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February 3, 2018
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Has anyone here done a refinish on a set of powerwood grips? If so what paint did you use or tips. Have a set of targets that has some finish loss I would like to restore. John
February 16, 2016
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I refinished a fiberglass M14 stock with Krylon camo paint that wears pretty well, but ...
I don't believe painted handgun grips will last very long. Why not just get some real DW wood grips off FeePay or Hogue aftermarket ?
February 3, 2018
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June 8, 2009
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Good luck with your project. My first DW came with those grips, and they served me well for a long time. They became worn and chipped/cracked so I replaced them with factory Sacramento grips on both my small frame DWs. I haven't seen the plastic grip for some time, but the memory is telling me one of the medallions is missing and the other one is worn smooth. A lot of Montana trail miles.
Edit: my .357 has a black rear sight (no white outline) and the original front sight was solid black and pinned in place (no screw). I had a gunsmith cut the front sight for a red insert...a decision I regret now!
February 3, 2018
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Leonard mine was factory equipped with powerwood combats (ex shape actually). Your gun sounds like mine as far as it’s vintage. I prefer shooting with targets and had been on the hunt for powerwood targets. It currently wears dwa woods. They are really really hard to find in good condition or any condition, This pair is about the best I could find over quite a few years. The paint really didn’t hold up well at all on these plastic target grips. I’m going to mix up some enamel used on plastic models and match the color by mixing. Will be interesting how it goes. John
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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A 2K clear top coat would add to the finish's longevity after the paint/touch-up.
February 3, 2018
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Thanks for the clear recommendation . I will five that a shot. John
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Actually, they were not the on the first Dans, the models 8,9,11 and 12. It was at least 1971 and the introduction of the 14 and 15 that the Powerwood became an option. The first grips were the Michigan, Sacramento, Service (or Magna style) and Undercover. The original target grips debuted later. First they were either smooth or had a diamond shaped patch of checkering. There was also a checkered grip with no medallion. The DWA medallion did not appear until the debut of the dash 2s in late 1974.
If you want to keep the gun original you have options besides Powerwood. They were sold with porkchops but could be had on early dash 2s. Everyone has their own tastes, but the Powerwood grip was perhaps DWs worst idea IMHO. The Power Ports on the 44 mag was another silly idea.
A lot of folks criticize the exterior barrel nuts of the 11 and 12s but I think those are iconic. Perhaps it was the short, fast hammer fall of the Dans up to around serial number 25,000 that made them so accurate, but I think the early porkchops are the most accurate small frame guns they ever made. I have quite a few Dan Wesson grips besides the ones on my guns and Pistol packs.. I even have a couple of as new Powerwood grips somewhere. I would be amenable to a trade or sale if you were interested John. Let me know to look for a PM if you are game. I don't check PMs often and I somehow turned off alerts and don't know how to turn them back on. Ron
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
A lot of folks criticize the exterior barrel nuts ....
At first, I did not like the "unrefined" look of the exterior barrel nut pork chop revolvers, but later learned to appreciate their rugged good looks.
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