Colt hard rubber grips

[AULefty]

I acquired a 1903 Pocket Hammer in 38 ACP from a friend's estate. One of the grip screws was missing and I recently found one from Jack First. When I attempted to install it, it became evident that the grip panel had shrunk over the years. I vaguely remember reading that these grips can be "stretched" by appling heat from a hair dryer, etc. I tried a search but didn't find anything. Any advice, methods and so forth will be appreciated.

[A1A]

This may be what you were recalling. WTB 1950's Coltwood Grips for .38 Super

[rhmc24]

If the grips are the hard rubber type original to the pistol it should have little metal adapters or cups for the screw head. The OD of the adapters is about quarter inch and ID that of a tiny fililster head screw - a little over 1/8". What you describe seems to indicate non standard grips. A good picture would help us understand the problem.

Colt hard rubber grips are not prone to shrinkage. Same material is found on Colts starting back in the 1800s into the 1920s.

I can give micrometer dimensions if that will help.

[dfariswheel]

Original hard rubber grips don't shrink, nor do they stretch.
Try it and you'll have a broken grip.

[AULefty]

Thanks for the replys and advice. I removed both stocks and the one that was missing a screw is about 1/8" shorter than the other and appears to be more black in color than the other ( I'm a little color blind ). I'll begin a search for a correct stock. Thanks again.