Fitting new grips to a Ruger Blackhawk

[Wedge]

The current factory grips on my blackhawk, while serviceable, pretty much suck. They are slightly undersized so that there is a slight ridge since the backstrap sticks out farther than the grip panels. If I get some new grips how do you cut and finish them without destroying the finish on the gun.

I figure that you need to trace the outline of the grip frame onto the new panel, cut/sand to that outline and then do a final fitting with the panel on thr grip frame. My question is how to do the final fitting without taking the finish off of the gripframe?

 

[Old Fuff]

You have the right idea. Use a SHARP pencil and carefully file or sand the wood (or whatever) down to the INSIDE of the pencil line. Then sand the grip to blend in your cuts into the rest of the grip's profile. Put the grips back on the frame frequently to check the fit while working.

 

[Wedge]

Awesome. Thanks!