Grey Grip Question

[4T5GUY]

I’ve never had a S&W, (or any other,) with grey grips. I’m probably one of the few that just really doesn’t like the look of them. No offense to those that like them of course.

I did get a model with grey grips which I changed out with new black ones that I had. Luckily I bought a bunch of black grips with pins for some reason years ago.

Since I’ve never seen these grey grips before up close I’m wondering if the black showing through is normal. I’ve gently cleaned them and used my favorite high end cleaner/preservative but it’s not stained. It’s part of the material.

I’ll keep them in the original box with all the other stuff but they just don’t seem “normal” although I don’t know.

Jim

 

[tom 45]

I have cut down a gray grip to fit my CS9 and they are solid gray plastic, at least mine is.
To be sure you could scratch it on the inside of the grip where no one will ever see.
I believe that the gray grips were only offered on the 3913 "Lady Smith" model; a single stack 9mm. If the grip came off something other than that size it may have been painted.
This is what they look like on my 908.

 

[4T5GUY]

Thanks “tom 45.”

I wanted to hear from people that actually have the grey grips and what the grips look like.

Nope the grips I have are not painted grey. They came on an otherwise excellent condition pistol that is not a LS but original to the model.

Jim

 

[JohnHL]

I've got a set of the grey grips but I've never scratched, cut, ground, or sanded on them so I don't know how deep the finish goes, but they sure look like the color goes all the way through.

John

 

[18DAI]

I only have one set of grey grips, that I removed from a 3913NL. They appear to be grey all the way through.

I scratched the inside with a straight pin and saw no black. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

 

[stansdds]

The stocks are molded in colored plastic, the gray is not a surface coating. The blackened areas you are seeing are likely a combination of solvents, oils, and gunshot residue that has soaked into the plastic.

 

[Heymatt]

I’d agree with stansdds, looks like something was used to wipe down the frame/slide around the grips and stained the high edges of plastic.
They’re a molded piece, color should be consistent all the good way thru.

 

[4T5GUY]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the help.

You need to know the problem before you can try to deal with it. Once I was told it was staining and not part of the material I got to work. I tried everything but finally found the right combination. It took longer than I wanted it to take but that’s fine.

I’m surprised this subject hasn’t come up before, or maybe users of these grey grips take them off before cleaning the pistols. I imagine they could get stained just shooting if you didn’t wear gloves.

They are all grey again and put back in the factory box.

Jim

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's a shot of original grey grips on a 3913NL.

John

 

[Heymatt]

What did you use to clean them up? Someone will have the same problem eventually and would appreciate the info!��

 

[4T5GUY]

What did you use to clean them up? Someone will have the same problem eventually and would appreciate the info!��

I won’t go down the recommended list for cleaning up plastic cause none of them worked. I was surprised baking soda failed too. I was concerned putting them to my buffer wheel even on a slower speed.

I ended up trying my Colgate toothpaste with a soft scrub sponge. The sponge side disintegrated but the other side, (NOT Scotch Brite,) worked great. Once I started with this combo it was cleaning the residual black staining off right away.

Jim