Baikal IZH - 46M grips

Hi, I Recently got tired of my 'IZZY', not because of any performance questions, It is by far my most accurate and favorite gun, but because of the looks and feel of the grips!

I longed for figured Walnut, fit to my large hand perfectly. I also wanted grips that are all one piece with no visible seams and no sliding parts, and with only one fastening screw!

I found a few custom grip makers, but I liked none of the designs shown, and the prices and waiting time were prohibitive!

I had an old small Walnut stump laying around the basement from a few trees we cut down many years ago and decided to take my chain saw and check the grain of the stump. It was beautiful!

Well I decided to try making my own. I am over 80 years old and have never worked at wood-working or carpentry! I do not have a power wood-working shop, and I am a retired artist and would not know what to with one if I had one! The only tools I have is a small hobby-type jig saw and a Dremel!

Well it took me more hours than I will admit, Old-Whats-Her-Name doesn't speak to me anymore, even after almost 60 years of marriage, but I am very pleased with the results!

If any of you would like to know how I did it and see photos of the finished grips, I would be honored to show you, someone has to tell me how to submit photos here because I just joined this fine forum this week!

Stay safe my friends, regards, gkenny.
 
Thank You Steve, Here are the photos and I will tell you anything you want to know about them after you see the photos.



New grips 2 Baikal.1602871259.jpeg
New grips s 1 - Baikal.1602871287.jpg
New grips 6 Baikal.1602871304.jpg
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Thank You Metalmaniac, I appreciate your kind comments!

I too was not happy with the factory grips even though they were adjustable and the bottom plate could be slid around to 'sort of' fit you.

They were actually ugly and did not exactly fit my hand. They had 5 or 6 holes for adjustment, and they were made with that light orange-crate 'mystery-wood' seen on a lot of foreign products, I just love good old American Black Walnut!

My grips are also one piece and just slide right over the frame and held forever and tight with only one screw!

They were much harder to make this way, but to me, they are well worth it!

If there is anything I can do to help you make your grips, just ask, I would be honored to help!

Regards, gkenny.
 
The grips that are included with the IZH46 and 46M are intended by the manufacturer to be modified to your liking.

The Russians are aware that we are not all. alike.

My first IZZY was modified by me and they were great.

I gave the pistol to my partner in Kansas and he likes the grips too.

This pistol came with the Steve Corcoran’s installed: 
6B272555-118F-48AB-B380-9281A9B84A78.1602887080.jpeg

 
The grips that are included with the IZH46 and 46M are intended by the manufacturer to be modified to your liking.

The Russians are aware that we are not all. alike.

My first IZZY was modified by me and they were great.

I gave the pistol to my partner in Kansas and he likes the grips too.

This pistol came with the Steve Corcoran’s installed: 
6B272555-118F-48AB-B380-9281A9B84A78.1602887080.jpeg

Very Nice pistol, thanks for sharing the photo! Regards, gkenny.
 
Thank you Steveoo, I appreciate your input!

You are observant in mentioning Indian Rosewood, although the material is Black Walnut, the color is deeper than other Black Walnut grips I have seen in the past and that is why I chose not to stain them before the hand rubbed Tru Oil finish.

I guess since this was from a very old tree on our property, the color was darker.

Regards, gkenny.
 
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C3171853-0137-4861-BDEA-1562FF63E462.1603133139.jpeg
I got an IZH 46M about 2 weeks ago. I tried to shoot it but couldn't hold on to it to shoot properly. I have large hands but stubby fingers.

I started cutting down the stock grips to fit my hand . I am pretty sure the stock grips are Birch a tight grained but strong hardwood that does not take stain easily. On the original finish they must have sealed the wood first then cleared it with stain in the finish. No grain was present on grips.

So I decided to experiment I used a torch on the lowest setting possible to darken the grain only. I tried to keep darkness of wood evenly as possible then sanded it to a uniform color.

Then i stained the wood with Minwax barn red stain and several coats of wipe on polyurethane finish.

i admit I rushed the job because it was a new toy that I really haven’t shot much because of fit and seeing the great looking grip that gkenny posted got me exited to finish mine.

Here is the pics


 
Hi Metalmaniac, 

I think your grips are a GREAT improvement over the original, you did a wonderful job!

The color is closer to Walnut than mine are and mine are made of Walnut!

Enjoy your new gun, I have one and I think it is the best target gun I have ever shot including the professional completion firearms from my youth!

Your grips are an outstanding addition!

Regards, gkenny.
 
Hi Greenarrow, thanks for the nice complement!

You did an excellent job with your factory stock grips!

I don't see the need for you to make your own grips because of the beautiful job that you already completed, but should you ever decide to make your own grips and think that I may be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask, I would be honored to help in any way you need!

Regards, gkenny.