SIG Sauer P226 ST - new grips

The small research I made for my recently posted review of the Tanaka P226 ST brought me to many exciting places on the internet. After a short while it was clear for me that the ST version was the choice of the competition shooter much more than a service arm.
No doubt that, for the discerning shooter SIG are offering a number of dedicated variants. Just to mention P226 X5, X6 and elite series. All of them in a mix of stainless- and aluminum frames, 5 and 6 inch barrels and some with special surface coatings. A lot of the competition models also have special tuned triggers – but honest who can see that on a modelgun.
 
 
Now I did not want to go as far as converting to an elite series but I really wanted it at least to have real wood grip.
 
After a long search I managed to find a set of Altamont grips that could satisfy my wishes. The waiting was fine to get the review finished. Upon arrival the excitement was great, would the new grips fit ?  ?
 
 
 
Altamont P226 Rose wood grips. A very nice set of grips carefully machines on both sides to fit the SIG frame – and it’s so close to a perfect fit. The holes for mounting screw studs are about ½ mm too small. I decided to take a file instead of drilling. I simply could not bear the risk of damaging the nice wood pieces – then I would rather spend a little time opening the holes gradually until they fit instead of risking cracking the delicate wood, if drilling, handheld.
About 40 strokes with the file bolts in, over an out  at least that was the intention.
 
BUT the right side trigger bar spring is a pain ! The spring in cooperation with the top of the trigger bar touching the slide is to keep the trigger bar up and to the rear, enabling DA firing. From the moment I first time removed the original Tanaka plastic gripe the spring refused to hold the trigger bar hard enough to the rear !  !  !! and that means 1 DA trigger pull only.
 
 
 
Multiple re-assemblies later I had enough. Google – help me !
Luckily it was quick to find several youtube movies about this spring on the real gun. The real gun spring is quite different to the Tanaka version ! So I went off to the garage to make my own.
 
 
 
Such a spring is relatively easy to make. I put some rod in my vice (a bit smaller diameter than I want the winding) grab an appropriate length of wire in both ends and wind it around the rod. Tighten it a bit like a knot to have the ends coming out like you want. Do expect a bit of “jump back” both on the winding diameter and the angle between the ends.
Make sure you have enough wire to make several, there is always a bit of trial and error. (at least for me)
Last but not least you need to bend and cut the ends to get the function you were seeking. Carefully place the spring where you expect it to be working. Try to bend it, get the feeling if it will deliver the force in the direction you need. You need a good pair of pliers to bend the ends especially if you need an “s” shape to secure the spring attachment.
 
 
 
OK the winding is not completely circular and the wire is slightly thicker. BUT my own version of the trigger bar spring is not perfect but the function is MUCH better and as soon as I have purchased more wire I’ll make a couple more to see if I can improve it a bit.
 
 
Have anyone encountered similar problems with the Tanaka trigger bar spring ?
 
 
OK get it all assembled.
The fitting of the holes was easy.
The original Tanaka grip screws are perhaps sitting a bit low if I am to be really nitty gritty.
The trigger bar spring was an unpleasant and unforeseen challenge.
But over-all the Altamont grips was truly what I was wanted, red, rough, with SIG Sauer standing out in grip.
So here it is, back on the blue velvet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I hope you like it - cause thats all