Pachmayr S&W Sigma Grip Glove Issue

[Bigpoppa]

I received my rubber Grip glove for my S&W Sigma 40VE yesterday. While trying to put it on my firearm, it split right at the top which deemed it unuseable. I was not pulling on the grip with a tremendous amount of force. My impression is it is cheaply made or has some dry-rot issue. I would have lubed it to make it easier to get on but that would have definitely cause some slippage issues when firing. It will be interesting as to what customer services informs me to do.

 

[Spotteddog]

Never seen one that I know of anyway.
I'll assume it's the same type product used on the Austrian imports?
I could believe that a product made of a flexible compound could stiffen or dry out with age. Even the rubber grips themselves can get powdery or chalky and stiffen over time. Storage where warm or in direct sunlight can accelerate it. Have you spoken to them yet? What if anything did they say?
(EDIT)
Just for clarity, are these what your talking about?

http://www.pachmayr.com/tactical-grip-gloves.php

 

[Bigpoppa]

Spotteddog, those are exactly the ones I am referring to. I will be talking to customer service later on today.

 

[PLW45]

That's too bad. I've used a Hogue Handall slip on grip for about 3 years now, and it's never messed up.

I did use two skinny plastic rulers to shimmy the grip up the pistol. That worked well for me.

 

[Spotteddog]

Believe it or not(?) commercial electricians use a shrink tubing that comes in 2"/3" diameters that can be used too. It's expensive as Hell, but will last longer than Mt. Rushmore. Glue some skateboard tape to it and your off and running, if all else fails?
(Serving suggestion to those wishing to mount a flashlight to a SXS or O/U shotgun, this is THE way to do it)!

 

[Erich]

You guys know the hairspray trick, right? Use hairspray to wet the thing to get it on, and then it'll dry and not be an issue later.

I don't use the Glock socks, though. My hands are of average size and the guns are fine as they come, for me.

 

[speedshooter]

I have an Uncle Mikes on mine and works great...never saw one split though. Just had to kinda wiggle mine on and it stays put.

 

[Bigpoppa]

Thanks for all of the replies, I talked to pachmayr customer service yesterday(08-21-09). The nice lady said she would send me another Sigma Grip Glove (Free of charge). She told me I should receive it in about two weeks.

 

[Erich]

Great to hear that they handled it right - thanks for following up with us.

 

[madmedic1955]

heat

if you put them in a pan of water and heat until it can just be handled without burning yourself thet will go right on , I have done many this way -after messing one up trying to just slip it on

 

[TNDixieGirl]

I use the Hogue Handall too, and love it. I had the gunsmith at the shop put mine on when I bought it.

 

[Bigpoppa]

I received my new Sigma Grip Glove (Sat. 08-29-09). I was really surprised because the customer service rep said it would be two weeks but it turned out to be one week. It took some work to get it on the firearm but it was a good snug fit. I must say that the feel is a whole lot better with the grip glove installed. It fits my hand perfect, plus with the finger grooves it fits the hand really well. I must tip my hat to the customer service dept. at Pachmayr.

 

[Spotteddog]

Always nice to hear of an old first line company remaining so.
They got to be first line for a reason, good on ya' Pachmayr!

 

[Erich]

Thanks for the update - always great to hear about good CS from so many gun-related companies.