I feel silly even asking, but can't get these hard plastic grips to budge after removing the screw. Any ideas?
New 686-6 grips
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Picture of grips?
Yendor357
Member
You can probably screw the screw onto the outside of one of the grip panels. I think a gentle tug will get it to pop off.
OP
No, that didn't work, banged on them with screwdriver handle, They are stuck.
OP
I tried, but a no go on the pics
Strange, I've never heard of hard plastic stocks on a S&W revolver...my 686-6 Plus came with laminated wood stocks and standard 686s have rubber stocks. Perhaps some cheapie aftermarket stocks? Hopefully someone didn't apply some type of adhesive to the stocks because they were a little loose when shooting. I wouldn't try prying the stocks off of the grip frame because you could definitely damage the stainless steel. You might try submerging them in boiling water for a few minutes to see if that will soften and loosen the stocks...it shouldn't bother your SS revolver in the slightest.
OP
Ok, figured it out. (the pics, not the grips)
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bananaman
Member
Put the screw back in, just like if you were installing the stocks. But, as soon as the threads engage on the right grip stop turning it. This should leave the screw head sticking up 1/8" or so above the left grip. Tap the head gently with a hammer. That SHOULD push the right grip off. Once that one comes off, you can easily tap on the inside of the left grip to get it off.
OP
I have these that I want to try, but can't get the others off. They feel ok and shoot well, just don't like the 357 printed on them. Just looks cheesy to me
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OP
That may work, but I can't make myself introduce water to a gun.
OP
Well, that is a good idea except the screw is below flush before it engages the threads. Getting really aggravated with this. never heard of grips not coming off.
OP
UPDATE: After soaking in WD-40 for a couple of hours, finally got a small gap behind the right hand grip, enough to get a small wood chisel started in. Came off pretty easy then. Now just need some round butt grips, instead of these square butts.
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My goodness, no WD-40 needed. As daveboy said just back the screw out 75% and push with a screwdriver or tap with a hammer to "pop" the opposite side grip off. If they say ".357" on them they are the stock 3-5-7 "Talo" style grips by Altemont, used on "Talo style" 3", 5" and 7" barrel lengths (most standard 686's are 2.5, 3, 4, 6" lengths). They are laminated wood, not plastic, and fit very snug to the frame. Good quality grips often fit tight to the frame like this, so just get used to "tapping" them off with the screw.
40 years ago everybody took the factory walnut grips off and bought rubber Pachmyers grips. Now those vintage woods are selling for $200 on epay. Just put yours back in the case and save them for the next owner. I replaced my 3-5-7 grips too, because they weren't that comfortable, but in 50 years they'll make a big difference to a collector.
40 years ago everybody took the factory walnut grips off and bought rubber Pachmyers grips. Now those vintage woods are selling for $200 on epay. Just put yours back in the case and save them for the next owner. I replaced my 3-5-7 grips too, because they weren't that comfortable, but in 50 years they'll make a big difference to a collector.
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OP
Thank you for the information. I had no idea they were laminated wood. I can see the laminations in your pic, but can't see them on these grips. Yes the tapping the screw is a good idea, but mine is too short to do that, it goes below the surface before ever touching the threads. Oh yes, I'll be keeping them in the box, I even kept the red circle of plastic that was on the back side of the cylinder. Never know what future generations will find value in.
Thanks again to all of you who posted.
1961MJS
Member
Hi, I haven't shot the Altamont Combat Grips yet, but they feel a lot better than the Factory Altamont 3-5-7 grips. I didn't like those at all. The Pacmayr gripper grips feel good when shooting .357 Magnum rounds as do the Hogue Monogrip Grips. I found the Pacmayr Diamond Pro grips to feel squishy when squeezing them to shoot.
Later
Later
bananaman
Member
Pretty sure that are laminated Altamont. They make MOST S&W grips. Bob
OP
Yes you are correct, as i found out later in the thread. Thanks
You confused me when you reported the stocks as hard plastic. As I said above in Post #6, my 686-6 Plus came with those laminated "3-5-7" stocks... and I definitely don't like them. They are a little "cheesy" looking, but the biggest problem is that they do not fit my hands and that makes shooting quite challenging. I have some Hogue Tamers that I use when shooting, but would like to get some nicer wood combat stocks just for show. I always apply some Renaissance Wax to the grip frame before reinstalling the stocks, and that seems to help with stock removal.
OP
Sorry for the confusion, but I was confused myself. They were hard and black and didn't feel like rubber. My first time with these laminated grips. I had heard people talking about them, but pictured them in a natural wood color in my mind. I found these grips on epay that are larger and will probably fit my hand better too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2974714254...23&osub=-1~1&crd=20250914130146&segname=11400
I hope this helps
bananaman
Member
Did you ever get them off??? Bob
OP
Yes, after soaking them in WD-40 and tapping with screwdriver handle, I got a small gap behind the right grip. Could then get a small wood chisel started in, and they came right off.
