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SP 101 Eagle grip fit

5K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  steveo 
#1 · (Edited)
SP 101 Eagle grip fit with Pictures

So last week I purchased a used (50-60 round count) SP101. It was already wearing the Houge rubber grips. I liked them ok, but prefer a shorter, snag free wood grip. I found a "New-old stock" pair of Eagle "Ruger SP101 Secret Service Rosewood Checkered" grips on Gunbroker for $47.99. I installed them today, but noticed with a little bit of force, there is some front to back wiggle action. I'm not applying an extreme amount of force. Actually much less than standard recoil. The gap between the trigger gaurd and grips opens and closes when wiggled. Is this normal? If not, can it be fixed? I was thinking about using some liquid nail or other hardening compound inside the grips and then carving out a tighter fit. Let me know what advice you may have. Keep in mind that I can't send these back to Eagle due the the purchase on Gunbroker. See pics below.











 
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#2 ·
I had a similar problem with my pachmayr compacs. On the back side of the grip "stud", right below the tang there is a flat area. I taped 3 layers of silicon rubber tape there and the problem was solved. You can use other materials; pieces of a margarine container were suggested by a gunsmith known to the revolver world.
 
#3 ·
I had a terrible time in finding grips that really fit my GP-100. I finally found a Pachmayr Gripper that does, and they stay on it.

I left the factory grips on my SP-101, partly for that reason. If I try anything else, it'll be the Hogues that the factory sells.

All revolvers may need handfitted grips, as the frames have slight manufacturing variances, but Rugers seem worse than S&W's in that regard.
I was surprised: I thought Rugers would be more uniform, not less.
 
#4 ·
Are you using the grip panel locator pin? Since your SP101 had the Hogue you likely do not have one unless you bought one from Ruger, Brownells, Midway, etc. I put a set of Eagle grips on a GP100 and without the grip panel locator pin the fit was loose and would slide around showing all kinds of gap there. Bought the pin from Brownells (shipping will cost more than the part - they're like $3) and that brought everything into proper alignment and no more moving around.

The older GP100s had the pin because the old Lett grips used them and I think aftermarket makers like Eagle designed with the use of the pin in mind. Obviously the Hogues use their little metal saddle device and the screw from the bottom so all the SP101s with factory Hogues omit the pin.

Not promising you this is your solution but I think you need the pin in that grip anyway so you may as well get one. Call up Ruger CS and talk nice and they may just send you one for free.
 
#7 ·
Upon further inspection, I've noticed another problem. Part of the wood at the top of the grip is cracked. I did however, have that part that came with the Houge grips that the "saddle" fit over and placed it into the frame before re-installing the grips. That helped straighten up the grips, but there is still some play.







 
#9 ·
looks like you may still salvage the grip,

use a dremmel tool to fine tune the grip, (sliding the grip up as you remove grip material) untill it is a snug fit at the top.

Next, fill & relocate the holes used in the grip for the locator pin, (the big hole below the hammer spring) I would use two part epoxy glue to fill the locater holes. once the glue is completely dry you can drill the new location for the locator pin.

that should do it,

Good luck

Steve
 
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