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Perhaps 12 years ago, I bought a like-new 2-1/2" Model 66-4 that came with Pachmayr rubber grips. I thought they were changed out by the former owner but I've since read that Model 66-4s with that barrel came with them. The SCoSW, 4th Edition, does not clarify that, however.

By the way, I'd agree that you made a very good buy. When I bought that Model 66, snubbies were a very hot commodity but I was able to buy it on GunBroker for $416, the opening bid because, I think, the seller listed it as being in "average" condition. Ever after downloading and enlargening his photos, I saw nothing but a possibly never-fired revolver so I made the opening bid, fully expecting to be outbid overnight. The gun that arrived at my FFL holder was even better than I was expecting.

I've purchased numerous Combat stocks for it, all from Taiwan. I have never done as much as clean it.

Ed
 

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A caution regarding Pachmeyer rubber grips....... I have had two sets cause rust on the grip frames of two guns. It you keep them on, remove them often and check for rust! I'd make SURE you also keep a light coat of oil on them..... or better yet, a very light coating of Rig Universal Grease. After experiencing this two times my Packmeyers are in a landfill somewhere!
 
A caution regarding Pachmeyer rubber grips....... I have had two sets cause rust on the grip frames of two guns. It you keep them on, remove them often and check for rust! I'd make SURE you also keep a light coat of oil on them..... or better yet, a very light coating of Rig Universal Grease. After experiencing this two times my Packmeyers are in a landfill somewhere!

I usually take Pachmayrs off twice or a couple of times year and oil the grip frame underneath them just to be on the safe side. That's probably a good practice with any rubber grips.
 
I usually take Pachmayrs off twice or a couple of times year and oil the grip frame underneath them just to be on the safe side. That's probably a good practice with any rubber grips.

I'd honestly check them every I clean a gun. I remove all grips no matter what they are made of every time I clean. I like to clean underneath the grips, put a very light coat of oil on the spring and grip frame, and do not like getting gun oil and gun solvent all over Walnut grips. It's one little screw - no big deal and the grips stay in much better condition as well. They do not get dinged, scratched or nicked up while cleaning is being done. This has worked just fine for me for just under 50 years.
 
Same thing can happen with rust under wood grips. It not the Pachmayrs. Funny.
 
I have no idea why a rubber compound grip would cause any sort of rust unless palm sweat or something gets trapped under. Most of my Smiths are stainless so not really a problem. Maybe there is some kind of contamination of the grips such as mold release compounds etc. that is left from the factory. But if you got a blue gun, take off the grips once in awhile and clean and apply protection to the covered part of the frame.
 
I have no idea why a rubber compound grip would cause any sort of rust unless palm sweat or something gets trapped under. Most of my Smiths are stainless so not really a problem. Maybe there is some kind of contamination of the grips such as mold release compounds etc. that is left from the factory. But if you got a blue gun, take off the grips once in awhile and clean and apply protection to the covered part of the frame.
Wood stocks, as long as they are dry, can wick moisture away from the metal they contact. Rubber stocks have no wicking ability, so they just trap any moisture against the metal.
 
Same thing can happen with rust under wood grips. It not the Pachmayrs. Funny.

Joe, Pachmeyer's have carbon steel stiffeners in them and sometimes the steel peeks its way through the rubber causing rust on the grip frame. There is also the fact that the rubber will not absorb any moisture where as wood will. This moisture lays between the rubber and metal and can also cause rust. The wood absorbs the moisture and can release it slowly.

I have never had any gun rust that wore Walnut grips. I have had two sets of Packmeyers on two guns and had rusting issues with both. Not only did the grip frame have some rust on it, the steel also scratched up the blued finish. Neither gun was ever carried, these were both target guns so I can not attribute the rust to weather or sweat. This has been my experience and because of this, no more Pachmeyer's for me. YMMV.
 
I have no idea why a rubber compound grip would cause any sort of rust unless palm sweat or something gets trapped under. Most of my Smiths are stainless so not really a problem. Maybe there is some kind of contamination of the grips such as mold release compounds etc. that is left from the factory. But if you got a blue gun, take off the grips once in awhile and clean and apply protection to the covered part of the frame.

I'll have to take a picture of my 657 that has pitting under the grips. It came to me in a bit of rough condition and wearing Houges. It's not the only "Stainless" gun I've seen with rust. But conditions that would destroy a carbon steel gun will only cause relatively minor superficial damage to stainless guns.

I use Pachmayr grips on all my guns. I started using them decades ago during the "Golden Age of Magnum Revolvers" and have just stuck with them.

I have actually worn out a couple of pairs. They can split on the corners at the top of the backstrap after years of taking recoil. They can also wear on the inside at the top area (under your thumb) and rub through the rubber exposing the steel, which will leave a buff mark on your frame. By default I clean them well in that area and trim a piece of electrical tape to fit over it. If you try that you'll find the tape will slowly twist a little, which shows you there's some movement.
 
I don't really look at my grips so what logo is on them I would have to make note the next time I see them. But I will likely forget to note the logo anyway.
 
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