First try at Crosman Grips

[WhatUPSbox?]

Thanks to a successful buy-and-save strategy in Bargain-gate, I ended with a collection of plastic gripped Crosman pistols. Since there is a handful of them, I took a shot at making some nicer grips. I'm not a woodworker but do enjoy making larger pieces of wood into smaller pieces from time to time. I used the writeups on Another Airgun Blog as general guidance http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/search/label/grips?updated-max=2009-08-29T18:58:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=18&by-date=false . Only after I made them, did I find Randy's How-to in this gate https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96164.0 His glue-up approach is a good alternative to forming the inside of the grips. Also a little late, I found the woods not to use thread  https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=145350.0 so of course my grips are done in Lowes red oak (I did chamfer them so that they do not contact steel other than the mounting screw).

It took a little strategy in picking the method for cutting the relief in the back side, so it was more work to get to the Dremel-ready stage (first image) than the actual shaping of the contours. The Dremel 1/2" drum sander bit with a coarse band was a wonder at removing and shaping material, just the right size for the finger grooves. I wanted to try a fairly deep thumb and index finger channel so I started each side at 3/4" thick.  Lots of fit checks later, the grips fit my hand pretty well. I left one unstained and one has cherry stain that I had. Pretty happy with the results (of course if you look closely there are typical beginner flaws)

So now the plastic grips don't feel that good and I'll be making more of these. May even try one with a target shelf on the bottom.

If you are thinking of trying to make a set, go for it. The material cost is trivial and all it costs is some hobby time.

[ShakySarge]

Well done. I like them.

[Wayne52]

My favorite grips are the one piece that came on the 150's.  They actually had both but I'm not sure when either type was first introduced.  Many of the parts on the Crosman 150 type 1 & 2 have numbers that coincide with other older Crosman pistols. 

My most recent 150 has 2 piece grips



This one here has the one piece grip and from the side view you can't tell the difference.



One with the white handles I noticed they creak real bad, the one piece are the best IMO but they're both very comfortable.

My Ted Williams (Sears) has the one piece grip



Here's another variation they used on the type 2's which were 2 piece.

[Stinger177]

Those are nice looking grips! They appear from the back view to be a bit wider than these that came on my 2240. I don't know who made them (were these a Crosman option in the day?). I actually don't find them very comfortable for some reason and it could be that they are too narrow. Or maybe it's the lack of a forefinger shelf on the right side.

[Stinger177]

May even try one with a target shelf on the bottom.

Just caught that statement. A palm shelf is something I'd really like to see on a Crosman. I might even be interested in buying a set from you. Custom grips is one of my favorite things on my airguns. (hint, hint... )

[Hoosier Daddy]

Nice job Stan and thanks for the links!
I would like to give it a try myself.

Dennis, those look like Crosman Custom Shop cocobolo "target" grips. I have a set of "sportsman" from them. Too bad they aren't offered anymore, the color of that wood is amazing.

[WhatUPSbox?]

Scott, I don't want to be accused of trying to influence  your mini mill decision but using mine made it easy to form the backside reliefs needed for the Crosmans.

I did make one side just using a drill press, router bit and a cross vise and that worked but it was a little harder to get the precise depth. 

[Rick67]

They look nice, WUB.

I wonder why there are only a few who makes them in laminates.

[WhatUPSbox?]

Dennis, Yeah, I started with the two 3/4" planks, that made for a wide grip. I wanted to try fairly deep thumb and forefinger shelves. Also in the airgun blog write up he shows how he formed the mound to fit into the center of the palm. In the Dremel fitting, it was fun trying to even make a pocket for the joint on the thumb.

I'm trying to figure out if the palm shelf needs to be adjustable like the airgun blog did or just sized once with the right step.

[Rick67]

Laminates like this one:


https://squareup.com/store/bellagrips/


This is probably Crosman's supplier:


https://www.dbwebbinc.com/crosman-grips.html

[Stinger177]

I'm trying to figure out if the palm shelf needs to be adjustable like the airgun blog did or just sized once with the right step.

If it were me I'd definitely make them adjustable.

This is probably Crosman's supplier:

https://www.dbwebbinc.com/crosman-grips.html

I like those Sportsman Bloodwood grips. They have the finger grooves like Stan is doing, but still no forefinger shelf.

I have yet to see any that cover the safety.

[Slavia]

I also used the overarm routing approach with a drill press, X/Y vise, and router bit.  I scanned the grip frame and glued the printout to the wood with rubber cement to help locate the rebates and screw holes.  Sculpting was done with a Dremel and 1/2" sanding drum, followed by pulling shop roll through under my thumb in the manner of a micro belt sander.

[Stinger177]

I also used the overarm routing approach with a drill press, X/Y vise, and router bit.  I scanned the grip frame and glued the printout to the wood with rubber cement to help locate the rebates and screw holes.  Sculpting was done with a Dremel and 1/2" sanding drum, followed by pulling shop roll through under my thumb in the manner of a micro belt sander.

Why is there an eyecup on that pistol's sight? And what rear sight is that exactly?

[Slavia]

It's a homebrew aperture sight - all hardware store fare.  The "eye cup" was an industrial suction cup in a former life.  It's there to shield part of the target area and remove visual distractions.  Works great for bulls eyes on paper, but target acquisition is kind of slow for anything else.

[Stinger177]

It's a homebrew aperture sight - all hardware store fare.  The "eye cup" was an industrial suction cup in a former life.  It's there to shield part of the target area and remove visual distractions.  Works great for bulls eyes on paper, but target acquisition is kind of slow for anything else.

Haha!! That's great! You should stamp FWB on it just to make it even more, ah...German/Industrial looking?

Love it!!   

[WhatUPSbox?]

That's what I was thinking of with a non-adjustable bottom palm shelf. Attach it to the bottom (did you use inserts in the grips) and trim the height/shape to fit like everything else. Thanks for the great example.

[Insanity]

For a first try they look great.

[Slavia]

For the shelf I simply drilled and tapped 6-32 holes in the bottom of the grip frame.  It's thick and wide enough (i.e., has enough "meat") if you center the holes carefully.  I suppose it could be made adjustable with spacers or stacked washers, as long as you omit that little flare at the bottom of the grip.

[WhatUPSbox?]

Thanks, the grip frame is probably the easiest. If they are for yourself, one probably doesn't need the adjustability. Just set the height during the shaping.

Thanks again

[Rick67]

In case someone is looking for a southpaw 2250/2400KT grip in walnut:


https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/usedguns.html/crosman-2250-left-handed-walnut-pistol-stock-used/


Orthodox walnut grips:


https://www.@#$%^.com/Walnut-Grips-for-Crosman-Air-Pistols-p/crosmanpistolgripswlanutrh.htm