Pistol Grip Cap Size/Dimensions for 8/81D+ Grades

[fatcatbestcat]

Hello again,

I'm here with a someone obscure and asinine question; does anyone happen to have the dimensions of the Remington-branded pistol grip caps as used on Peerless and higher grade Model 8/81s?

I am planning to "up-trim" my 1949 Model 81 to an 81C or 81D as a summer project. I'm not going to engrave it or change any markings or anything in order to make a fake, but there are so few higher grade 81s out there (and likely next to none up here in Canada) and I like fancy wood, so why not?

[Hibby83]

Mr. Cat

Here's my 1946 date, 20 gauge SKEET grade Remington Sportsman "Model 11."

I'll get measurements this eve and post up.

There are good looking reproductions out there. I'm not sure if this fits the bill of what you're lookin for.

[Hibby83]

Here's the measurements.

I didn't mention in the prior post, your stock set looks beautiful. Looking forward to see the progression.!.!.

[fatcatbestcat]

Here's the measurements.

I didn't mention in the prior post, your stock set looks beautiful. Looking forward to see the progression.!.!.

Thanks for the replies, Hibby!

Those definitely help. I'm just shopping for steel grip caps and trying to approximate what Remington would have used. I'm on the fence about keeping the original stock lines and making my '81 into an 81C or 81B (although I suppose either would be a bit anachronistic - since Remington never used Turkish walnut on either grades...). I was thinking of the 81Ds in regards to grip caps, but I have come across a few pictures of the Fancy grade rifles with them, which makes sense. It looks like they keep that line down the inside of the grip the same but thin out the wrist a little more to fit the grip cap.

I'll post some pictures when the project is further along... hopefully no-one objects to me putting a "build thread" in the picture sharing subforum

[Hibby83]

Sounds good, you're welcome!

Going for a smooth or special type metal grip cap?

I've got to see 54Bullseye's 81 high grades, they all had the same type of grip cap I posted. Dimension may* have been slightly different, cant confirm.

Please post 'em up in time.
I'm certain you won't encounter any objections.

[fatcatbestcat]

Sounds good, you're welcome!

Going for a smooth or special type metal grip cap?

I've got to see 54Bullseye's 81 high grades, they all had the same type of grip cap I posted. Dimension may* have been slightly different, cant confirm.

Well, ideally I would definitely rather have the original-style plastic 'fleur de lis' grip cap but I'm having trouble finding anyone who is willing to ship one to Canada. Seems eBay has everything gun-related blanketed under ITAR so nobody wants to ship. A shame, I was looking to get a Lyman #6 folding rear sight for my rifle and nobody up here seems to have any.

That seems to also be true for any steel grip caps - I had thought of doing one of those smooth 'skeleton' style caps and checkering the display portion, but I guess not.

[81police]

Hibby that was super helpful btw..just saying! So glad you're on the forums!

[Hibby83]

Mr. CAT, hope you have friends south of the border to help you out.

81POLICE- Thank you. Happy to be part of the group!

[1913Model8]

Can't wait to see more progress and the final results. Looks like a really fun project. Did you shape the stock and forearm yourself?

[fatcatbestcat]

[/quote]

Mr. CAT, hope you have friends south of the border to help you out.

I may have found a reasonable substitute. Triple-K Mfg. in San Diego, California has loads of repro butt plates and grip caps. Looks like they have two different sizes of those fleur de lis-type caps, so I went ahead and ordered one with a screw. They'll ship to Canada, apparently!

Can't wait to see more progress and the final results. Looks like a really fun project. Did you shape the stock and forearm yourself?

Thanks! I did precisely none of the shaping so far, so I cannot take credit just yet. I sent my old stock and some Turkish walnut blanks to Ross Rifle Restoration in Alberta, up here in Canada. They do a lot of Enfield and a few other 2-piece stocks, and was pleased to hear back from them that they would duplicate my 81's stocks. There is going to be a LOT of inletting to do, so I'm going to take my time and try and get a fit as good as, or better than factory Remington.

[Phyrbird]

FCBC
Just a heads up, the GrD caps are phenolic (plastic) Remington parts. I'm fairly sure Jack would have knowledge of the Gr E & F better than I. I bought some a decade ago for an 81. Still need to do some light inletting for the best fit. Don't recall the vendor but they may still be available. As they were standard on the better grade bolt rifles.
Carl

[fatcatbestcat]

I have not yet heard back from Triple-K about my order, I will have to send them another email to be sure they can/will actually ship it to my address.

In the meantime, I got the buttstock and forend back from the stock builder, and couldn't help but rub some linseed oil on them to see how they'd turn out.





This may be a little too fancy for a B/C Grade 81

The forend should be pretty easy to get fitted, I will have to drill and carve out the conical cavity for the disassembly lever. The buttstock is a bigger challenge since it doesn't have the long channel route for the action spring assembly.

[1913Model8]

Looking great!