What is the device that holds the grips on a Kimber? Looks like possibly a rivet. Is there a tool to remove it, or would it require drilling?

I've worked on hundreds of Kimbers and every one used screws to hold the grips on. Look real close and I'd bet you'll see the grip screw on your Kimber uses a small hex or torx bit.

Yep same as every other 1911 made. a Screw in to a grip bushing

Thanks to both of you guys for the fast ACCURATE response. My old eyes, it looked like a round hole, but sure enough there was a hex in it. I like the checkered grips that came on it and I know I could not make a set I'd like better, just wanted to see if I could make a set out of mesquite (have plenty of that here in Texas). If nothing else, I removed them and drew a pattern and gave them a good coat of rubbed in linseed oil. John your response of working on hundreds scares me as do they give a lot of trouble? Kerry, nice link.

quote:

John your response of working on hundreds scares me as do they give a lot of trouble? Kerry, nice link.

Can't speak for John but mine has never given me a drop of trouble in the 1000s of rounds run through it.

That's encouraging ramrod. BTW I made the mesquite grips and as expected, like the factory ones better.

I did a combination. Added the rubber under grip to give my fingers some support the nice set of wood over that.

Not many come in because they don't work right, but so many people want theirs to be different so I customize them, clean them, re-blue them, paint them etc.