Difference in grips?

omegaman · 06-03-2011, 05:26 PM

Is there some sort of size difference between standard P08 luger grips, and those for an LP08 Artillery Luger?

I've tried two different sets of aftermarket grips on my 1917 DWM Artillery Luger, and each set was too short at the top and the bottom.

If there is a difference, what should I look for in the description before I buy?

Thanks!

alanint · 06-03-2011, 05:55 PM

There is no difference in the grips for the artillery. The problem lies in that aftermarket grips come in a vast array of qualities. The really good ones usually drop right on, where most require some fitting. For them to be too short seems strange.
Can you post a photo of the grips in place so the difference can be seen?

spartacus38 · 06-03-2011, 06:08 PM

I also have found no difference in the size of Artillery grips.
Bob

Kitkat041836 · 06-03-2011, 07:17 PM

There is no difference,it could be the after market grips you tried were fitted before and to much was taken off them or they got wet and shrunk.They also could have been made
out of wood that was not dried.
Thanks George

omegaman · 06-03-2011, 07:26 PM

This shows the difference. While I realize they are cheap plastic ones, they were intended to be on for handling and shooting while putting the original wood ones away for safekeeping.

Kitkat041836 · 06-03-2011, 10:11 PM

They look like they came off a toy gun, get rid of them they
are just junk and should not be used on a real gun.
Thanks George

Ron Wood · 06-03-2011, 10:44 PM

They probably are old Franzite grips from the 50s or 60s. They had several different styles, all plastic or bakelite, and were pretty good replacements for shooting. This "rainbow" multicolored version was not a big seller and as you have seen, that particular blend of plastic had a tendency to shrink and not always in the same dimension. This is the first time I have seen a set that shrank lengthwise.

MFC · 06-03-2011, 11:56 PM

You could use them to make a baby Artillery.

John Sabato · 06-04-2011, 12:39 AM

I concur with Ron's assessment. Franzite grips (the name is probably marked in the plastic on the inside) are known for the shrinkage with age. While good for shooting when new, I have not seen a set in years that was still a good fit...

omegaman · 06-07-2011, 09:11 AM

Thanks to all for their help in trying to understand my shrunken grip problem!

With all the input considered, what would be a good choice for a set of grips to use for shooting and general handling? I'd like to find something that wouldn't break the bank, and yet look decent too.

Dick Herman · 06-08-2011, 01:06 PM

My first Luger was a 30 caliber 1920 Commercial with Franzite "stag" grips and a ivory magazine knob. That was in 1961 when I made too many bad decisions. Wooden grips and proper magazine knob replaced the Franzite items.

Recently found the Franzite grips in my box of stuff. I tried to put the grips on the 1920 Luger to show some friends. The Franzite "stag" grips shrank just like the ones pictured above.

The curing and subsequent shrinking of some of the early after market plastic grips in amazing. The stability of the VOPO grips illustrates proper materials and application.

John Sabato · 06-08-2011, 04:07 PM

The "Bullseye" bakelite grips produced by/for the East German Volkspolizei (VOPO), short of repro wood grips, IMHO are the best shooter grips you can buy... and they aren't all that expensive either. They are very durable, and fit the hand well. I have never seen a pair that has shrunk... I highly recommend their use to keep "original" grips safe...

omegaman · 06-08-2011, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the good input. Would 'Black Widow' type grips work also?

Edward Tinker · 06-08-2011, 05:53 PM

yes, but unless you buy original ones, most are poorly made.

There are some made much better and harder to tell from originals, but a lot I have seen are bad.

But I would buy some nice repro wood ones on an artillery... although that said, I have some actual stag ones on my shooter

06-03-2011, 05:26 PM	#1
omegaman User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Difference in grips? Is there some sort of size difference between standard P08 luger grips, and those for an LP08 Artillery Luger? I've tried two different sets of aftermarket grips on my 1917 DWM Artillery Luger, and each set was too short at the top and the bottom. If there is a difference, what should I look for in the description before I buy? Thanks!

06-03-2011, 07:26 PM	#5
omegaman User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Grip Difference Photo This shows the difference. While I realize they are cheap plastic ones, they were intended to be on for handling and shooting while putting the original wood ones away for safekeeping. Attached Thumbnails

06-03-2011, 10:44 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,020 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,174 Times in 1,701 Posts	They probably are old Franzite grips from the 50s or 60s. They had several different styles, all plastic or bakelite, and were pretty good replacements for shooting. This "rainbow" multicolored version was not a big seller and as you have seen, that particular blend of plastic had a tendency to shrink and not always in the same dimension. This is the first time I have seen a set that shrank lengthwise. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

06-03-2011, 11:56 PM	#8
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	You could use them to make a baby Artillery. __________________ Mike C.

06-04-2011, 12:39 AM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	I concur with Ron's assessment. Franzite grips (the name is probably marked in the plastic on the inside) are known for the shrinkage with age. While good for shooting when new, I have not seen a set in years that was still a good fit... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-03-2011, 05:55 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	There is no difference in the grips for the artillery. The problem lies in that aftermarket grips come in a vast array of qualities. The really good ones usually drop right on, where most require some fitting. For them to be too short seems strange. Can you post a photo of the grips in place so the difference can be seen?

06-03-2011, 06:08 PM	#3
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	I also have found no difference in the size of Artillery grips. Bob

06-03-2011, 07:17 PM	#4
Kitkat041836 RIP Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 195 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	There is no difference,it could be the after market grips you tried were fitted before and to much was taken off them or they got wet and shrunk.They also could have been made out of wood that was not dried. Thanks George

06-03-2011, 10:11 PM	#6
Kitkat041836 RIP Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 195 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	They look like they came off a toy gun, get rid of them they are just junk and should not be used on a real gun. Thanks George

06-07-2011, 09:11 AM	#10
omegaman User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to all for their help in trying to understand my shrunken grip problem! With all the input considered, what would be a good choice for a set of grips to use for shooting and general handling? I'd like to find something that wouldn't break the bank, and yet look decent too.

06-08-2011, 01:06 PM	#11
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	Early Pimp Gun My first Luger was a 30 caliber 1920 Commercial with Franzite "stag" grips and a ivory magazine knob. That was in 1961 when I made too many bad decisions. Wooden grips and proper magazine knob replaced the Franzite items. Recently found the Franzite grips in my box of stuff. I tried to put the grips on the 1920 Luger to show some friends. The Franzite "stag" grips shrank just like the ones pictured above. The curing and subsequent shrinking of some of the early after market plastic grips in amazing. The stability of the VOPO grips illustrates proper materials and application.

06-08-2011, 04:07 PM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	The "Bullseye" bakelite grips produced by/for the East German Volkspolizei (VOPO), short of repro wood grips, IMHO are the best shooter grips you can buy... and they aren't all that expensive either. They are very durable, and fit the hand well. I have never seen a pair that has shrunk... I highly recommend their use to keep "original" grips safe... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-08-2011, 05:29 PM	#13
omegaman User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Black Widow? Thanks for the good input. Would 'Black Widow' type grips work also?

06-08-2011, 05:53 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,931 Thanks: 2,031 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	yes, but unless you buy original ones, most are poorly made. There are some made much better and harder to tell from originals, but a lot I have seen are bad. But I would buy some nice repro wood ones on an artillery... although that said, I have some actual stag ones on my shooter __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV