How to shape rubber grips?

[FergusonTO35]

Anyone know of a way to shape and trim rubber grips without making them look too awful? I see there are lots of Pachmayr grips for cheap on Fleabay and other places. I would like to experiment making them into different shapes and sizes.

[Bill*]

Dont know if it'll work on grip rubber, but I needed a bench block for a project and made one out of a hockey puck. Couldn't cut or drill it decently till I froze it. Then it machined like wood. It would probably sand OK then too. But the freeze only lasts so long then it has to go back in. Just a thought.

[fecmech]

Belt or disc sander, that's how recoil pads are fitted to stocks.

[45-70.gov]

last time i did it
hogue on a superblack hawk.....wayyyy to big

used a sazall blade.......after the sand paper
looked horrible but really felt good and thats what i am concerned with

then i just went to the packmyer on all black hawks
hogues on all smiths

[Goatwhiskers]

Freeze it. Might take more than one trip to the freezer, but even the soft spongy type recoil pads can be worked this way. GW

[rockshooter]

dremel tool with sanding drum- use high speed and it will give a very smooth finish- but work slowly and dont heat up the rubber too much

[FergusonTO35]

There are always a plethora of old Pachmayr Presentation grips on Fleabay for a variety of guns. As much as I like this grip its way too big for anything less than an N-frame or Redhawk. Ever see one on a snubnose? Looks utterly rediculous. Now, if its feasible to trim it down to where its just a little larger than factory panels that would be super. These sound like very good suggestions, I'll give 'em a try.

[MtGun44]

+1 on dremel sanding drum. Leaves a reasonably nice surface, but not shiny.

The freezing sounds interesting.

Bill

[KCSO]

I have reshaped rubber griips with a belt sander. Just be aware that most of them have a steel insert and if you cut into the insert you will have problems with the steel poking you. An 80 grit belt will work better than a fine one as the finer the belt the more melting of the rubber. Finish with a plam sander and say 120 or 150 grit.