Polish T-33 Grips

[Smitty 308]

Hello,

I have been reading this forum for quite a while now. Just registered.
Thought I would share my experience with my T-33. It is Polish and was made in 1949 so is a C&R. The FFL I got it from had it on consignment. The left, plastic grip was broken just above the thumb ridge. I use epoxy quite a bit in my hobbies so dyed some epoxy black and fixed the grip. In my humble opinon the grips on the Tok are really ugly and small. So I added a Hogue sleeve and that helped some.
Have had the weapon to the range twice and both times I really had fun shooting it. I have vowed not to reload for this one. I shoot nothing but S&B....well some Polish too. I like it because it is loud, puts out great muzzle flash, and shoots flat, and straight on POA. But the grips still bugged me so the other day I bought a set of Houges - like for a Sig. I hollowed the grips out and did some cutting, then belt sanded the "ruined" plastic grips til I got a good fit and used JB Quick between the plastic grips and the Hogue wrap arounds. After letting that cure I filled in around the edges with quick set epoxy dyed black. After that cured I sanded the edges to blend and it looks pretty good. Since I only bonded the plastic to the Hogues I can remove the new, built up grips just like removing the old plastic ones. The grips really fill my hand now and the pistol looks more balanced.
I'll quit burnin' band width but I just had to share.
This is a great forum. I guess it reflects the people.
Thanks for letting me share.
Smitty 308

 

[middy]

This thread is useless without pics.

 

[Flashpoint]

This thread is useless without pics.

Cut the rookie some slack, he'll learn

Glad you could join us Smitty three-hundred-eight.

Oh, and don't worry about band width, we like pics.

 

[Erich]

Hi Smitty 308 (welcome aboard!),

I also like my Polish Tok a lot (and I also shoot a lot of S&B).

You know, my Polish Tok's grips are the thing that's irritated me the most about it. That stupid thumbrest - grr (I'm a lefty). I just filed it down, but it's still asymmetrical.

So, I'm interested. I have some questions, if you don't mind.

Since the Toks use those strange little internal levers to hold the grips on, how did you get the Hogues to stay on? I suppose I should ask: since you say, "Hogues - like for a Sig," what model of Hogue grip are you talking about? Are you talking about actual grips for a Sig-Sauer (if so, what model?), or are you talking about the larger version of the Hand-all grip sleeve?

cheers, erich

 

[Smitty 308]

Tok-33 grips

Thanks for the welcome.

Sorry, but I threw the package for the wrap arounds away. Go to a Hogue display and look for one piece grips that slide on to the front of the frame. The finger grooves will be just under the trigger guard on the front of the grip. The grips are one piece and open like a book - close the book using the gun handle as a book mark. The size - read the blurb on the back and it will tell you what pistols it fits. Look for Colt Commander in the size list. That is what I used. The blurb will also list Sigs.
The grips cost $17 or $18.

Erich, if you do manage to find a set of Houge grips that match my description then while leaving the plastic grips on your Tok lay the Hogues right over top of the Tok grips. The fit won't work but you should be able to see if you need to cut the Hogues to make a fit. My Tok has the thumb ridge on the left grip so I cut the Hogue left grip to line up right under the ridge. Since you are a lefty, don't trim your grips right away. l Wait til you sand the plastic Tok grips to fit -just sand the thumb ridge off. Now get out your Dremmel and use one of those sanding drums. The Hogues have hard plastic on the inside surface so hollow out the grips. It's an ugly process but it can be done. Once I got the Hogues hollowed out I took the plastic Tok grips and used my belt sander to sand about 1/8" off the outside while maintaining the original grip contour. This is a trial and error process and is tedious but at some point you will notice that you can mount the Hogue grips right over top ofthe plastic grips and get a good fit. Then I used JB Weld Quick and secured the Hogue grips directly over the Tok plastic grips being careful to only adhere the Hogues to the plastic - or you will glue the Hogues to the gun. After the JB cures you should be able to remove the Tok grips in a regular manner and have the Hogues open like a book and come off with them.
Flashpoint, how did you know my age?

 

[Erich]

Smitty, thank you for the informative and descriptive post! I now see exactly what you are talking about. Man, you have a lot more confidence in your "gripsmithing" abilities than I do in mine! I'll go give the grips a gander and see if it looks like something I dare try out. Thanks again!