First attempt at making revolver stocks

[KA0811]

Hi. I just thought I would share my first try at making some stocks for my new flattop 44.I made a few mistakes when fitting the right panel but to be honest I didn't think I would even end up with something workable. Everything was done with hand tools. Coping saw,files and sandpaper. I have never been much for wookwork but I just Took a few hours on and off to give my hands a break. In the end they came out a little thicker than I planned but when I attached the grip screw. The nut was too thick so I couldn't make them any thinner without grinding into it. But all in all was fun project. So much so that I'm already starting my next set!

[taco650]

Look pretty good to me.

[MrWolf]

Agreed, they look good.

[Murphy]

They look fine to me. From the looks of those, I sure wouldn't let it stop me from starting that second pair. While they may feel bit wide to you, I'm sure someone esle may find them the perfect fit for them.

Murphy

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yep they look good to me too! Great job!

[w5pv]

Excellent craftsmanship,don't stop.

[Dan Cash]

Nice looking grips. If too thick, grind away, damn the nuts.

[tim338]

Very nice work and you will only get better from here on out.

[KA0811]

Thanks I appreciate the compliments. Main reason. I wanted to post was because I probably never would of tried if I didn't see a post on the beartooth bullets page about making your own. It got me thinking I wasn't sure how things would work out but sometimes you just need to experiment. Never know until you try. When ever I get the next ones finished I'll post some better pics.

[Blackwater]

Good job! Now that you've found out you CAN do this, I suspect you'll be making several more sets, and the best thing is, you can make them to fit your specific hand, too! And yes, it really CAN make a significant difference, especially in instinctive, unaimed fire, in recoil control, and "pointability." It really gets intriguing what you can do with grips to affect your shooting.

[chsparkman]

Outstanding job! Those look fantastic. Maple is my favorite wood to work with.

[tward]

Nice looking stocks ! Love maple, I had someone make me a pair of birds eye maple for my GP-100. If you make more why not take photos along the way as a "how to" for the rest of us? I know I would like to see the process. Tim

[flint45]

very nice I like them.

[KA0811]

Yeah I'm planning on taking some pictures from start to finish on my next set. I'm currently looking for some wood though. Still have some Maple left but searching for some nicely figured walnut. I may just make Another Maple set just for fun/experience when time allows. Here's a link to the site that got me started. http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_not...h_notes.htm/67

[Virginian]

Looks really good to me too! Well done.

[Any Cal.]

I did a pair many moons ago, but used an axle nut from the hardware store. It would be one option if you wanted to go thinner. Sometimes you can get trim from cabinet shops, or ask for a foot of wood backsplash material. It is about 3/8" thick.

Edit. The axle nut is a long bolt and a long nut, meaning it has a large variance in size while still looking finished. Mine was aluminum with a straight slot head.

[taco650]

Yeah I'm planning on taking some pictures from start to finish on my next set. I'm currently looking for some wood though. Still have some Maple left but searching for some nicely figured walnut. I may just make Another Maple set just for fun/experience when time allows. Here's a link to the site that got me started. http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_not...h_notes.htm/67

That's a great article, thanks for sharing the link!

[Multigunner]

Been planning to make a pair of grips for a relic Ruger Single Six I resurrected. I have some fantastically figured Walnut that's been seasoning for about thirty years, but last time I tried making anything with it I dulled all my tools before getting a good start. That stuff is hard as iron when it gets that old. The straighter grained end of these boards is fairly easy to cut, the highly figured end is tough as pine knots.

Maybe I'll invest in some better hand tools before I try again. I'd rather not use power tools on these grips. Any suggestions on tools I should get?

[Hdskip]

I love the maple. Hard to work with but well worth the effort. Just remember you're only limited by your imagination. Dare to try.

[KA0811]

Multi gunner- a good rasp I would think would do you well. It's also important to have a file card and to clean periodically the chips etc. If you don't it'll clog up and not cut. I also use chalk on them as well.I mainly used a 3/8 rattail and a flat 8"bastard mill. But mostly the rat rasp. Then started with 60-80grit all the way to 800+. To be honest I think I made them too smooth, they are slippery suckers. I would like to use a belt sander for the beginning it would speed it up a little boards i started with were alittle under an inch on each grip so it wasn't too bad with a file but for my next I plan to use a 4x6x8 turning block of walnut so I think a belt sander will help alot