Russian grips?

jeffs · 06-21-2009, 08:24 PM

Dear experts

Are the grips pictured at this link ever found on VOPO lugers imported in the 1960'-1970's, or rather are these characteristic of lugers released from behind the iron curtain in the early 1990's?

Thanks,
Jeff

jeffs · 06-21-2009, 08:52 PM

Whoops! Here is the link:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131459190

MFC · 06-21-2009, 11:36 PM

Jeff,
Every time I see these type of grips they are on Russian captured.

Vlim · 06-22-2009, 05:02 AM

Correct, still no definite origin of these grips is known but they are found on pistols that come from former Eastern Block storage. Since they follow the lines of the grips on the Tokarev pistols I have nicknamed them the 'Tokarev Style Grips'.

They differ greatly from the DDR grips which are made of bakelite and are hollow inside. These 'Tok Style' grips are massive, quite a good fit and rather comfortable, which makes me think they were issued or meant to be issued at a certain point in time. They stand far away from the poor quality injection molded black grips you find on other Eastern-Block imports, those are only there to give the pistols grips for a quick resale.

jeffs · 06-22-2009, 08:19 AM

THanks!

Jeff

John Sabato · 06-22-2009, 09:55 AM

I have found that these grooved grips are not a very good fit on Mauser frames (they don't reach the edges in all places) but are solid when installed and make a perfectly functional grip... though IMHO not very aesthetic... They do seem to fit Erfurt and DWM frames a little better...

I believe that they are Russian in origin, but can't provide any documentation to that effct...

I own a pair, but can't seem to find them...

jeffs · 06-22-2009, 11:40 AM

Thanks!
Jeff

sheepherder · 06-22-2009, 06:04 PM

I also found a pair of "Russian" grips on GB for $35...Very nice; no bubbles, no warping, quite solid. Mine fit my DWM commercial; haven't tried them on anything else...

I also got a pair of the accursed cast resin grips in a 3 for 1 eBay deal; they are worthless...warped, don't fit, and hang over the edges...(Actually, one is straight; the other bends up like a potato chip)...

jeffs · 06-27-2009, 12:05 PM

Do the takedown lever, side plate, and one or both of the toggles appear to be of East German (VOPO) manufacture?

THanks,
Jeff

06-21-2009, 08:24 PM	#1
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Russian grips? Dear experts Are the grips pictured at this link ever found on VOPO lugers imported in the 1960'-1970's, or rather are these characteristic of lugers released from behind the iron curtain in the early 1990's? Thanks, Jeff

06-21-2009, 11:36 PM	#3
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Jeff, Every time I see these type of grips they are on Russian captured. __________________ Mike C.

06-22-2009, 09:55 AM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I have found that these grooved grips are not a very good fit on Mauser frames (they don't reach the edges in all places) but are solid when installed and make a perfectly functional grip... though IMHO not very aesthetic... They do seem to fit Erfurt and DWM frames a little better... I believe that they are Russian in origin, but can't provide any documentation to that effct... I own a pair, but can't seem to find them... __________________ 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..."*

06-21-2009, 08:52 PM	#2
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Whoops! Here is the link: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131459190

06-22-2009, 05:02 AM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,045 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,939 Times in 1,196 Posts	Correct, still no definite origin of these grips is known but they are found on pistols that come from former Eastern Block storage. Since they follow the lines of the grips on the Tokarev pistols I have nicknamed them the 'Tokarev Style Grips'. They differ greatly from the DDR grips which are made of bakelite and are hollow inside. These 'Tok Style' grips are massive, quite a good fit and rather comfortable, which makes me think they were issued or meant to be issued at a certain point in time. They stand far away from the poor quality injection molded black grips you find on other Eastern-Block imports, those are only there to give the pistols grips for a quick resale.

06-22-2009, 08:19 AM	#5
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	THanks! Jeff

06-22-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks! Jeff

06-22-2009, 06:04 PM	#8
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	I also found a pair of "Russian" grips on GB for $35...Very nice; no bubbles, no warping, quite solid. Mine fit my DWM commercial; haven't tried them on anything else... I also got a pair of the accursed cast resin grips in a 3 for 1 eBay deal; they are worthless...warped, don't fit, and hang over the edges...(Actually, one is straight; the other bends up like a potato chip)...

06-27-2009, 12:05 PM	#9
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Do the takedown lever, side plate, and one or both of the toggles appear to be of East German (VOPO) manufacture? THanks, Jeff