doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Shotgun grips: cross-section shapes?

Hi All,

I have a CSMC RBL-20 with a straight grip in English Walnut, which I find to be a really good field gun. (I am not trying to re-kindle any controversy on the RBL-20, I am just saying at its price point, and for me and my use, the RBL-20 is a good gun). My one and only niggle is that the grip area is a little large for my hand. I am thinking that it may not be too dificult to reduce the circumference of the grip with some wood removal, recheckering, and refinishing.

I have heard that various makers have provided straight shotgun grips in various cross-sectional shapes over the years. I am thinking that if I go to the trouble of reducing the circumference of my RBL-20g grip, I should also consider whether to change the cross-sectional shape to something that is perhaps more suitable to me. However, I am quite ignorant of the various cross-sectional shapes that were more commonly available, and the advantages and disadvantage of each shape. I know that since it is wood, it can be changed to any shape that still fits the frame, and I know that it can be changed to anything I want etc., but I would like to know some of the more tried and proven shape options and their advantages and disadvantages.

Can any of our esteemed members educate me on shotgun grip cross-section shapes?

TIA.

--shinbone

Shin
My Greener Hammer gun, from 1901 seems to have a Diamond hand, which I find very comfy to grip..in cross section its kinda like this v with another v upside down on top of it.Its very slender , & just plain nice to hold..
Kinda like this <> but turned a 1/4 turn either way , But its not real angular, the sharp bit aren't sharp, if you know what i mean
Cheers
Franc

Shinbone,

My RBL16 grip is nearly round, this does give it a full grip and it could be thinner side to side. I've considered the same work as you. It's not that the grip is too large. It's just not the most comfortable shape. Like you I don't have any knowledge of what is proper other than what feels right to me. I think I would make some mock ups from soft wood to try first.

Another concern is how much can be removed from the side before the draw bolt hole is weakened or worse!

I restocked an Ithaca/SKB 20ga that is a very similar gun. I was able to get the grip into a comfortable size and shape for my medium sized hands. That ended up being somewhat egg shaped, the larger end at the bottom. No problems with the throughbolt yet, fifteen years in use.

Chief

Maybe call Galazans and ask to speak to someone who could tell you how much the grip size could be reduced to.I like very slim grips. Bobby

If you get any info from them,please post it here. Thanks,Bobby

Thanks for the replies.

I would assume CSMC's posiiton will be something along the lines of "any alteration will void the factory warranty." And, since they couldn't control the grip thinning, they would not be willing to say how much it could safely be thinned. Although maybe the best solution is to send the gun to CSMC to have them do the work, which would probably void the warranty, nonethelss.

Franc Otte - Thanks for the info on your gun's grip shape. I imagine such a diamond cross-shape would be one of the simpler conversions, since that shape would easily preserve the spacing between the upper and lower tangs.

ChiefAmungum - Thanks for your comments. I can see how such a shape would fit the hand while preseving tang spacing.

I'll post an update when/as this project proceeds.

--shinbone

My favorite Ansley H. Fox 20-gauge is a 6 pound 3 ounce, 1913-vintage A-Grade, with 28-inch Krupp barrels, and the circumference of its standard half-pistol grip is exactly 4 inches. Four additional Fox 20s in my collection are all within 1/16 inch of 4 inches in circumference, even a heavy 30-inch barrel AE-Grade. My Launch Edition, straight-grip, RBL-20, also has 28-inch barrels and weighs 6 pounds 3 ounces. However, its grip is 4 9/16 inch in circumference. My RBL-28 is 4 7/16 in circumference while both my RBL-16 and my light frame RBL-12 have grips 4 3/4 inch in circumference. The grip of my 9 pound 12-gauge, 3-inch, Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl is only 4 5/8 inch in circumference. My largest Fox grip is on a 1939-vintage Fox-Sterlingworth Brush with the drawbolt frame, and it is 4 3/4 inch in circumference.

A.H. Fox Gun Co. made some of their guns with a rounded off diamond shape cross-section to the grips which I find very pleasing. I don't have such a Fox, but my straight grip 1918-vintage 12-gauge Husqvarna No. 310 AS has such a grip that is 4 3/16 inch in circumference which I find very pleasant.

Researcher - Great info! Thanks!

--shinbone

Shinbone / Franc, I have an XE grade CSMC fox, 20g. It has the diamond shape grip you described. It does feel good when you hold it. The grain in the stocks grip area of this gun doesn't seem to be layed out for maximum strength. Sometimes I wonder if the diamond shape was used to provide a little extra wood through that area. I really don't know why it was chosen but it does fit in the hand nicely.
terc

By "grip" I assume you mean the wrist.

Check out the wrist on a H&H. It's truly remarkable. It has an eccentric cross-section that fits the hand very well - I think it is one of the reasons these guns handle so well.

I have a Beretta Silverhawk English stock DT SxS that I love dearly but mostly because my wife gave it to me. There is nothing wrong with the gun but the wrist feels very chunky now that I've graduated a bit.

I cannot comment on the RBL but I do understand the issue with the feel of the grip, or the wrist.