Cracked Grips

[mmanetta]

Hello,

Recently, I experienced cracking in a 2nd set of factory grips for my CZ-83. My first set experienced cracking, too. For the 2nd set, I have been very careful to not overtighten grip screws although I am still not sure what happened with the first set. The last cracking occurred while I was at the range shooting.

What could be the problem? Any idea how to avoid cracked grips in the future? Has anybody else had this problem? Suggestions, please!?

[SMSgt]

The 82/83s are flawed (yes, I said flawed) in their single screw grip design with no locating pin to prevent the twisting (loosening) action of recoil. The grips tend to work loose, and most folks keep tightening the screws in order to stop that. It puts stress on the grips that eventually causes cracks.

You can scrounge up a few "thin" washers to fit under the screw between grip and frame to prevent or minimize the inward compression.

[czainsaw]

Some careful & discerning "re-inletting" of the inner grip surfaces to relieve pressure points on the many nooks and crannies as well as a tight fit on the bearing surfaces will help. Also, having a slightly longer mainspring pin that juts out into both grip panels will help as a '2nd' point of reference to eliminate the grip movement.

[Signalman97]

I have experienced the same problem. Designer Grips offers custom molded grips made of kevlar fiber reinforced resin that is supposed to resist cracking. I have ordered a pair. I will post a review when I see how they work out.

http://designergrips.com/

[mmanetta]

Thanks guys,

These sound like some very good suggestions.

If a get another pair of factory grips, I may try the washer and some strategic filing to get the fit right.

I actually do have a pair of Designer Grips which I bought after my first set cracked. They required a bit of modification to fit on a new CZ-83 (they were for an 82) but have held up quite well. I went back to the factory grips, though, but I am not sure why.

I'd like to have a spare set of grips in case one cracks. A pistol is no good w/o grips, of course. My 2nd set may be Designer Grips as well. I just know I'll have to modify them a bit to get a good fit.

What about wood grips, though, and using Acraglas or some other compound to strengthen them?

Thanks.

[SMSgt]

I have wood grips from Marschalls in Hungary. Really nice work and spruce up the 82/83 quite well. Several different styles finishes, and wood types from which to select.

As for the working loose, the longer hammer spring cup pin will work. I used some thin double-sided tape from a photo album supply. A small strip at the top and bottom seems to work.

[Hayfield123]

I have wood grips and just installed the metal inserts that CZ USA offers for them - made a world of difference

[mmanetta]

Where would I get the longer hammer spring pins at? Does CZ make them?

[czainsaw]

A properly sized metric drill bit shank - cut to length will do the trick. Remove the pin, measure with caliper for proper pin dimension (unless you want to go slightly over-size in diameter like I did), shorten shank to 4 mm longer than oem , re-install and done. 

[ZardozCZ]

Having read this forum, I used medium loctite on the grip screws snugging them just enough to stop wiggle but hopefully not enough to crack. WRONG! they cracked anyway. Have rosewood grips on order (should look nice with nickel finish) and will look into metal inserts also mentioned here.

Just thought I'd refresh this for new owners like myself.