Kooky Question On Leather Pistol Grips

[Fredo]

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

[Tac]

I have never seen leather grips before, but the idea sounds kind of cool.

[okie44]

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.

[Big G]

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

[gregintenn]

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.

[Fredo]

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.

[bison]

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.

[Shooter McGavin]

If you dunk leather in near boiling, or boiling, water, it shrinks quite a bit and gets as hard as a rock.

[okie44]

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.

[Eaglestroker]

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.