Members Fredo Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 Hi Folks, well I went to the gun store to buy a few small items. While there I lost control of my will and bought a new 1911 by Rock Island officers .45 ACP Here's the question, has anyone tried making a set of grips from leather? I imagine that it would be nice to tool and set of grips to match a holster. When I force dry my holsters they end up fairly stiff. So I'm thinking why not grips? I Think natural oils form my hands will be ok, the weathered look of sun tanned leather is ok...... Anyone done this, any pics or posts to see/read? Thanks in advance. Fredo Quote
Members Tac Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 I have never seen leather grips before, but the idea sounds kind of cool. Quote -Tac "Well, I guess we did our good deed for the day Mayor"-Wyatt Earp "Tombstone"
Members okie44 Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 I found this photo on a forum. i don't see there would be any problem doing the same thing with leather. I would seal ti real well to help with oils from your hand. Quote
Members Big G Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 Hi Folks, well I went to the gun store to buy a few small items. While there I lost control of my will and bought a new 1911 by Rock Island officers .45 ACP Here's the question, has anyone tried making a set of grips from leather? I imagine that it would be nice to tool and set of grips to match a holster. When I force dry my holsters they end up fairly stiff. So I'm thinking why not grips? I Think natural oils form my hands will be ok, the weathered look of sun tanned leather is ok...... Anyone done this, any pics or posts to see/read? Thanks in advance. Fredo congrats on the 1911/ my favotite i have been thinking about the same thing.. you could glue and sew 2 layers like a belt with a filler in between to round out the outside. 1911 grips are rounded not flat. inside filler would reinforce the mounting screws. filler could be kydex . by the way springfield leather will give you a piece of kydex to play with Quote If a job is worth doing at all, it is worth doing right
Members gregintenn Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 There are millions of knives with stacked laether handles that have seen years of hard use and abuse. I don't know why you couldn't make some 1911 grips with it. Please post photos if you do. Quote
Members Fredo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 As soon as I get the 1911 I will try this and post pics for sure. If you all promise to give me real time and hard critique that is. Quote
bison Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 I've seen leather pens and other items made from leather that's been chopped (in a blender maybe) and mixed with epoxy. It can be shaped before it dries, then worked like wood when it is dry. Quote
Members Shooter McGavin Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 If you dunk leather in near boiling, or boiling, water, it shrinks quite a bit and gets as hard as a rock. Quote Zlogonje Gunleathers
Members okie44 Posted March 31, 2011 Members Report Posted March 31, 2011 i have one of the Rock Island full size 1911's, with the smooth grips. These grips are a little smaller than standard, and if yours are the same, you might just cover them with leather. I think that is what has been done with the stingray grips I posted earlier. If you want to make them using all leather, you will need kydex, or metal, or some other material for a stiffener, as they are thin, and a long way between mounting holes. If you decide to try it, I'd like to see how they come out. Quote
Members Eaglestroker Posted April 1, 2011 Members Report Posted April 1, 2011 If you dunk leather in near boiling, or boiling, water, it shrinks quite a bit and gets as hard as a rock. I recently read an article about making armor using this method but can't find the link. He suggest 180*F for 30-60 seconds. It changes colors and after it drys it is very strong/brittle. Quote
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