Pietta "Tail"

[Roshi]

I've heard much and seen instructions about removing the "tail" from Pietta 51 Navy grips.

I'm confused. I don't see any difference between the grip shape "tail" on my recently purchased Dixie Gun Works Pietta 51 and pictures of original Colt 51 Navy grips.

I will admit the Pietta grips feel a bit "blocky" but I also have small hands. I do intend to slim them a bit and maybe I will straighten the tail but that will be for personalizing the pistol not to correct the looks.

Can others comment? Are newer Pietta's closer to true form? Is there a significant variation in original 51 Navy pistols?

 

[Hawg]

They still have the Pietta trumpet flare the originals didn't have. Pietta also makes their grips really fat with proud wood where they meet the frame. Remingtons are worse in that respect than Colt's.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Roshi, Piettas have a more trumpet bell shaped bottom on their grips than found on the Colt/Uberti grips. The waist is also thinner on the Pietta. Here are the dimensions and picture from one of the grip makers sites.

Uberti/Colt dimensions:
•Front vertical edge (A) = 1.06 inch
•Overall height (B) = 3.125 inch
•Width of base (C) 2.187 inch
•Midpoint of A to rear edge (D) = 2 inches

Pietta Dimensions:
•Front verticle edge (A) = 0.95 inches
•Overall height (B) = 3.2 inches
•Width of the base (C) = 2.4 inches
•Centerline of front edge to rear edge (D) = 1.7 inches

 

[Roshi]

My dimensions

Thanks Fingers!

Measured mine:

A= 0.95
B= 3.10
c= 2.30
D= 1.70

Looks like they have taken a little off the "tail".

They only stand proud 0.02 above the frame but I'll reduce that a bit.

Could some one measure the max width of the grip just above the base of the grip strap?

Mine = 1.475

I'm going to trim the tail to the Uberti/Colt size but also feel that the width at the base should be reduced as well.

 

[Roshi]

Reshaped

I reshaped the grip. Took about an hour. I scribed a line straight along the back strap. I started with cross wise saw cuts then moved to a small belt sander and files. I had to take off a bit more than expected due to some casting porosity. Sanded the grips to shape. It feels good. I don't know if it looks more authentic.

 

[Beagle333]

That looks good to me! I never did like those Pietta Navy grips.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Lookin Good Roshi. Looks a lot more like a gen-u-wine Colt

 

[Roshi]

Completed Grip

Here it is after staining and oiling.

 

[Hawg]

Now you've got me wanting to do mine but I know I would screw it up.