Grip panels are loose

Major Tom · 03-12-2020, 05:17 AM

The grip panels on my 1920 DWM seem a tad loose with fore and aft movement. I tried the o-ring under the screw head and didn't seem to help much. There is quite a bit of movement where the top of the grip fits into the frame. Possibly the wood has shrunk? Any other ideas on how to tighten them up?

DonVoigt · 03-12-2020, 08:29 AM

Yes, probably the wood has shrunk.

I've had some success by cutting a thin strip of electrical tape and placing on the frame where the grip rests, maybe two layers. You can experiment , no permanent change is done.

If you want to shoot, change the grips to another set; or for a permanent fix, add epoxy to the back of the wood grips to make them fit- I would not do this unless they are "shooter" grips only.

Tape also works in place of the O ring, just place on the frame at the bottom where the grip rests.

Major Tom · 03-13-2020, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the tip. Never thought of using tape. The grip panels were freshened up by Jim Oloman awhile back and look great.

tharpo · 03-13-2020, 06:42 PM

I have cut very small pieces of rubber band and put them between the frame and the grips. It seemed to help for me.

Tom

DonVoigt · 03-13-2020, 10:19 PM

one could use:
plastic,
wood,
metal shim stock,
waxed paper,
card board with grease,
the list goes on!

Use you imagination.

Major Tom · 03-15-2020, 01:41 PM

Just finished putting tape (electrician) on underside of grip panels. Worked very good. Thank you to all who relied.

03-12-2020, 05:17 AM	#1
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	Grip panels are loose The grip panels on my 1920 DWM seem a tad loose with fore and aft movement. I tried the o-ring under the screw head and didn't seem to help much. There is quite a bit of movement where the top of the grip fits into the frame. Possibly the wood has shrunk? Any other ideas on how to tighten them up? __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-12-2020, 08:29 AM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Yes, probably the wood has shrunk. I've had some success by cutting a thin strip of electrical tape and placing on the frame where the grip rests, maybe two layers. You can experiment , no permanent change is done. If you want to shoot, change the grips to another set; or for a permanent fix, add epoxy to the back of the wood grips to make them fit- I would not do this unless they are "shooter" grips only. Tape also works in place of the O ring, just place on the frame at the bottom where the grip rests. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

03-13-2020, 02:47 PM	#3
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	Thanks for the tip. Never thought of using tape. The grip panels were freshened up by Jim Oloman awhile back and look great. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-13-2020, 10:19 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	one could use: plastic, wood, metal shim stock, waxed paper, card board with grease, the list goes on! Use you imagination. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

03-15-2020, 01:41 PM	#6
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	Just finished putting tape (electrician) on underside of grip panels. Worked very good. Thank you to all who relied. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-13-2020, 06:42 PM	#4
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	I have cut very small pieces of rubber band and put them between the frame and the grips. It seemed to help for me. Tom