Custom grips for your Double X (XX40, 22XX) can be made with very limited wood working skills and few tools.In addition to making the pistol look more presentable, custom grips will improve the shootability for most. The factory grips don't appear to cater my hands, which I consider average adult size. A Dremel is a luxury, a belt or table sander is needed and a router has to be in there some where. I've cut out my last two sets with a coping saw.

Gspeer has pictures of recently completed grips which were done in maple. He recommends it, and I agree. Start cheap, it might take a few tries. The maple looks great on this gun. I chose some darker woods, walnut being the least expensive and pretty good to work with.

After you've traced a factory grip onto wood, cut them out, leaving all the trace marks for insurance. (Especially if your using a coping saw!) Check for fit. If you traced good and cut right, you should be able to belt sand right to the mark and they fit. Next, you need to cut the relief at the front and top edges. Set the opposite factory grip on the back side of the blank and mark the two points where the relief ends. One way or another, 1/8" needs to be removed on the front and top. The cut's are about 3/8" wide on the grip front and 7/8" wide on the top. My first set, I measured and marked the 1/8 depth on the wood and belt sanded to the mark. That method takes lot's of fiddling. I made two jigs out of plywood by routing out the grip shape. I lay a flat edge on top of the vise, then raise the work piece flush up to the flat edge and clamp. Then I set the router on 1/8" and cruise. Crude, I know.

Now you're ready to fit it. There are two nubs on the top and the center mounting nubs that need relief. Magic marker those and fit the grips, vibrating slightly. You'll see the marks. Relieve those with 3/8" or 1/2" drill bit.

Ok, the hard parts done. Mark the troughs and ridges similar to the factory grips and start removing wood till it's what you want. Dremal or wood rasps here. Sand the shape with 200 until no dings and dents are left. Use 400 and then 600 with a little moisture in between. Rub shiney or finish with Truoil or Tung Oil.

Finished Product

Thank you Bill :-)