EngineerEli Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Hey All, So I picked up an X5 Legion to give carry optics. So far I have been pretty happy with it, and I love the weight of it, but I found the grip dug into the the base of my thumb, which drove me nuts. I realized that all of my favorite guns have wide grips with narrow beaver tails, Tanfo, CZ, 2011. I was afraid to start cutting on the fancy legion grip, so I used part of my $200 rebate to get a standard polymer X5 grip, to modify. The modification was a little rough, because I rushed a bit, but I think it feels 100 times better now. I also realized that Sig does offer a similar narrow beavertail grip the for the XCompact, but its grip diameter is smaller and it doesn't have the same magwell, which we need for competition. Don't even think it would work with the 5" barrel anyway, but I handled one at a local gun shop, and it similarly feels way better than the standard X grips. Question is, would this grip modification be legal for Carry Optics (or Production)? I want to be sure before modifying my actual X5 Legion grip in the same way. XCompact Grip: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 Here is the grip I worked on, thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 It’s legal. I did the same thing on my old X5 grip and just did it on my brand new tungsten grip module. I used a dremel with sanding drum progressively sanding it until it was smooth. Check this thread out for pictures and answers to your question: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 Looks like I kind of reinvented the wheel a little bit, but I did execute the modification a little different that the others on your topic. Also, it has been verified it is acceptable for carry optics, but if I took the optic off and wanted to go back to production, would it still be allowed? Side note, does anyone know the optimal FPS / IPS cutting speed for polymer, or the tungsten polymer? I am actually using an end mill on my drill press with an X Y vise, not sure if I was cutting at the right speed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Don’t sweat the mag well. It’s not legal in carry optics. And all grips, slides, and FCUs are interchangeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 7 hours ago, OPENB said: Don’t sweat the mag well. It’s not legal in carry optics. And all grips, slides, and FCUs are interchangeable. I was talking about the polymer mag well in the grip not the detachable one. Notice the different curvature of the rear of the grip near the bottom too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 I worked up the nerve to make these modifications on my Legion Tungsten grip. I think the results came out really well, photos to follow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akkid17 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 That’s what I did and put on some silicon carbide. I really like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Pic of half way after "milling". Then, the final product! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Pic of my "milling" set up. X-Y vise, and a cheap craftsman drill press. Actually worked quite well for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 In case anyone cares, my modification removed 0.14 oz from my tungsten grip module. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bimmer1980 Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 (edited) don´t understand why they made that chubby beavertail... i don´t like it. Edited November 1, 2019 by bimmer1980 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firerain Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 On 10/27/2019 at 1:10 AM, EngineerEli said: In case anyone cares, my modification removed 0.14 oz from my tungsten grip module. Nice job! The first work I did on mine was dremal the edge off. Made my thumb hurt so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 On 11/1/2019 at 6:53 AM, bimmer1980 said: don´t understand why they made that chubby beavertail... i don´t like it. I read somewhere that it was to break up the gun visually and make the bore axis appear lower... Could be wrong though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bimmer1980 Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 12 hours ago, EngineerEli said: I read somewhere that it was to break up the gun visually and make the bore axis appear lower... Could be wrong though... Yes, i´ve read that too. Phil Strader told someone, or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMS Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 On 10/15/2019 at 12:28 AM, EngineerEli said: Side note, does anyone know the optimal FPS / IPS cutting speed for polymer, or the tungsten polymer? I am actually using an end mill on my drill press with an X Y vise, not sure if I was cutting at the right speed... The job turned out nice. I am getting ready to do the same (poor man's mill). What RPM and mill diam did you use? And what did you use to get the final finish? Sandpaper? Did you wet sand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted March 14, 2020 Author Share Posted March 14, 2020 On 3/9/2020 at 9:52 PM, LMS said: The job turned out nice. I am getting ready to do the same (poor man's mill). What RPM and mill diam did you use? And what did you use to get the final finish? Sandpaper? Did you wet sand? Unfortunately I didn't make any notes and I don't remember exactly. To the best of my recollection, it was something like a 3/8 end mill at 1180 rpm. After my "machining" I did go back through with 220 sandpaper to get the remaining shape how I wanted it, then worked up to 320 then 600. (maybe 1500 don't remember) then I did actually use some mothers mag and aluminum polish on it, just by hand with a paper towel after. That helped to get it to the final finish. One note I would advise people though, is to not remove too much material from the back underside of the beaver tail. I did thinking I wanted to make it look more like a 1911 style one, but now the back quarter or so if it doesn't even make contact with my hand, so I wish I would have left a little more meat there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMS Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) I just did mine today using the poor man's milling strategy (drill press with a mill in the quill). The material is really forgiving - it works easily. I built a jig to hold the frame and took a few shallow passes to be safe. Some filing to shape it after the milling, then sanding with successive grits from 220 up to 2000. Really happy with how it turned out, but probably not going to quit my day job. Edited May 10, 2020 by LMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 I have a different but related question: i wrap like 5 layers of skateboard tape around my X5 grip to make it both thicker and grippier. Is this legal in CO or production? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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