j frame grip problem

[tango3065]

I just got some new custom made wood grips on ebay for my 642 and unless I tighten the screw really tight they have some front to back play at the top. I know the problem now after looking with one grip off is the at the top where the recesed part sits into the rounded part of the frame, there is not enough wood there. Any ideas on what to do, or should I just tighten the heck out of the screw like I have done and leave it be?

Btw I know the grips can't come off and long as the screw is extremely tight its a non issue but I am a worry by nature, I also know that factory grips have a metal washer on the back side that fits in the round part of the frame but these don't its just wood and the maker has took to much wood off.

 

[Old Fuff]

It's an easy fix, but you might find it to be too expensive.

Check out Brownells (www.brownells,com) and buy some of the release agent used with their glass bedding kits. Remove the mainspring and coat the lower frame with the release agent, and be generous around the area you want to repair.

You can buy a glass bedding kit from Brownells, but as you only need to do a small area, a two-tube set of epoxie glue from the hardware store might be a more economical choice.

Do each side as a single project. Place one grip on the release agent coated frame. Mix the adhesive per instructions, and then use a small, flat stick to spoon it into the grip where you need to build it up. The glue will stick to the wood, but not the metal frame where it is coated with release agent. You don't need too do the whole inletted area. A few dabs in the right places will prevent the assembled grips from rocking or moving without undue stress on the screw. When the adhesive has set, but is still semi-soft you can seperate the grip from the frame. When it is fully hardened in about 24 hours you can sandpaper off any excessive overflow.

Repeat all of this to do the other side. Recoat the frame with release agent first. When you do be sure the wood matches up with the one you did first. A little mis-match can be taken care of with a little sandpaper and a few drops of gunstock finish.

 

[tango3065]

Thanks I was hoping I could maybe use some super glue and fine sawdust (they use this in cabinet factorys) on the grips then sand round to the dimensions of the frame but was hoping there might be an easier or simpler approach since someone has to of had this problem.

 

[Old Fuff]

You can use the sawdust-and-glue mix, but it tends to crumble if much space in involved. Another trick is to inset a small pin or screw to position the grip. You don't have to brace it in the round cut-out area. Any kind of a block (pin, screw, whatever) that presses against the inside of the upper front and backstrap will have the same effect.

Yes, this kind of situation is not unusual.

 

[308win]

Try some clear silicone bath calk.

 

[tango3065]

Thanks guys I fixed them today by drilling a small hole vertical down the grip inside where the rounded part is and put a small round headed tack down in which catches the inside of the back of the frame and they fit like they were supposed to.