Plywood Grips

[Jeepnik]

When did Ruger start using plywood?

 

[Lonestone1]

Are you referring to stained laminate wood grips like those that Pachmayr makes? Any pics of examples?

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Some people like to rag on laminates used for gunstocks. They do have some great advantages and a couple disadvantages. On the + side is ... they are easily worked,strong,resist warping,inexpensive. On the - side ... they are heavier than most natural woods,don't have the figure ( grain ) of natural woods.
For rough use they are hard to beat IMHO.
"Plywood" suggests a vanier coating that hides crappy filler wood glued together,
Suitable to build a chicken coop.
Laminates made for gunstocks are made of high grade birch,have no voids and are totaly impregnated with resin and cured under great pressure and heat. The color goes all the way through. Not exactly your everyday plywood.

 

[lfpiii]

Altamont took over in 2007 after Letts closed up shop.

 

[Jeepnik]

Chuck, plywood is a laminate. A laminate is multiple layers of materials bonded together. Whether fancy or plain, if it is multiple layers of wood bonded together it is plywood.

But I didn't ask this to start a discussion on nomenclature. I just wanted to know when they started being used.

The one answer with a date say that Altamont started making them in 2007 after another firm closed. So when did Ruger start using "laminates" (feel better chuck) :D ?

 

[22/45 Fan]

Chuck, plywood is a laminate. A laminate is multiple layers of materials bonded together. Whether fancy or plain, if it is multiple layers of wood bonded together it is plywood.

I agree that your original posting did come across as dismissive of the Ruger's current laminated grips (and the stocks on some of their rifles). As noted, there are various grades of laminates but the term "plywood", although technically correct, is viewed as a low quality version.

It's like those who dismiss modern polymer framed pistols as "plastic". Yes they are but not the same plastic as milk bottles.

 

[Jeepnik]

So just one more time. When did Ruger change to the semi-manmade partially wood laminated material for grips? Guys I just want to know what year not a discussion of or comparison of current and past materials.

 

[Bob Wright]

Ruger grips, for their Single Actions, runs a wide range of materials. Earliest, ca. 1955, are of walnut. Somewhere along the way they switched to goncala alves, then to Indian rosewood.

Even before the wood grips, Ruger used black plastic (hard rubber). And some time after Lett closed, Ruger returned to black plastic.

As to the closing of Lett, I believe it was Ruger's decision to go to plastic that caused Lett to close, as they had been the maker of Ruger factory grips since early on.

So, it would be of interest to put a time period on each style/material Ruger used fo grips.

Bob Wright

 

[Hondo44]

So just one more time. When did Ruger change to the semi-manmade partially wood laminated material for grips? Guys I just want to know what year not a discussion of or comparison of current and past materials.

Altamont ="plywood" grips so the original answer you referenced above is correct, 2007.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Best single source of info . . .

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

Looks like "plywood" first showed up in 1992.

:)

 

[cas6969]

The two most expensive set of grips I own are plywood. :shock:

Finely crafted Geman plywood, but plywood none the less. :D

 

[lfpiii]

Altamont did some grips for the SBH Hunter in 1992. Prior to that Altamont had only worked for Colt. Letts shutdown because no one in the family wanted to take over the business and the old man did not have it in him any more. Altamont took over full grip production in 2007. While most Ruger contracts call for laminated wood grips Altamont also makes solid wood grips. I have several sets of walnut, cocobolo and other woods.

 

[kevin masten]

And as an after thought, the Germans used plywood , for the most part,prewar and wartime to good effect on their small arms. And the stocks are still holding up very well some seventy-five years, plus, later! I don’t mind plywood stocks but I do love well figured wood. Just a few thoughts for those who want to know.

Regards to all

 

[powder smoke]

Today's adhesives are awesome laminated, "plywood" grips are great!
All a matter of preference! YMMV. ps