J-Frame Rubber Grip Delaminating

[cbb]

I tried a search but could not find anything on this. It seems the old Uncle Mikes were the best boot grip for the 642, mine finally wore out after about 20 years and I bought the S&W version. Seemed really good at first but the texturing wore off fast and now the grip is separating. This happened in about 3 years of daily carry. My son bought a new 642-1 with the stock grips but they too fell apart in about one year of holstered pocket carry. He did try to glue them back together, but it did not hold.

I contacted S&W but they told me that is the first they have heard of it. I am reluctant to reorder but would have if S&W said they had an issue in the past, but it has been fixed.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

 

[jaymoore]

Nope. And i surely don't pamper my EDCs! Dirt, mud, submersion on occasion, lots of sweat. Even wore out a holster or three.

 

[Alk8944]

What are you using to lubricate your gun? It looks like this may be a result of contamination by some sort of synthetic oil.

 

[chief38]

Uncle Mike's made the best designed boot grip for a J frame. The problem is that the rubber starts to break down and become sticky and gooey after a few years. I've had this happen to more than one! I don't use them anymore because of this. I don't know where S&W buys theirs from.

 

[cbb]

What are you using to lubricate your gun? It looks like this may be a result of contamination by some sort of synthetic oil.

In the first 2 pictures you can see the glue that he tried to repair them. Both 642's are always lightly oiled and the grips were dry. Also, they were pocket carried almost daily and shot a bit. No unusual treatment nor exposures.

Just seems odd that the problem does not seem that widespread as 2 in a household did the same thing.

 

[cbb]

Uncle Mike's made the best designed boot grip for a J frame. The problem is that the rubber starts to break down and become sticky and gooey after a few years. I've had this happen to more than one! I don't use them anymore because of this. I don't know where S&W buys theirs from.

I agree. Since you mention the gooey thing, I do remember that happening.

 

[Green Frog]

I have to say it… since they originally were made out of old tires, maybe you could just take them to a retread shop!
Froggie

 

[JAREDSHS]

I had the same thing happen to a pair 2 or 3 years ago S&W HAS heard of the issue. I am pretty sure finally sent me a new pair at no charge. Can't remember if I had to return the bad ones(think so) iJust keep emailing the **** out of S&W ,they will eventually take care of you.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I have not personally seen this happen, but I'd recommend going to different grips then. Hogue G10 or VZ (similar) should be good to go and won't get tacky like rubber or do that. They're my preferred style.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

S&W rubber grips are CHEAP..........Toss and replace with a better grip......Which gives thought.......In 25 years or so will all these plastic pistol frames suddenly go bad. Crack/split or pieces fall off.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've seen refrigeration oil destroy rubber roofs. The mineral oil that is in refrig oil is what is in Ballistol, also, maybe in other gun lubes. BUT, it still shouldn't happen IMO. Since the OP's problem is also other peoples' also I doubt the oil thing is the issue but that was my first guess as was mentioned in post #3.
I wouldn't really trust S&W's Cust Support to be 100% truthful, as I have an issue that is well-known by many, including S&W, but they said I was the only one they heard about. Live & learn. It's my money, not theirs next time.

 

[Class III]

I've seen the delamination/tackiness/sticky rubber problem on a hoard of products ranging from rubber squeegee blades to hand and long gun stocks to fountain pens (Yes, I collect those, too.)

There was a class action settlement where Browning/Winchester replaced THOUSANDS of over molded stocks. Not sure if the window has closed on the replacement on Browning/Winchester stocks.

My last item to go all "Tacky" on me was a Delta Y2K Fountain Pen. A friend recommended using 3M Citrus Base Adhesive Cleaner to remove the sticky residue. It worked great on the pen, I've had it work not so well on other items.

Class III

 

[BillBond]

All my Uncle Mikes grips were thrown out several years ago, since they all started to do what yours is doing.
I ended up going with Altamont wood grips.
As mentioned by others, they are not the only fake rubber items I owned that broke down into a sticky mess.

 

[Warren Sear]

.....Which gives thought.......In 25 years or so will all these plastic pistol frames suddenly go bad. Crack/split or pieces fall off.

No .

 

[1sailor]

I'm really surprised to hear that others have had issues with the Uncle Mikes. I have been using them exclusively on all my round butt S&W's including my M&P340 which I have carried daily for about 8 years or so. Never an issue. Not one, ever. The pic below is of the grips I am referring to which I thought were Mike's combat grips. Are these the same one's people are having trouble with. I just can't imagine since they are about the only grip I will use. The grips in the pic have been on there the entire 8 years.

 

[Data]

@ cbb

I tried a search but could not find anything on this. It seems the old Uncle Mikes were the best boot grip for the 642, mine finally wore out after about 20 years and I bought the S&W version. Seemed really good at first but the texturing wore off fast and now the grip is separating. This happened in about 3 years of daily carry. My son bought a new 642-1 with the stock grips but they too fell apart in about one year of holstered pocket carry. He did try to glue them back together, but it did not hold.

I contacted S&W but they told me that is the first they have heard of it. I am reluctant to reorder but would have if S&W said they had an issue in the past, but it has been fixed.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

I never experienced an issue with any S&W J-Frame rubber grip de-lamination; however, I think and concur with ALK8944's take on the subject matter (Post#3).

 

[oink]

Unless the rubber is soaked through with oil I'd bet with proper prep (solvent) and then the proper glue they could be reattached. What glue was used?