Fitting Pistol Grips

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only install Pistol Grips on the frame for which they were designed. Even then, Pistol Grips are not always a perfect fit right out of the package. Please read this information and DO NOT attempt any alteration until you have done so. Pistol Grips that have been modified in any way ARE NOT RETURNABLE.

Installing Your Pistol Grips

Before installing Pistol Grips MAKE SURE your gun is UNLOADED.

After installing Pistol Grips, CHECK YOUR GUN and make sure that it functions correctly.

Unloading The Weapon

Point the gun in a safe direction to unload it.

Pistols: Remove the magazine, clear the action and check barrel and chamber to ensure they are clear of any rounds.

Revolvers: Open the cylinder and remove any rounds. Double check to make sure no rounds remain in the weapon

Remove Existing Pistol Grips

Be careful not to damage the existing Pistol Grips. Set aside and preserve the factory Pistol Grips, as they might be a valuable part of the weapon and should you decide to sell the weapon they could increase the value.

Install New Pistol Grips

Clean the frame before installing new Pistol Grips.

If new screws are supplied with the Pistol Grips, USE THEM. Otherwise use your original screws.

If the Pistol Grips do not fit correctly, DO NOT FORCE THEM ON.

Certain Pistol Grips appear to be a one piece grip, but are in effect 2 pieces pinned together. Carefully separate these grip panels to avoid breakage.

See specific instructions by manufacturer:

The Stainless/Nickel Grip Problem

Pistol Grips are machined with much tighter tolerances than most grip frames. Rarely a grip panel will come off the manufacturing line with some deviation, but poor fit is more frequently caused by variation in the grip frame. This problem is often seen in stainless or nickel plate frames. It is rarely seen in the black or blued frames. Not all the stainless or nickel frames have the problem.

ALL FRAMES HAVE SOME VARIATION.

Rugers have very tight tolerances, so you will rarely encounter frame problems for black or blue frames, and only for a small percentage of the Stainless/Nickel frames. Grip manufacturers are usually able to make Pistol Grips for Rugers to go right on with no fitting needed.
Smith and Wesson frames also have very tight tolerances and you'll rarely run into significant frame variation even with stainless/nickel.
Colt Firearms will show the widest frame variation in all models whether black, blue or Stainless/Nickel. For example, Colt Single Action Revolvers have such loose tolerances that no two frames are expected to be the same. Manufacturers make oversized Pistol Grips and you must simply expect to have to fit them. Variation is less prevalent in the Colt Revolvers, i.e., D frames and Pythons but its still there.

If your Pistol Grips have the following problems you have probably encountered the Dreaded (Stainless) Frame Variation Problem.

Gapping in Ruger and other Single Action Revolvers: Sometimes on a stainless or nickel plated single action frame, panel Pistol Grips (not finger groove style) will have an approx. 1/32 inch gap at the top area between the hammer and trigger guard, usually only on one side. Its nothing you can see from a foot away but weve grown to expect Ruger Pistol Grips to fit perfectly, and some people don't like it. There is nothing you can do about this. All Pistol Grips will fit the same way.
Backstrap Overhang: Another fit issue for single action revolvers is overhang on one side of the backstrap, or an uneven fit around the edges of the frame.
Ruger NOTE: We've known customers with Stainless Rugers to try several different Pistol Grips from different grip companies and still not get the fit they want. It is not uncommon for two apparently identical stainless guns that the Pistol Grips will fit one perfectly and the other one will have major problems. At gun shows, we have had customers literally try on every pair of Pistol Grips on the table and get the same fit problem every time, while the Pistol Grips all fit black frame guns perfectly. Frame Variation! Its a nightmare!
Colt and other Revolvers: One side is fine and the other won't fit: This happens most often in stainless or nickel plated Colt Pythons. The combat style Pistol Grips won't fit on one panel. In this case the Pistol Grips may need a minor modification to allow the frame to seat properly.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A FRAME VARIATION PROBLEM, DO NOT ALTER THE Pistol Grips WITH OUT CONTACTING US FIRST.

Colt / Ruger Single Action Revolver Pistol Grips

Colt frames are very inconsistent and there are many frame size variations, in particular this happens with stainless frames. Colt SAA Pistol Grips are usually made oversized and are expected to be fitted to the frame. Gaps often appear where the top of the Pistol Grips meets the frame. This is most often a problem on stainless frames, and the two sides can vary quite a lot.

Most single action Pistol Grips have a hole that fits over a pin in the frame. This pin locates and dictates the fit of the grip. Occasionally, it is necessary to increase the size of the pin hole to fit the pin. Do this SLOWLY and CAREFULLY with an Auger or similar tool. Make sure the grip fits the pin correctly BEFORE TIGHTENING as failure to do so could result in breakage of the grip.

Use the screws provided with the Pistol Grips. Factory screws generally will not fit your new Pistol Grips.

A trick used by a lot of SAA shooters, to correct the gapping problem on grip panels, is to drill out the pin hole to oversize, fill the hole with plastic wood (for wood or laminated wood panels) or epoxy (for bonded Ivory or faux Pearl Pistol Grips) and place on the frame in the desired position until the filling is dry. Then remove and clean. Applying wax (auto, furniture, etc.) to the frame before placing the Pistol Grips (with the wet plastic wood or epoxy) will prevent material sticking to the frame and aid in cleanup.

If you are not happy with the fit of the Pistol Grips and do not wish to do ANY work on them send them back for a refund. But PLEASE NOTE that if you have a problem with the Pistol Grips you received then it is highly unlikely that you will find Pistol Grips that fit your gun exactly. If you have done any alteration on the Pistol Grips they CAN NOT BE RETURNED

Walther Pistol Pistol Grips

You may need to do some very minor fitting on your Walther Pistol Grips. DO NOT USE POWER TOOLS. Fine grit sand paper is all that is needed.