Easy fix for loose grip

spacecoast · 09-29-2014, 06:26 AM

NOTE: this is only for guns considered "shooters", do not try with a gun you value as a Collectible.

As I'm sure many Luger shooters know, the grips can loosen up due to broken or missing wood edges on the inside of the grip. My refinished shooter DWM had this condition - the leading edges of the wood ridge inside the right grip had broken down and allowed the grip to flop forward. Still usable but very annoying. Nobody wants to use a gun where it feels like the grip isn't firmly attached.

My wife is into crafts and has a small hot glue gun with a very small nozzle. After comparing the loose right grip to one that fits tightly, I used a thin bead of hot glue to rebuild the missing wood. Putting it back on the gun, the glue is soft enough to conform to the edge of the frame it presses against, and the grip now fits perfectly with no wiggle at all!

I'll add another note that if you are concerned about the glue sticking to the frame, don't be. It gets very firm once it cures.

Rather than using too much glue (messy and difficult to remove), start slowly and use multiple applications if necessary. It just takes a little.

Zorba · 09-29-2014, 12:27 PM

I'm going to try this on a set of repro grips with no "edges" at all!

Olle · 09-29-2014, 09:55 PM

I read about this trick somewhere else, and it works great! However, I would like to find a harder type of glue that allows you to make a more permanent repair. Seems like the standard a bit soft, so it gets messed up if you remove the grips. A hard type of hot glue would be perfect to use in revolver grips where the holes have been wallered out. I usually use epoxy for this, but hot glue would be way quicker and less messy.

ithacaartist · 09-30-2014, 02:35 AM

I've used a similar method employing 1 hour epoxy. The epoxy works well and sets up hard. I also use it on the edges to shim when a grip is too short. To avoid having it stick to the gun, I tape a single layer of Saran Wrap to the area to be addressed. One can lay on a bead of mixed epoxy and gently form it as it cures, also removing any excess while it is still fudgey--but not sticky.

spacecoast · 09-30-2014, 06:21 AM

Quote:

However, I would like to find a harder type of glue that allows you to make a more permanent repair. Seems like the standard a bit soft, so it gets messed up if you remove the grips. A hard type of hot glue would be perfect to use in revolver grips where the holes have been wallered out. I usually use epoxy for this, but hot glue would be way quicker and less messy.

I agree, standard hot glue is pretty soft. I was lucky enough to pick up my wife's "high temp" glue gun when I did this fix, not only is the tip smaller, but it uses "mini glue", which appears to have a higher melting point (190C vs. 120C) and holds up better (and I'm thinking it must be harder when it cools).

http://www.harborfreight.com/high-te...gun-68337.html

http://www.clumsycrafter.com/2013/04...ue-gun-to-use/

Neil Young · 09-30-2014, 08:41 AM

Try Bondo. It can be shaped with files or knives while it is semi-hard, but when fully cured, it is rock hard.

alanint · 09-30-2014, 08:43 AM

JB Weld has worked in this same capacity for me on many occasions

Sergio Natali · 09-30-2014, 11:39 AM

Just to fix a bit the grip screws I use one drop of my wife's nail varnish, it works.

Sergio

Raulus · 10-09-2014, 01:26 PM

The glue gun workes miracles in just few seconds. And the glue doesn't stick to the wood, if I don't like it I can take it off any time and repeat the operation once again until it is perfect.

09-29-2014, 06:26 AM	#1
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	Easy fix for loose grip NOTE: this is only for guns considered "shooters", do not try with a gun you value as a Collectible. As I'm sure many Luger shooters know, the grips can loosen up due to broken or missing wood edges on the inside of the grip. My refinished shooter DWM had this condition - the leading edges of the wood ridge inside the right grip had broken down and allowed the grip to flop forward. Still usable but very annoying. Nobody wants to use a gun where it feels like the grip isn't firmly attached. My wife is into crafts and has a small hot glue gun with a very small nozzle. After comparing the loose right grip to one that fits tightly, I used a thin bead of hot glue to rebuild the missing wood. Putting it back on the gun, the glue is soft enough to conform to the edge of the frame it presses against, and the grip now fits perfectly with no wiggle at all! I'll add another note that if you are concerned about the glue sticking to the frame, don't be. It gets very firm once it cures. Rather than using too much glue (messy and difficult to remove), start slowly and use multiple applications if necessary. It just takes a little. Last edited by spacecoast; 09-29-2014 at 02:22 PM.

09-30-2014, 02:35 AM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,320 Thanks: 7,178 Thanked 2,532 Times in 1,348 Posts	I've used a similar method employing 1 hour epoxy. The epoxy works well and sets up hard. I also use it on the edges to shim when a grip is too short. To avoid having it stick to the gun, I tape a single layer of Saran Wrap to the area to be addressed. One can lay on a bead of mixed epoxy and gently form it as it cures, also removing any excess while it is still fudgey--but not sticky. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

09-30-2014, 08:41 AM	#6
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 545 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	Try Bondo. It can be shaped with files or knives while it is semi-hard, but when fully cured, it is rock hard. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

09-30-2014, 11:39 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Just to fix a bit the grip screws I use one drop of my wife's nail varnish, it works. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-29-2014, 12:27 PM	#2
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	I'm going to try this on a set of repro grips with no "edges" at all!

09-29-2014, 09:55 PM	#3
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	I read about this trick somewhere else, and it works great! However, I would like to find a harder type of glue that allows you to make a more permanent repair. Seems like the standard a bit soft, so it gets messed up if you remove the grips. A hard type of hot glue would be perfect to use in revolver grips where the holes have been wallered out. I usually use epoxy for this, but hot glue would be way quicker and less messy.

09-30-2014, 08:43 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	JB Weld has worked in this same capacity for me on many occasions

10-09-2014, 01:26 PM	#9
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The glue gun workes miracles in just few seconds. And the glue doesn't stick to the wood, if I don't like it I can take it off any time and repeat the operation once again until it is perfect.