My K9 with reworked wood grips, hex head screws

[dusty10]

Here's a pic of my K9 with reshaped grips. I kind of bobtailed the back edge of the grips and rounded all sharp corners on them at mag well.
I stripped all the finish off and stained with a dark brown stain. Then I applied three coats Awlgrip Clear two-part polyurethane. Rubbed them down to a satin finish which is now impervious to sweat, oil, etc. They are also not as slippery in hand. Final touch was s.s. hex head grip screws.

I really liked the factory rubber grips but they would occasionally grab my shirt when IWB carrying. These reworked wood grips eliminate much of that problem for me.

[Bawanna]

Did the 3 coats of poly plug up the checkering or were they checkered? Can't really tell. They look real nice. Just gotta love wood.

[dusty10]

They weren't checkered. I felt that bobtail mod would cut into the checkering, making for an odd looking detail. The poly is not as slippery as factory finish on those grips.

[Bawanna]

I did nearly the same bobtail on the grips I made for my K40. It really improved the overall feel in my hand anyway. Seem to be on a bobtail kick lately for some reason. Bobtailed my Para, then the K40, then got my Cbob.
It's bobtail paradise in my house.

[GOOFA]

dusty10...
Excellent job with those grips. Thats one good looking K9.

[g26s239]

Those look really nice dusty.

[dusty10]

Thanks but I'm thinking of stripping them down and staining them black. I like an all black look better on a black frame gun.

[Bawanna]

Thanks but I'm thinking of stripping them down and staining them black. I like an all black look better on a black frame gun.

Don't waste your time staining those lovely grips. Wait for a piece of ebony. That will make your dreams come true.
Staining is a gamble, sometimes it comes out ok and sometimes it just never quite makes it. Those are real pretty just like they are and someone would be thrilled to have their gun wear em.

[dusty10]

Time is the one thing I don't have to waste. You're right, I'm on the hunt for that perfect piece of ebony to have the best of both cosmetic and functional worlds. In other words, K9 heaven...

[Warhammer]

Looks great, Dusy!

[Fireman1037]

My E9 is black on black, I worried how it would look with the wood, Yours is a beauty, If you find your elusive ebony I would happily buy those off you!
Fireman1037

[Bawanna]

I've always assumed that the K9 and the K40 use exactly the same frame and hence grips would interchange. Anybody dispute this?

I have a pretty piece of ebony on my bench as we speak. Still not up to snuff to start whittling on it but the day will come.

[Jeff00042]

Where did you find the stainless hex-head schrews?

[Warhammer]

Short (thin grip) screws for a 1911 will work. You can get then from Brownell's or any other gun parts website/catalog.

[gb6491]

I have a pretty piece of ebony on my bench as we speak. Still not up to snuff to start whittling on it but the day will come.

Bawanna does nice work. Somebody needs to get him started on a set of grips using that ebony. If I hadn't already ordered grips for my new 1911, I'd be pestering him about that wood.
Regards,
Greg