revolver grips

[22popnsplat]

I have seen a few after market grips made of Corian , I located some 3/4 inch thick bone (looks like old ivory) corian with the intention of making grips for a couple of my revolvers . Are there any big draw backs to using corian ? any experiance ?

 

[texagun]

I have some Corian grips on some 1911's and they work just fine. No shrinkage or warping at all. Corian is a tough material. It is used to make counter tops and comes in many colors. Here is a website showing the various colors.

http://www2.dupont.com/corian/en-us/bi/corian-all-colors.html


Here is a set made for me by a guy in Kentucky for a Series 70 Repro:

 

[CraigC]

Far as I know, there are no drawbacks. I know of several gripmakers that use Corian. I don't believe it's quite as tough as micarta but it's plenty good enough for pistol grips. Be sure to post pics when you're done.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The only draw back to Corian is that it is more sensitive to heat...hot pans, if placed on a Corian counter, will leave an impression..than most common grip material.

The nice thing about Corian for grips is that counter top manufacturers usually let left over scrapes go at very reasonable price

 

[oldbear]

Texagun,

That's a great looking pistol with good looking grips!!!

 

[CraigC]

From the Dupont FAQ:

"Although Corian® solid surface remains stable and undamaged in temperatures up to 212ºF"

I think that's sufficient.

 

[BCRider]

I'm guessing that being a plastic that it would become rather slippery when wet from rain or sweat. However some checkering, stipling or even "wood graining" would provide more than ample grip friction.

One option that intrigues me with the ivory like Corian would be to find a way to stain the material. From there carve out some grips and use a Dremel or similar to create grooves that can be stained to look like staghorn.

So who's going to be first with faux granite for grips....

 

[CraigC]

I don't think Corian takes stain.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It doesn't.

What you would do to get contrasting "grain" is cut grooves/serrations in the base material and fill them with a contrasting Corian glue

 

[beag_nut]

The only downside is that your tools may wear more quickly.

 

[Jaymo]

I have a piece of Night Sky Corian, that I'm wanting to get some grips made of.
I got it for free, from a customer that sells counter top material.
It was laying in the parking lot, a little scratched up. Someone missed the dumpster, when trying to throw it away.
Poor thing was abandoned and forgotten. They looked at me funny, when I asked if I could have it. It's only big enough to make one or two good sets of grips. That's enough for me. My original plan was to make knife handle slabs with it, but after seeing pistol grips made of it, I've decided I'd like to get some grips for my Ruger BH and Single Six made from it.

 

[BCRider]

It doesn't.

What you would do to get contrasting "grain" is cut grooves/serrations in the base material and fill them with a contrasting Corian glue

That would work too. Thanks for the hint. I've not yet worked with Corian as you can tell.

I've got an old 3 screw Single Six that might just need a set of faux staghorn scales to replace the quickies I made from some quarter grain hemlock.

 

[CraigC]

FYI, You can see grips made of various types of Corian at the websites of CLC Custom Grips, Collinscraft Grips and Gary Reeder Custom Guns.