Refitting grips

[Harkrader]

I got a new S&W 29 and removed the grips to document any marks on the grip frame.
They were VERY tight. They were also excellently fit, the seam matching up all around and the "ears" flat to the sides.

No more. I did my best to put them back on correctly, but the seam is slightly open at the bottom and just behind the trigger guard. The ears now allow slipping a sheet of paper completely through on the right, and about half-way on the left. With both in place, I tapped the grips gently with a plastic hammer, through a cloth pad. I tightened the screw to the original depth, and then a tad more with no luck.

Any ideas?

 

[saemetric]

Not hitting the strain screw are they?

 

[Harkrader]

Saemetric: You've exceeded my knowledge. What is the "strain screw?"
The grips fit perfectly when I got it. Only after I reinstalled did I have this problem.

 

[mcnee229]

The strain screw is the fulcrum for the hammer spring and by the way it is situated in the grip frame, the spring can be given more or less tension by tightening or loosening it. It should always be tight, however.

It is located on the grip frame, front side, at the bottom. If it isn't all the way in it makes grips not fit. My LGS apparently has a thing for loosening them to make the triggers seem better than they are, and as a result my first set of grips on my 629-6 had the screw bushing come out from them trying to tighten the grips into place over the protruding strain screw head.

Scott

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Also, make sure that the mainspring is not sticking out on one side.

 

[Harkrader]

Will do all of that. Thanks.
Oh, and is there any particular way to remount the grips before attempting to tighten and reinstall the screw?

 

[saemetric]

I just put the top side in first and then lower the grip over the stock pin. Then do other side. What type/age of grips do you have. Can you post a pic.

 

[Harkrader]

Pix of 29-10 Lew Horton, grips

I noted as I took them off that they came off more easily.

 

[Harkrader]

Carefully slipping them in at the top first helped. I THINK the remaining issue is the locating pin near the bottom of the grips, below the grip frame, that match up the two halves. Once together, squeezing the bottoms together closes the gap, but they don't stay that way when I let off. I placed the right one first, and it SEEMS that the left one no longer presses fully onto that locating pin. I think I'll just live with it rather than try whittling on anything, unless someone has a fershure fix.

 

[saemetric]

These are the newer Altamont grips. Make sure the small holes that the 2 locating pins are clean, not allowing the pins to go all the way in. Clean them out with a drill bit using fingers to turn bit.

 

[Harkrader]

Will do.
Thanks

These are the newer Altamont grips. Make sure the small holes that the 2 locating pins are clean, not allowing the pins to go all the way in. Clean them out with a drill bit using fingers to turn bit.

 

[Harkrader]

Carefully slipping them in at the top first helped. I THINK the remaining issue is the locating pin near the bottom of the grips, below the grip frame, that match up the two halves. Once together, squeezing the bottoms together closes the gap, but they don't stay that way when I let off. I placed the right one first, and it SEEMS that the left one no longer presses fully onto that locating pin. I think I'll just live with it rather than try whittling on anything, unless someone has a fershure fix.