So I acquired some inexpensive, though seemingly well constructed and at least visually appealing Buffalo bone grips for my stainless Ruger 1911. They go on okay though I notice that the left panel doesn’t go 100% flat on the upper aspect, right where the safety plunger tube (I think that’s what it’s called) is. It looks like the inside of the grip panel needs to be relieved some, but what is the best method and tool for this job? I don’t need to take much, maybe a mm or 2 so it will then not touch the tube.

Here’s a pic of the grip area I’m talking about.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LincolnSixEcho,

I had some Stag grips and also Giraffe Bone grips that I wanted to modify, similar to what your doing.
I called Mike @ MDGRIPS, and he said that bone is similar to wood in the aspect of cutting and sanding it.
In both cases I used progressively finer sandpaper to give the finish that I wanted. Are used a Dremel with a small barrel sander that a medium speed to takeoff small amounts of material in order to allow my thumb safety to fit properly.

Perhaps a small round file like would be used to sharpen a chainsaw. Or sandpaper wrapped around an appropriate diameter dowel or nail.

Yeah I tried some sandpaper and it worked pretty well. Just a little at a time. Needs a tiny bit more removed, but overall it’s getting there. Thanks!

If you own a good set of needle files, they should do the job for you.

Are bone / stag grips coated with a sealer that helps to keep them from fading and cracking?

It seems mine are, at least with a very thin layer of something.

Got them to fit after a bit more sanding, little at a time. They seem nice enough. Not as nice as say giraffe or ivory, but I wanted something that was not synthetic for a change so I figured Buffalo bone would be a good compromise. Color is clean and they fill the hand a little more than the factory wood grips.

WOW! Those are indeed beautiful. Looks great on there.

quote:

Originally posted by SigFan:
WOW! Those are indeed beautiful. Looks great on there.

Thanks a lot! I was on the fence about if it would look good with the black controls, but it’s growing on me.

Those do look amazing!

Very nice. How does that Off. Mod. F,F,& E ?

quote:

Originally posted by yucaipa:
Very nice. How does that Off. Mod. F,F,& E ?

FF and E???

I think he means feed, fire, and eject. but it's not an "off. mod." to begin with....

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:

quote:

Originally posted by yucaipa:
Very nice. How does that Off. Mod. F,F,& E ?

FF and E???

Yes, Feed Fire Eject. I looks like a Officers Model to me ?

Beautiful job. Looks great.

Congratulations

That is a good looking combination

Thanks guys. To answer the question now that I know what is being asked, it shoots fine thus far with no issues. The grip safety is a little loose side to side, but overall fit and finish is pretty good on this Ruger commander.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
Thanks guys. To answer the question now that I know what is being asked, it shoots fine thus far with no issues. The grip safety is a little loose side to side, but overall fit and finish is pretty good on this Ruger commander.

Yes a Commander. Looking at the machining at front of slide/frame. The camera angle on your 2nd picture got me.

I asked about function because I know two people who bought Ruger 1911 (officers) for CC. One ran great out of the box. The other guy had send his back. Ruger made it right and they both run.

Your Commander looks real nice with those grips.