ihmsa forums

Hi yall. Ive been mulling over an idea I have had for quite a while. I keep running into forum posts in other places of people looking for custom wooden grips for their revolver, pistol (often a stryker or xp-100), or a custom wood stock for their rifle. I do wonder if I can make one. I have had ideas like this spring into my head before and I know one does not simply 'just make it'. I am curious to know if anyone here makes their own grips or stocks. Sadly admiting you do would mean I might pelt you once or twice with a long pm on what I am up to and about specific suggestions you might have. A while back I set out on a hair brained idea just like this. The result was me building my own forge and producing a number of knives. Some I have kept and most I have given away to my family as gifts. In fact I just finished making a Tom Brown's tracker clone out of 1/4 inch 1095. I prefer to carve the scales for all my knives and sew the leather sheath to boot. I do have some wood working experience but it is that of an amateur. I have made some dove tailed boxes with lids, a couple bows, several small figurines, chess pieces, and other odds and ends. I do not have a router but I have plenty of sharp knives and chisels (coincidentally some of which I made myself). They and a coping saw have performed some magic and hopefully will perform more magic in the future. Any thoughts?

I say go for it. I wish I had the time, equipment, money and knowledge to pursue something like this. I got a Ruger MK III what can you make for it? RH thumb rest.

Have you seen the work of Dave Dolan or ''Georgia Jim'' (James Williams of Ga) on Specialty Pistols ? it is worth a look. RP

Coincidentally my first attempt will be for my hi-point. The grips simply have a philips screw holding it on and come right off, the frame is nice and square as well. I dont need them, nor do I really want them on that gun but for the sake of practice I can try and make some nice finger grips, then make a slip on grip in the free pistol style. I will have to head to a gun show again and handle an old hammerli or something to get a feel for the geometry of it. I have 4 inch thick solid maple planks but my wood working skills are too poor to waste that wood on this. Gotta start small after all. I'll try a peice sawn from the cherry firewood I have in my backyard.

If you make custom grips for your IHMSA Production gun or revolver, they are then Unlimited guns. Only grips generally available to the public and for the specific gun are approved for these handguns.

Steve W.

Interesting, I didn't consider that tidbit. Good to know if I ever decide to use my 45 for a competition.