Homemade Hi Power Grips, First time!

[JHK94]

I don't usually start threads, especially this kind, but I just wanted to show off these grips and see what people thought.

I got one of the recent FM Hi Powers from J&G as my first full-sized 9mm (and only one, right now), and really liked it. I changed out the safety for the modern one, and its been fantastic so far. However, the stock rubber grips were just too chunky for my smallish hands. After seeing how much those really nice thin Delrin grips go for, I decided to try to make my own! I've just recently started doing any kind of woodworking, and this was my first attempt at pistol grips. Getting the contours right so they would fit was terrible!

Anyway, I made them out of a piece of lemonwood from my yard that fell down in a storm, then cured in my shed for a year. Its super hard, but unfortunately doesn't take stain too well. I did a dremel/nail stippling job, and there you have it...

 

[Shadow 7D]

I would have spent the money to buy a checkering kit, they aren't that expensive, unless you were going for the antler look. Some woods take different types of stain, but if it won't stain, that usually means it's a durable wood.

 

[GimpyLeg]

Dude! That you made the effort to make them your own-- two thumbs up!!!!

 

[BRad704]

I love the stipled/antler look on those! For a first time, DIY project, I think you kicked its butt!

 

[Marshall]

Nice job, good all over you!

 

[silversport]

nice effort...how do they feel to you???
Bill

 

[JHK94]

nice effort...how do they feel to you???

That's the real question, right? Well, that's why I was pretty happy about them...what they might lack in appearance somewhat, they make up in feel. I shoot it much better with them than the stocks, and they are much more comfortable.

Thanks for the thumbs up!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and kudos on the effort. Enjoy your pistol and the stocks you made for it.

Best.

 

[Warhawk83]

Good Job!!

I've been toying with the idea of making some grips for the wife's Beretta. I have a hunk of wood and a dremel, just haven't gotten the guts to do it yet.

How long did it take you?

 

[JHK94]

it took me a while, actually. I made some mock-ups with some soft pine, and learned some valuable lessons there. Then it took me several hours to get the shape right, then sanding/staining/sealing etc took more on/off/waiting time. I've made some knife handles from this wood a few times before, so I kind of knew what I was doing some places, but not others. It was really fun though, so you know what they say that does to time...

 

[Snowdog]

I think it's pretty cool that you used wood from your property that fell during a storm. There's something very primitive about this that I can dig.

Good job!

 

[lwj2]

They look well-made, properly fit.

I'm not much for stippling/antler treatments, but I must say you did it well.

You may wish to consider a soluble dye (or combination thereof) instead of staining, the dye will penetrate more than the stain will. Woodcraft Supply carries Jeff Jewitt's TransTint and TransFast dyes.

Nice job, good luck!