinking of getting some of the fake aged ivory to make a set with though. Hey O&S, tell me how you took the measurements, kept both sides even, etc. Also, those appear to be 2 piece grips. My Uberti's are both one piece I think. $:-\$

44 Man · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2008, 02:27:47 AM »

Yes that stuff is hard! I 'inherited' two pair of stag grips from a friend and sized them down from 'Vaquero' size to fitting my pair of Gaucho's (SAA size grips). I also needed to thin them to be able to use them. I ended up using a bench grinder and a file to fit them! And I can imagine that the Mastadon tooth would be even harder! Good luck. If you can get them shaped, they would be totally awsome grips! 44 Man.

And I found that with the Gaucho's, like most SAA clones, each pair of grips have to be fitted individually. I own three and none of the grips will interchange. That surprised me as I thought being a 'modern' gun and all Tarus talked about investment parts, they would be more standardized, like the Ruger grip frames. They must put the grips on the grips frame, then polish the frame and grips together.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2008, 11:10:01 AM »

Well here they are.
No where as good as O&Ss but not bad for the first time.
Four coats of clear rubbed with 0000 steel wool between each coat and lightly polished with car wax.
I made the right grip a little thinner to fit the palm of my hand better.
Would have liked to have used a brass screw but the stainless was the only one I had long enough.
Mine must be a little thicker over all than factory.
They are mounted on my 7.5" 30carbine.
I did get the bottom a little short on purposs so I wouldn't catch them on anything.
Not real sure how strong red cedar is.

Might try again sometime, who knows.
Just wanted to see if I could do it.

LONGTOM

AtlLaw · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2008, 03:22:05 PM »

And do it you did. You should feel a sense of accomplishment!

Okay, nothing ventured, nothing gained! I need another project I never finish anyway...

LONGTOM · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2008, 05:44:29 PM »

I've had a few of those myself!!!
Like the big HO train set I started as a hobby many, many years ago.
Man the guns I could buy with all that money.
But then I would have to buy another safe, and you know what that leads to.
You can't have a safe or a cabnet for guns with an empty space so here comes more guns, and so on and so on and so on!!!

LONGTOM

barracudadave67 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 20, 2008, 09:09:08 PM »

Nice job LongTom

I think they look good on that Ruger. I have'nt heard any thing bad about red ceder. I'm looking for some material to make my Gaucho look better, but I want something sturdy too hold, also.

I like 44 Man's job on those Gaucho grips of his also.

barracudadave67 aka Dave C.

oldandslow · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2008, 12:45:49 PM »

Altlaw, this is how I fit grips. I drive the dowel pin out of the frame first. Then I fit the blank to the corner of the frame. I haven't found a corner to be a true 90 degree corner yet and one Ruger had a different angle on each side. After the blank I use a punch that fits the dowel pin hole, mark the hole, and drill it. I put the blank back on the gun with the punch in the hole and mark around the grip frame with a fine black marking pen and then saw it out on the outside of the line.

LONGTOM, that looks pretty good to me.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2008, 03:26:25 PM »

It was fun. Might try it again.

LONGTOM

AtlLaw · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2008, 04:43:22 PM »

Quote from: oldandslow on September 22, 2008, 12:45:49 PM

this is how I fit grips. I drive the dowel pin out of the frame first.

That's good info right there!

Thanks O&S! Uh, one question... what's the dowel pin? $:-\$

LONGTOM · « **Reply #24 on:** September 22, 2008, 05:05:16 PM »

AtlLaw:
He means the grip locator pin.
The slip pin that goes through the bottom corner of the grip frame that keeps the grips from slipping around.

LONGTOM

AtlLaw · « **Reply #25 on:** September 22, 2008, 05:17:16 PM »

Ah So!

Now I see!