GFG
My Roy Fishpaw experience
Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:26
I have struggled with having small hands and small thin fingers for my size and nothing in the factory grips that fit me at all. So after
JT's help as well as many of you I decided to try one of everything to I figure out which will help me be the best field shot possible. And my main field handguns are the N-Frame Smiths with square grip frames. And so the journey begins. I have heard of Mr. Fishpaw through many of you as well as
JT's and Hamilton Bowen's books. So I called Mr. Fishpaw and got on his one year waiting list. And sure as setting your watch I get a letter one year later That he is ready for my
gun's frame. We talk on the phone and talked about my needs and desires as well as what he offers. Then my gun and drawing of my hand is sent with the things we
discussed about the grips themselves. I decided to go with his version of the Roper design in
fancy Walnut wood with a lot of figure. He told me he will call or write in about 12 weeks. And they will be ready.
Again true to his word right after Christmas I get his call and make payment arrangements.
Well I walk in the house Friday and there is the box with Roy's Custom Grips on the return address label. And my heart starts racing like a small child. Opening the box getting through the packing peanuts I see a zip up
handgun rug. And I did not send the gun to him in a handgun rug. It is nothing fancy cut appears to be made of a silicone material on both inside and out. Inside there is a little gold decal saying to keep the rug with his companies compliments. Also is a small plastic ziplock bag with 2 very nice ink pens with his company name on them. (being in the service
business, This was a nice touch to show he was grateful for the business.) In another ziplock bag was the outside slabs of the grips wood he did not use. Rough and not polished the figure in these had me drooling with anticipation. For the gun was wrapped in an old sock and taped closed with masking tape.
As I unwrap and pull out the gun my mouth drops in awe, Friends these are fancy figured French walnut and words does no justice for them. There are very few places that a line can even be seen where the two panels are joined, And even those places the lines cannot be felt. Stunning is the only way I can
describe it. I then read the little letter written to me describing everything.
(another nice touch I think.) Well as bad as I hate to I have to take the grip panels off to put the gun back together. So that I can try them out. Now How? The things are fit so
precise I am not sure how to get them off without scratching them. The screw is so
precise that it only treads just enough to hold them firm. so I cannot back it out and tap the other panel off. In only one area you can see a line between the panels I try a straight razor to insert between panels, And it works!!!
Just enough gap to pull off each panel. Looking at the insides they are just about as nicely finished as the out side. The right panel has the date of building stamped on them as is Mr.
Fishpaw's initials. The left panel also has his initials and a serial number in addition. Folks the entire experience is one of quality, plain
and simple.
Oh the gun, This is an old model 28 four screw that Travis Boggus purchased out of an estate sale in New Mexico some years back. It has been converted to 44 special and sports a 6.5 inch 1950 44 special factory barrel. My best group so far with the
Keith bullet and 7.0 grains of unique is at 100yards. Where the holes touched and a fourth was only about an inch off. And a called pull for the 5th shot. The grips make this gun now like a high priced collectable.
As for photos, If anyone in the central North Carolina has a digital camera.
I will come to you and get these up for you all to see. Also I have a nice 35mm
camera. If there is a way I can take photos and send them for some one on the board to post..
Thanks for reading, Just really and happy with the results and very much liked Mr. Fishpaw on the phone that I wanted to share.
Many Blessing to all ..Gary F.Godwin
