Anybody ever take a Dremel tool...

[Tom Fury]

...to the backstrap of a S&W 4506 grip in search of a more model 39 (or 645) like heel shape?
How'd that work out? Pix?
Thanks, J

 

[Jason_W]

I know myself and will never in a million years go near a gun with a dremel, file, or other tool capable of removing metal.

 

[herrwalther]

The only time I go near my firearms with a dremel is when a feed ramp needs a touch up with the cloth polishing wheel.

 

[CWL]

I'll put it as kindly as I can:

Gun + Dremel = fool's errand

 

[gpb]

I suspect that real gunsmiths love dremels. Not because they use them that often, but because the gunsmith want to bes use them to generate so much repair work for real gunsmiths.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Good gawd. Why don't you just spend $20 and get the straight grip for the 4506?

Also, that backstrap isn't really a backstrap. That's where the mainspring resides. The grip covers it. You take a dremel to that, and you might as well get another gun.

 

[Ky Larry]

Dremel tools are for gun rapists. Why not just buy or trade for the model you want?

 

[Reloadron]

The only time a dremel has been in my paws around a gun the dremel had a felt bob on the end of it.

Ron

 

[NGIB]

Gun + Dremel = Happy gunsmith

 

[Hopkins]

Dremel tools are for parts that have grown according to a gunsmith friend of mine.

 

[25cschaefer]

Ky Larry, I want this on a T-shirt:

"Dremel tools are for gun rapists."

 

[Onward Allusion]

I wouldn't go that far. I do use one for buffing out scratches on stainless steel guns.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I undercut the trigger guard on a couple of Glock 26s with one. Came out alright though it was pretty scary on the first one.

 

[fireboat]

You guys never opened up the ports on your cylinder heads of your car with a dremel? Its pretty easy actually because there is so much material to remove.
That said, I would think long and hard before using a dremel on a gun, one slip and you will have a permanent gouge that doesn't belong. Better to proceed slowly with a little sanding block but best to simply buy a new grip IMHO.

 

[HankB]

Dremel tools are very useful - when used properly. As several people have already pointed out, polishing is often facilitated very well with a Dremel; I've used both abrasive-impregnated rubber bits as well as felt wheels charged with Simichrome with excellent results.

Probably 99% of the guns that were butchered were done with GRINDING wheels - the times when a Dremel with a grinding wheel is an appropriate tool in gunsmithing are few and far between.

 

[cfullgraf]

A Dremel is a worthwhile tool to have in the tool arsenal. It has many uses even at the gun table.

But, as Dirty Harry said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

 

[Spitdog]

Dremels are fine for grinding down a burr on a back molar, but please!!
Not on your guns fellows.

 

[SIGLBER]

Dremel tools should be banned. LOL! Seriously though I have seen too many guns messed up by smeone using them over the years to even touch one. A little bit goes a long ways.

 

[cgrutt]

Ive used a dremel to remove the front sight on a Colt Commander and a few projects on AR builds but never to modify an S&W grip. Agree with what someone else above said if the right part can be bought for $20 or so I would prefer to go that route.

 

[stchman]

I'll put it as kindly as I can:

Gun + Dremel = fool's errand

Could not agree more. I'm sure many a Bubba took a dremel to their firearm, it malfunctioned, and Bubba blamed it on the gun being a piece of junk.

 

[GarySTL]

I used a Drexel with a sanding drum and a scotchbrite wheel to reshape the back corner of an XD-40 pistol where it was pounding my thumb joint. Made it fit me better so I'm happy.

 

[chicharrones]

I like using Dremels for rough cuts, even on guns. However, files and emery cloth are what I finish up with.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Dremel tool? No. Foredom tool? Yes. Many times. As to the OP's question, Let someone do the modification who knows what's behind the proposed grinding area and how much metal can safely be removed.

Woody

 

[barnbwt]

+1 on the Foredom. Amateur Bubba uses a Dremel; smiths and saavy Bubba (me) uses a Foredom. Most recently, the little 1/2hp wonder was used to cut an M1 Garand receiver to take magazines, and fit in a BM59 stock. Not pretty (yet; I still need to stone the bumps smooth) but perfectly functional.

As for carving...
Who in their right mind would use any rotary tool for the task? You want your stock/parts/backstrap/etc. to look like it was whittled by beavers? Use a rasp or file, for Pete's sake. Apart from being smoother, more precise, and all around superior, it's usually faster (than a Dremel, at least) to boot. Might as well use an angle grinder, it's nearly as careful.*

TCB

*I've seen some pretty amazing and precise stuff done with grinders, like Jaco derringers and the like, but it's a rare man who has enough practice with one and still retains all his digits who can pull that off.

 

[CWL]

Whenever I think "bubba", I think of this gun. What has been seen cannot be unseen!