I'm fortunate enough to own a really nice 39-2 ASP. For obvious reasons, it's a "safe queen". My question is regarding the Lexan grips. These have always been a weak spot - cracks. My grips are crack free and I would like to keep them that way. I've loosened the grip screws, but I'm thinking about removing the grips and storing them separately. Is there some kind of preservative that is Lexan friendly. I'm thinking my go to for everything - Renaissance Wax.

If I remember correctly Lexan is fine as long as it is not physically stressed AND is kept away from UV as much as possible. I also seem to recall that it will "cloud" in time no matter how it is stored. But I could be remembering this wrong.

Lexan is GE’s trade name for polycarbonate. We used PC sheeting where I worked. It will yellow when exposed to UV over time. It’s not resistant to a lot of chemicals and scratches easily. Like most thermoplastics, it bleeds out plasticizers and elastomers and becomes more brittle as it ages.

Loosening the screws slightly is probably a good idea, but I’d leave them on the gun and I wouldn’t wax them or try to clean them with Windex. If they need cleaning, use warm water, dish soap and a clean soft cloth. Go lightly and rinse away any loose debris first, or you’ll leave fin scratches in the finish.

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"I also cook."

Thank you for the great info. It stays in the safe with loose grip screws.

I seem to recall reading a thread here recently about someone who took GI plastic panels off a 1911 and they shrunk and now won’t fit back on gun. Just shrunk oh so little - but enough couldn’t get back on the bushings. I see above post you elected to keep on the gun probably a good move. I remember reading the magazine articles on the ASP and the Devel back in the day. They were neat. I was given my company 3953 upon retirement. That’s as close as I’ll get to one of those.

It is not the GI panels that are a problem. It is the early thermoplastics that Colt used in the 1950s commercial pistols. They can shrink and warp and must be gently heated (hot water) to fit again.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I have a few 1950s Colt that have cracked at the screw holes. They appear to be shrinking to the center with a radiating crack to the top and bottom.
I just left them on the guns and retuned them to their boxes.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Excellent point.

ASP!! Where's the pic's?