Prototype handle design

[Tin Man]

I received my Falcon Industries "Ergo" with rubber sure grip surface today, and tried it on the handle. I like it better than the wider and more angled Hogue grip in most respects. This one is ambidextrous, but they offer the same grip in right and left handed models with a more pronounced thumb shelf. I would probably remove the little rubber cover at the bottom, just so to avoid annoying bubbles.

 

[tlong]

I'm just concerned about the effect of the salt water on the rubber. But I like the frame idea regardless

 

[Tin Man]

I'm just concerned about the effect of the salt water on the rubber.

Me too. I actually think that the rubber will be pretty impervious to seawater on the outside, but I do worry that the saltwater might get underneath the rubber overcoating and cause mildew or other problems. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[tlong]

I think that the standard AR handle would be more cost effective, and last a lot longer. What about a Hogue rubber sleeve over the standard handle? Can you give me some specs on the delrin you use before you cut it down, (like starting dimensions). I looked in McMaster Carr, but couldn't find the size I thought I needed to try to immitate your design.

 

[Tin Man]

I haven't checked prices on the standard Hogue sleeves, so you may be right. But both of the handles I have tried are under $20, so they are probably comparable to a standard AR handle plus Hogue sleeve, pricewise.

You will need a block at least 1-3/16" thick, by 5-5/16" long, by 1-7/8" wide. Allowing a little to play with, you should probably start with something 1-1/4" thick by 5-1/2" long, by 2" wide.

 

[Tin Man]

Just to follow up, I received today my first batch of black anodized frames.
I kept the screw pattern and top plate dimensions the same as the Wong / Aimrite screw pattern, except that the two rear screws are straight in, instead of at an angle. The trigger slot is 9/32" wide, so they will accept the Neptonics mechs. I'm very pleased with how they turned out.

This picture shows some of the grips available, and how they compare to the Wong / Aimrite handle (top right) in size and shape. Starting from top right and going down left, the grips are: Wong, standard A2 (hard plastic with checkered surface), Falcon "Ergo" (rubber coated), Hogue (rubber coated), and Command Arms hard plastic.
Using the Wong handle as the "standard", I designed the frame so that a medium sized grip like the Falcon "Ergo" (third down) would have the back of the handle the same distance from the trigger as the Wong handle does. The A2 grip (second down) and Hogue grip (fourth down) position the hand forward by about 1/4" compared to the Wong, and the larger Command Arms grip (bottom) positions the hand about 3/16" further back than the Wong.

 

[DivingDane]

SOLD!!!!!! i'll take 1 as soon as they are available!

DD

 

[Tin Man]

I've got 3 left if you want one. Frame, plus the grip shown in the first pic, plus the stainless mounting bolt, is $60 plus shipping.

 

[Salehthefish]

Nice looking Handle. I will need two for my next gun build... Since i will be ordering Neptonics Mechanism will be great to have one lemme know when they are available please...

 

[Tin Man]

I ordered 15 for this first batch, and all but 3 were spoken for by the time they were delivered. If there's interest, I will have another batch made.

 

[DivingDane]

PM sent!

SOLD!

DD

 

[jtkwest]

hey jeff, which rubber handle is better, the hogue or the falcon? i cant decide which to get. btw: to everyone else: these handles are awesome! absolutely solid! perfect.

 

[Tin Man]

Jason - The Falcon is the third one down in the picture in post #46, while the Hogue is the fourth one down. I have small hands, and the more angled (and slightly thicker) Hogue feels a little awkward to me. The narrower Falcon is shaped more like a traditional revolver handle, and feels more comfortable to me. The Falcon shown is the "ambidextrous" model, but it is also available in right hand and left hand versions with a bit of a thumb shelf. It also comes in a more expensive "tactical" variation that looks more like a target grip, but that one is considerably more expensive

Just one note on the Falcon. It comes with a little extension the sticks up from the back, which you need to cut off to fit my handle frames.