New project ( pic added ) - Ajax fake stag grips on Taurus 431

[Bullseye]

Got these No 21 S&W Outdoorsman grips cheap thinking they would fit my K frame but not likely. They are pretty nice quality in my opinion.
So I had them laying around long enough to come up with an idea to try fitting them to my Taurus 431.
I have to plane off about 1.5 mm on the inside of each grip so the top part is flush. I had to remove those semicircle guides and will need to cut off 5 mm from the bottom end and do some minor sanding. The contour is pretty close and I think they will look, fit and feel nice.
Here's the start of the project. There are no grips available other than Hogue synthetic or large Taurus factory grips that I can find for it and I'd like to make another personalized revolver out of this.

After 55 views without a picture, I realize the image was bad. I apologize for that.

 

[Cokeman]

That's cool

 

[LoneGoose]

You're going to have a fine set of grips when you get that fitted to your taste. Congratulations.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Nice looking .44 special. Keep us updated with pictures of the progress!

 

[Zebraranger]

It does look good.

 

[Bullseye]

Gotta get to my buddy's joiner. It's on his schedule. I think my neighbor has one. I will update. I promise.

 

[aarondhgraham]

For some reason,,,

Stag on short barreled guns always looks nice.

Aarond

.

 

[Bullseye]

I think they are Jay Scott No 21 and not Ajax after all. Same church ... different pew.
Decided sanding on flat surface is better than using machines. Got left side somewhat flush tonight to frame.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Yep, Jay Scott has the wood laminated on the backside...makes them much stronger and less prone to cracking than the Ajax ones. Plus Jay Scott grips have some retro funky cool factor going for them.

 

[bannockburn]

sigsmoke

Looks like the grips should fit just right. Would love to have a Taurus 431 to go with my other .44 Special.

 

[Bullseye]

I had to make up for those half moon shaped inserts with fiberglass epoxy that is used for "glassing a stock" That greenish blue stuff you see is a release agent and the brown is the epoxy.
I sure hope it releases easily enough tomorrow when I take it off.
I can only do one side at a time.
This has still got a ways to go.

 

[Bullseye]

Gun is clean and not fiberglassed together to the grip.
They look ugly inside but the fit is OK. I'm gonna let them cure a couple days in this state and then re-drill the grip pin hole in a better position.
Once that's all done I will finish sanding the outer edges of the grips.

 

[Bullseye]

Done for now

I could tweak these a bit but they are on the revolver. Turned out to be the fattest grips I ever held but then I have large hands and it feels good. Haven't shot it yet with them on.
They are quite secure but I could have done better.
Well, I did it anyway, I've seen worse.
There isn't another one like it tho.

 

[bannockburn]

sigsmoker

Looks okay to me and makes for some decent contrast with that nice blued finish on your Taurus Model 431. Good job all around.

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks bannockburn, I think I can close the gap a bit on the base by filing the grip pin shorter, I didn't realize that the pin would bottom out since the grips got thinner. A little sanding here and there when I take them off to do that will make them as good as I can make them.
I have made the best of my Brazilians. A Rossi 877 and a Taurus 431.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Looks great to me! If that Taurus 44 was mine I'd proudly be carrying it today instead of my 44 Charter Arms.

The Rossi is looking good as well.