Luger Plastic Grips

Marvin · 06-03-2001, 06:57 AM

Ted,

I could be wrong on this, but I think the PPK grips are a thermoset plastic (injection molded) and did not contain any filler material. The plastic "mottling" is from the use of re-ground material being added to the virgin material. Thermoset plastic can be reground and mixed with the new material, but will give the "mottled" look that we see. Sometimes a manufacturer will add this re-grind to purposly get that finish. I don't know if Walther did this on purpose or not but they are really nice to look at. As to the top of the grips warping; this is mostly caused by the very thin section at the top of the grips. The material if 60-70 years old now and the plastic of those days was in it's infancy and therefore will tend to change a little over the years from handling, heat, cold, etc. If the cross section on the top of the grips were a little thicker, the problem would not exist.

Marvin

06-03-2001, 06:57 AM	#13
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bakelite/PPK Grips/OT Ted, I could be wrong on this, but I think the PPK grips are a thermoset plastic (injection molded) and did not contain any filler material. The plastic "mottling" is from the use of re-ground material being added to the virgin material. Thermoset plastic can be reground and mixed with the new material, but will give the "mottled" look that we see. Sometimes a manufacturer will add this re-grind to purposly get that finish. I don't know if Walther did this on purpose or not but they are really nice to look at. As to the top of the grips warping; this is mostly caused by the very thin section at the top of the grips. The material if 60-70 years old now and the plastic of those days was in it's infancy and therefore will tend to change a little over the years from handling, heat, cold, etc. If the cross section on the top of the grips were a little thicker, the problem would not exist. Marvin