Tighten loose grips??

[Ron Smith]

Is there a collector proscribed method of tightening loose Luger grips? Or is bedding compound as acceptable to collectors as it is with normal people <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
I don't want any hardcore, toe the line types having a coronary when they see bedding compound on the grips of my 1916 Artillery. The grips are pretty sloppy from years of shrinkage.

Thanks! Ron

[Scott H.]

Ron, I have tried many things over the years and some tricks have worked better than others, but I was still not satisified with the results. I finally decided that I needed some type of material that would fill the small gap between the frame and the grip. I also wanted something that could be removed without doing any damage to the grip. What I have found that works the best for me is hot melt glue from a small handheld glue gun. What I do is apply a small bead on the top and bottom edge of the grip. After the glue cools slightly I put the grip on the pistol. The glue will then compress slightly and form itself to the frame and grip. I find that I can take the grips on and off and the glue stays on the edge of the grip. What I like best is that if you make a mistake putting on the glue all you do is wait until it fully cools and peal it off with no damage at all to the grip. The glue can be pealed off even years later without any trace or damage to the grip. Also when the glue has fully cooled it will dry clear and cannot be seen with the grips on the pistol. If applied correctly the grips will not have any movement at all when installed on the pistol. I do not know of anyone else that uses this hot glue method, but it works great for me. Possibly others will have a better idea that I have not considered. Let's see what fixes others are using.

[Ron Smith]

Scott, That's a great idea. Kind of a removable bedding compound. Maybe you should market it "Hot Grip Goop" . Thanks Scott.

[Ron Smith]

Scott, I tried the hot glue. Works great! Thanks for the brilliant idea. I really did'nt want to use bedding compound. Ran out of ideas. The previous owner had tiny strips of masking tape tucked along leading edge of the gpips. A great pit producing moistier attractor.(Bad idea). Fortunately It had'nt had time to do so.

Ron

[Scott H.]

Ron, yes the hot glue does work well. I have tried different types of shims including black plastic tape, brass strips, rubber strips, and rubber "O" rings. I was not really satisified with the end result until I used the hot melt glue. As of this date I have not found any down side to using the hot melt glue. I also like the fact that the glue can eaisly be removed at any time with no damage to the grip. I'm glad this idea worked as well for you as it has for me.

[Don H.]

Here is another trick that works well. Remove the screws and then take super glue and put a small amount right where the screw seats then sprinkle some saw dust on the super glue. If you do it right you can't even tell. Make your own saw dust from a piece of wood that looks the same color. When you put the screws back in it's tight.

[Pete Ebbink]

Last few credit cards I got in the mail were stuck to the cover letter with a dab of rubber "snot". I removed it from the paper and the back of the credit card and used the "snot ball" under the grips of my 1918 Arty...whose right grip was always a bit loose.

This stuff never seems to harden and can be easily removed with a little rubbing with a finger...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Ron Wood]

'snot a bad idea.

[Thor]

just dont "booger" up the work! (Sorry, couldnt resist!)

[Ron Smith]

Well this has degraded beyond redemption.
Scott there's your marketing hook.
"Get Scott's Luger Snot and Booger up your grips!"
"It's a good thing!"
You'll have to pay Pete royalties. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Where's John Sabato when you need him?

Ron

[Frank]

Hey Ron, that wasnot nice!!

and I'm not even ashamed!!!

[Ron Smith]

Frank, My Mom always said " ITSNOT what you say.It's what you don't say!. And I'm not!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Ron

[John Sabato]

Where was I ???? I was on a 4 day vacation with my 84 year old Dad at his

FIFTY NINTH Reunion of WW2 vets of the 9TH Infantry Division Association

...in Monticello NY, without the benefit of Internet Access... sorry if you felt neglected guys... I had a great time as always being among my heroes.

This is Dad and I at the formal banquet on the last night:



These are three of the guys that he fought with (E-Co, 2nd Bn, 39th Inf) who made it to the Reunion. The guy with the hat is Willie "Snuffy" Goldsmith, who was taken prisoner of war by the Germans and managed to escape while being marched from one camp to another several months later...



Also in the photo are Dick Solar, and Keith Lauer... heroes ALL... and the ladies in their lives.

While there I "captured" this photo of me



...with a 1947 Ford staff car that was driven up from southern VA by my friend Bill Mizell...



On a very sad note...His dad had made his reservations and prepaid for attending the reunion, but passed away on this last April 2nd... Bill came anyway to honor his dad's friends... and Bill says he will continue to make the reunions to honor his dad...

[Ron Smith]

You'er a lucky man to still be able to honor your Dad, while he's able to appreciate it. My Dad was a Combat Engineer/designated Sniper (Pacfic Theater) in WWII. Unfortunately he passed on 20 yrs ago April 9th. John, cherish every minute with him.

Ron