My P64 Grip Reduction Project
Posted: September 24th, 2009, 1:32 pm
I've loved shooting my P-64 but I always felt it needed a smaller grip. My hands are small, and I found the reach to the trigger to be marginal for comfortable double-action use. After searching for smaller replacement grips, I dediced to modify the stock grips on my gun.
My goal was to reduce the width of the grips from the midpoint of the backstrap to the magazine release. I guessed that doing so would reduce the reach to the trigger and improve the pointability of the pistol.
I started with a close examination of the interior of the grip panels:
It looked to me that I could remove between 1/8" and 3/16" of material without interferring with the operation of the mainspring or magazine. But first, I had to fill the area of the grip near the magazine release so that I would wind up with a flat backstrap after filing and grinding. I used JB Weld as filler material; it's easy to work, sets relatively quickly, and is easy to sand. Plus I already had some.
After filling and waiting for the JB Weld to set up, I taped off the basic contours of the grip so that I didn't remove too much material:
That blue painter's tape is great stuff. I used a plastic bag to protect the rest of the pistol and keep the dust and debris out of the gun.
I used a set of coarse and fine files and a couple of grits of sandpaper to do my shaping. You could use a Dremel tool if you were careful, but I find a flat tool helps to keep the shape you end with in symmetry. I also chose to do the shaping with the grips on the gun, but if you're worried about nicking your blued steel beauty, you could remove the grips.
This is what the backstrap looked like as I was nearing completion of the shaping. The gray square is where I had sanded through the grip itself into the filler material. Also, though it is hard to see, I was able to reshape the radius of the curve at the top of the grips, which also helped with the reach to the trigger.
Finally, I found a guy who would Duracoat the grips for me inexpensively (think $10 shipped), so I sent them off. I installed them on the gun yesterday, and this is how it looks:
I couldn't wait to try out the grips, so I headed to the range at lunchtime today. I ran a box of Silver bear through the pistol without a hitch, and I loved the way the gun felt in my hand. The reach to the trigger delivered a much smoother double action pull, and I found the pointability of the pistol was much improved.
I think I've fixed the main problem I had with the P-64 (well, the new main problem, after replacing the recoil and mainsprings), and it only cost about $15. I'm pleased with the outcome!
Hope you enjoyed seeing this post.
Tony
My goal was to reduce the width of the grips from the midpoint of the backstrap to the magazine release. I guessed that doing so would reduce the reach to the trigger and improve the pointability of the pistol.
I started with a close examination of the interior of the grip panels:
It looked to me that I could remove between 1/8" and 3/16" of material without interferring with the operation of the mainspring or magazine. But first, I had to fill the area of the grip near the magazine release so that I would wind up with a flat backstrap after filing and grinding. I used JB Weld as filler material; it's easy to work, sets relatively quickly, and is easy to sand. Plus I already had some.
After filling and waiting for the JB Weld to set up, I taped off the basic contours of the grip so that I didn't remove too much material:
That blue painter's tape is great stuff. I used a plastic bag to protect the rest of the pistol and keep the dust and debris out of the gun.
I used a set of coarse and fine files and a couple of grits of sandpaper to do my shaping. You could use a Dremel tool if you were careful, but I find a flat tool helps to keep the shape you end with in symmetry. I also chose to do the shaping with the grips on the gun, but if you're worried about nicking your blued steel beauty, you could remove the grips.
This is what the backstrap looked like as I was nearing completion of the shaping. The gray square is where I had sanded through the grip itself into the filler material. Also, though it is hard to see, I was able to reshape the radius of the curve at the top of the grips, which also helped with the reach to the trigger.
Finally, I found a guy who would Duracoat the grips for me inexpensively (think $10 shipped), so I sent them off. I installed them on the gun yesterday, and this is how it looks:
I couldn't wait to try out the grips, so I headed to the range at lunchtime today. I ran a box of Silver bear through the pistol without a hitch, and I loved the way the gun felt in my hand. The reach to the trigger delivered a much smoother double action pull, and I found the pointability of the pistol was much improved.
I think I've fixed the main problem I had with the P-64 (well, the new main problem, after replacing the recoil and mainsprings), and it only cost about $15. I'm pleased with the outcome!
Hope you enjoyed seeing this post.
Tony