Many times the grips you ordered for your gun doesn't quite fit. Heck sometimes stock grips don't fit that new gun you just bought. The following is advice from fellow pards on how to get those grips fitting just right.

French Jack: Take off the original grips, tape the frame with masking tape, covering the area between the grip panels. Install the new grips if possible, inletting as you go for the top of the grip panels. Remember, you file off the areas touching and holding you away from the recesses to get a flush fit.

When the panels are fit at the top, install the pin holes to allow the bottom of the panels to meet the grip frame. Install a set of escutcheons if needed and put in the grip screw. File the grips down where they may overhang the grip frame. The masking tape should keep you from buggering up the frame with the file. Remember, you can replace the tape if needed.

When taken down as far as possible with the tape in place, remove the grips and use some 400 grit wet or dry paper to remove the final amount. Remove the tape, repalce the grips, and check for fit. You may need to do this a couple of times. Remember, you can file it off easier than you can put it back on. Good Luck



Dad Hatter: To fit the new grips, make a cardboard template off the old grips. Tack glue this to the back of the new grips. Shape the profile of new grips to shape of the template. To get a flat plane on the new grips, use sandpaper or emery on a flat plate. Rub the back of grips on this flat surface. You then radius the curves with a rasp or sandpaper to your liking.



Rubideaux: Best advice I can give is be patient, take your time and don't use any power tools. Work a little and then dry fit them. Take just a little off at a time. You'll get a more harmonious outcome.



Thomas Joseph: Those rare times when you get something that will fit your grip-- it's just a slow sanding process with progressive finer sandpaper. You can get away with a belt sander or dremel for taking down especially high areas, but the key is always to go slow. You can never put back what you've sanded off.



Cody Custer: Fit 4 sets of Vintage Hard Rubber and 1 set of Buffalo Horn grips to Ruger Vaquroes. Used the same technique for all. I steamed the grips in my wifes' vegetable steamer prior to fitting to the grip frame. This made the material pliable enough to take the shape of the grip frame. Once cooled, I used fine sandpaper to blend the grips to the frames finishing with a sand paper I found at a Model Train etc. store to polish.