Like the title says, can it be done? Would it be cost effective? It would open the door for a lot of guns that aren't possible now.
PFS grip from a 3D printer?
RJoe
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Sure, its possible. Cost effective - I dont think so. You are not gonna get a grip for $50-100. Until someone puts in the time and starts creating print files for various guns, you would have to commission someone to do the work for you. Its gonna cost.
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194 Posts
I wish someone would do it my 90t could use a pfs
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Contact Andrew Berryhill. He makes 3D printed grips for target pistols. I bet he can probably do PFS grips also........ Good guy to deal with.
Precision Target Pistol Grips
Precision Target Pistol Grips
I'm guessing it would be a two part process. The face of the grip that mates to the receiver and then the back of the grip that takes the actual PFS. After the first one, could you just print them as needed? If so, I would think it wouldn't take two many to to be profitable.
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94 Posts
I'm currently looking into doing this. I will report my findings. I am also considering taking one of my existing stocks and cutting it off, then fitting the Pfs module to the wooden grip - using epoxy to anchor the PFS mounting lug if necessary.
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Doesn't patent infringement require you have copied something that already exists? Creating a grip for a gun where none currently exists would not be infringing anything would it?
Jeff
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17,770 Posts
PFS patent has been expired for a few years now.
Fact is anyone can make an exact clone of the PFS and sell it now. Tough part would be investing in molds for all the grips and then being able to sell the complete setup for less than one sells for now and still be able to make money.
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Just wanted to post an update. I have abandoned my quest to fit a PFS to my Rottweil. I have taken BENCHREST's advice and am having a CIRS fitted instead.
Thanks to all who took time to help me!
Thanks to all who took time to help me!
Leaving aside for the moment any/all patent and copyright issues;
Yes, it would be a solid with the two opposite faces defined as you said.
The definition of the rear face would be the standard PFS stock "face", the front face could probably be copied from the target(pun) gun.
There would be an opportunity to set the planes of these two faces to almost any angle between them, both vertically and horizontally(for caste).
The fun part could be in between, i.e. what your hand actually wraps around and if you want to "twist" that around.
I can imagine having people squeeze some amount of play dough onto a skeleton grip until it is comfortable, then scanning that (in 3D) to get a truly custom palm swell, finger grooves, etc.
I know a couple of guys for whom a slightly "twisted around" grip could help their arthritic wrists, so while there may not be a "need" for that the possibility of doing it exists.
As to actual print time, as a solid it could take a while depending on the density of the infill (overnight ?) and since it shrinks as it cools as it is still being printed, cracks and the need for do overs are very real possibilities.
Alternatively it could be printed as a pair of fairly thin shells that are screwed onto the skeleton grip suggested earlier. I like this idea better.
Also, I don't know which plastics would hold up to recoil - the ones that Vern uses now may not extrude well or may not be available as filament, so a bit of research would be needed on that.
Back to the patent and copyright issues - I don't think I would want to get too far along with this before contacting Vern.
Sure, it would mean more business for him, but I would explore that with him EARLY on.
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The PFS patent has expired.
I remember Dennis DeVault making a BT-99 grip for Vern out of walnut years ago so Vern could have a mould made .
I built mine nearly 3 years ago for under $1K.
The learning experience of BUILDING it and getting ALL of the software to play together was well worth the DIY aspect.
Then the whole thing of proving the "tool chain".
I downloaded a file of a 3/8 bolt and a 3/8 nut from Graingers, figured out how to make a print file for each, load and run them.
E_V_E_N_T_U_A_L_L_Y they printed and surprise SURPRISE they not only fitted each other, they also fitted hardware store 3/8 nut and bolts.
Autodesk has some 3D modelling software that is "free" for non commercial (hobby) users.
They want mind share more than they want market share.
He won't do it. I already asked him. Sent him a bunch of pics, offered to loan a spare grip, etc.
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