Shrinking Grips?

364 Views
Last Post 20 March 2019
Topic Is Solved

CBA Member

tjbunion posted this 19 March 2019

I have a problem I have never heard of with my old Colt Commander. When I got it many years ago it had cheap looking brown plastic (bakelite?) grips on it that were functional but tacky looking. In reading up on this model I found that when the model came out long ago there was a lot of discussion about the ugly cheap grips they had. I replaced the original? grips with Pachmayr rubber grips and the Commander rested in my dresser drawer for decades with occasional trips to the range. It always functioned well, mostly with mild lead bullet reloads. Today on a whim I decided to put the original grips back on it, and to my surprise they do not fit anymore. The holes in the grip are at least 1/8th of an inch short of lining up with the threaded studs in the grip. The grips are in great original condition with no damage at all, and I know they were on the gun when I bought it. I am sure if I try to force them on they will break. Is this a common problem caused by drying or deterioration of old plastic? If so can it be fixed by some method? I don't want to alter them because they probably have some value to collectors if they are indeed original.

Attached Files

7 Comments

Order By: Standard | Newest | Votes

CBA Member

BigMan54 posted this 19 March 2019

I've seen Ivory grips that have shrunk from age. I had a set of bakelite grips on my Walther P-4 when I got it 30yrs ago. I switched them out for thicker wood grips. When I read your post I went out to the garage to my grip box. Pulled them out and pulled the pistol from the safe. Those old bakelite grips fit just fine. And they have spent 30yrs sitting in a box in the garage. Winter cold, summer heat.

Don't know what to tell you.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

Attached Files

CBA Member

Ed Harris posted this 19 March 2019

I've gone through the exact same issue with several vintage Colts whose original grips have shrunk. For me the solution has been to buy new, reproduction urethane copies of the original pattern Colt grips from NC Ordnance.

So far I've bought four sets of these for Police Positive, Official Police and New Service and have been well satisfied. They also have synthetic ivory, and what they call Royal Wood, which is a micarta product with realistic wood grain. Pricing runs from $40 up.

https://gungrip.com/coltdoubleactionrevolvergrips-3.aspx

Numrich also still has some original 1940s Colt Official Police take-offs with screw and escutcheons for $17 which fit reasonably on my $240 GunBroker Special cut-down 1939 Official Police "Bubba Snub." The Gearwards "Ranger Band"

https://gearward.com/products/ranger-bands

around the butt is not original, but helps "train" the vintage Pachmayr adapter to conform to the grip frame, and provides a purchase for consistent grip.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

Attached Files

CBA Member

R. Dupraz posted this 19 March 2019

Do those grips have the colt logo on them? Are you sure that they came off that .45 ? I had a new satin nickel Combat Commander .45 in the early seventies and that pistol came with smooth wooden grips embossed with a gold Colt logo.. Seems like a lot of shrinkage.

Attached Files

CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 19 March 2019

If your Commander is one of the original "light-weight" models, they came with left over WWII plastic grips. That lasted till about 1954, IIRC. They were molded from a thermoset resin that shrinks over time as the material decomposes. If they are on a frame, they stress cracked. My uncle only had one handgun, the first one that came into Dayton Gun Headquarters in the early fifties. His grips cracked while we were shooting it when I was in HS about 1962? Colt replaced them with a nice set of new diamond walnut grips when he sent the broken ones into the shop. FWIW

Attached Files

CBA Member

tjbunion posted this 19 March 2019

My grips have the rampant colt logo on them, and yes, I removed them from the same pistol when I bought it 30 years ago. It says Colts patent firearms company on the slide. I will look at the websites recommended by Ed Harris.

Attached Files

CBA Member

tjbunion posted this 19 March 2019

To update the grip problem, I went to Numrich and they had Colt factory grips with the logo for $17.50 plus shipping. So for less than $25 I think I have solved the problem, though they are black instead of brown. If I ever sell the gun I will keep the Pachmayrs and put on the "new" grips. Thanks to all for your input!