Grip panel dowel adjustment or removal

[novacz]

I've recently purchased a ruger single ten that has a misaligned grip panel dowel, causing one of the grip panels to not sit flush.

I tried lightly tapping it with a screwdriver handle and twisting it with needlenose pliers, but it won't budge. Is there some trick to adjusting these or do I just need to oil it and give it a few smacks with my brass hammer?

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Usually I adjust the HOLE, not the dowel, by reaming it larger on the side that bears on the dowel with a twist drill a size larger than the hole, just turning it against the grip panel with my hands slowly and trying the grip until it fits. This works fine with wood grips, but may be a slow process with the new plastic.

If you just need to make it deeper, rather than displace it laterally, that should be easier. Just go slow and cuss a lot for "lubrication."

 

[novacz]

Mike, thanks for the quick replay. I actually followed my own advice and gave it a gentle smack with the hammer and this moved it easily enough. I just needed to move it about 1/16 inch to get the grip panel to sit nice and flush.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Just a suggestion, But it is always best to modify the cheapest part. Bending the locating dowel is not a good way to go.
I drill out the dowel locating hole in the grip panel over sized enough to allow it to be properly aligned and then bed it in place using epoxy bedding or JB Weld two part epoxy. be sure to use a release agent (I use Birchwood Casey gun stock wax) on the grip frame and locating dowel to make sure you can get the grip back off.