Posts Tagged ‘custom carved 1911 pistol grips’

Custom Carved Grips for your Model 1911

  

    There has been a huge increase of popularity in the model 1911 pistol over the last few years.   It seems to be peaking with the 100th anniversary of the model 1911 this year.   Because of this there are a huge number of firearms manufacturers making various versions of the model 1911 pistol.   

     You can get an entry level G.I. model for a few hundred dollars, a top of the line model with all the bells and whistles for several thousand, or your choice of almost anything in between.  No matter what model they choose, most enthusiasts want to make it their own – to personalize it.  There is no better way to do this then choosing a custom grip.

     There are many pistols that come withwood grips sporting a basic checkering pattern, some pistols even come with smooth wooden grips.    I will show you an option here of a basketweave that can give you something that is functional and very personal.  The work you see here can be done on your current grips or I do keep some completed grips on hand for sale.

 

      The following photos show the steps.   First the basketweave outline is carved.

     Then the voids in the weave are removed.

     Next, the actual basketweave is defined and given depth.

     The individual weaves are given texture.  Notice the difference between the steps.

 Ready for the Tung Oil finish.

     As I said, the work you see here I can do on your current grips, I can carve grips on hand to your specifications, or I do have some completed custom carved grips on hand for sale.   You have many options, Basket Weave, Fish Scales, Scrolls, Leaves, Wildlife, or just your Initials.   If this kind of personalization interests you, contact me and let me know how I can help.

 

Thanks for stoppin’ by ……

Lance Larson

 

 

Custom Carving 1911 pistol grips

     I just finished a carving on a Rock Island Armory 1911 pistol in 38 super caliber.   The owner of this 1911 pistol needed a good looking, functional carving on the grips.   The grip on this 1911 pistol was a smooth hardwood and in the summer in Arizona, your hands can get anywhere from a little damp to down right sweaty when you’re at the range.  That makes gripping a pistol with a smooth grip a little tough.

     The 1911 pistol celebrates it’s 100th anniversary this year.  It was designed by John Moses Browning and became the official military sidearm in 1911.

 Here is a little history of the 1911 pistol, courtesy of Wikipedia:

John Browning’s most successful designs include the M1911 pistol, the Browning .50 caliber machine gun, the Browning Automatic Rifle, and a ground-breaking semi-automatic shotgun, the Browning Auto-5. These arms are nearly identical today to those assembled by Browning in the 1920s, with only minor changes in detail and cosmetics. Nearly all parts may be freely swapped between the earliest and latest of each series of these weapons, no matter when made, which has extended their service lifespan nearly indefinitely.

Service history

Battlefield experience in the First World War led to some more small external changes, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1. Changes to the original design were minor and consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent slide bite), a wider front sight, a shorter spur on the hammer, and simplified grip checkering by eliminating the “Double Diamond” reliefs.^[4] Those unfamiliar with the design are often unable to tell the difference between the two versions at a glance. No significant internal changes were made, and parts remained interchangeable between the two. 

  World War II

World War II and the years leading up to it created a great demand. During the war, about 1.9 million units were procured by the U.S. Government for all forces, production being undertaken by several manufacturers, including Remington Rand (900,000 produced), Colt (400,000), Ithaca Gun Company (400,000), Union Switch & Signal (50,000), and Singer (500). So many were produced that after 1945 the government did not order any new pistols, and simply used existing parts inventories to “arsenal refinish” guns when necessary. This pistol was favored by US military personnel.^[6]

After World War II, the M1911 continued to be a mainstay of the United States Armed Forces in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It was also used during Desert Storm in specialized U.S. Army units and US Navy Mobile Construction Battalions (Seabees), and has seen service in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, with U.S. Army Special Forces Groups and Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Companies.

     As mentioned before, a more positive gripping surface was needed for this pistol.   The grips on a 1911 pistol are only about 1/4″ thick so the actual carving could not be very deep.   But it had to have a good gripping surface.   It was decided that adding a book-matched Basket Weave pattern to the grips would add the right amount of roughness as well as adding to the style of this 1911.   It also work perfectly with the pistol’s leather holster.  The leather on the holster was hand tooled in a Basket Weave pattern also.

    

 

 

    

    

    

     The grip carvings turned out to be a great gripping surface and a classy look that the owner was very happy with. 

     If you’re interested in this type of carving, give me a call, or drop me an email.

 

Thanks for stoppin’ by…

Lance Larson