Restock of my GH straight grip

[Bill Murphy]

I don't know how it's done, but I have seen guns that were "proud" and now they're not. It must have something to do with matching epoxy but it has to be easier than restocking and maintains originality somewhat.

[B. Dudley]

Yes, I will be going the work myself. Will be an ongoing project inbetween all the other things I have to do.

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I don't know how it's done, but I have seen guns that were "proud" and now they're not. It must have something to do with matching epoxy but it has to be easier than restocking and maintains originality somewhat.

Bill,
I recall a post by Jeff Mulliken a few years ago where he actually soaked the head of the stock to swell the grain and it apparently would dry that way allowing for some increased thickness around the frame. I never tried it just repeating what I read.

[B. Dudley]

Soaking or steaming will raise the level of the wood to an extent and can help with ding or dents, and maybe if the wood has been sanded to low to some extent. But believe me, with this original stock of mine, I don't think there is any helping it. I have a blank of walnut that is pretty darn close in both color and figure that I plan to use. I will be posting pics of it soon.

[B. Dudley]

Here are a few pictures of the blank that I plan to use on my GH. It is from my stock of walnut. Air dried for 20+ years. All the trees were 200+ years old easy.
This piece has a bit more curl in it than my original stock, but it is close to consistent with some of the G grades I have seen. Just a bit nicer. Color once finished could be pretty darn close as well. I did another stock out of the same slab of wood and the color is right where I would want it for this project.

Stock Blank 1.jpg

Stock Blank 2.jpg