Removing grips when cleaning?

[desman]

How many on this forum remove the grips from their revolvers each cleaning?

I generally always remove them,so that they dont get oil etc on them,plus I like to make sure that the metal under the grips doesnt have any rust etc.However,Ive also read that each time you take the grips off,you open up the fitting on the grips,which can in time cause them to loosen up on the frame,so which is the lesser of two evils,or should I just buy rubber grips and put the originals away?

 

[Harrison]

There is a lot to be said for rubber grips. They come stock nowadays. they are impervious to most cleaning stuff, absorb recoil, will take a lot of abuse, and last forever. If you do manage to mess them up, a new set is cheap. Original wood grips might better be put aside and saved from wear and tear. Just my 2cents (American) worth.

 

[Pisgah]

I rarely remove wooden grips for cleaning unless the gun has gotten a real soaking. Maybe a couple of times a year, otherwise. It is rarely needed and, as you mention, each time they're taken off and replaced the fit loosens up just a tiny bit, especially if you are careless in taking them off or replacing them. Frankly, I probably do it more often with rubber grips than with wooden ones, as I feel I have seen more rust on rubber-encased grip frames than with wood-shod guns.

 

[murphydog]

I always remove the stocks off any new arrival to check for rust, crud, etc. I'm not inclined to do it regularly unless something might have gotten into this area, rubber grips or not (stuff can still get past these and onto the metalwork).

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I don't remove them each time, but I do periodically. I probably won't so much now because of the comment about the fit getting looser each time they are removed. That might explain why the grips I bought for my M10 get loose so easily. I don't like rubber grips on blued guns so I bought a set of wood grips from a gun show for $10. They aren't perfect but I like them better than the Pachmayrs that were on it. Maybe the previous owner removed them each time he cleaned, or overtightened them or something, because they loosen up very quick. After about 50rds at an IDPA match they were already starting to get loose. They aren't beat up or anything but I think these grips are just about shot.

 

[n4zov]

I just learned the hard way to routinely clean under grips. I took the Herrett grips off my reliable old nickel finish M-57 and found several small spots of rust beginning to form. Most were about pin head size but clearly a sign of things to come if left alone. I usually don't remove the grips on that gun because they are a very tight fit, but a new policy is now in effect!

 

[dant]

one must always try and remove ANY grips from time to time, to at least check under them.....especially the rubber/plastic ones , as they do NOT breathe, moisture condensates under them , has nowhere to go, so will "oxidize", yes, even on the stainless steel guns.......
wish I had a 'penny' for every gun we ever took the grips off of to 'check/service' in all the years we had 3 different gun shops and found so MANY, MANY rusted/stained, under the grips....

 

[Ky Bob]

I take them off every new or used pistol for the initial cleaning and then only once or twice a year depending if it gets shot or not.

 

[K38]

I like to use some RIG or other rust preventative with some body when I put grips on. I think it pays to take the grips off fairly often on blue or nickel guns.

Dwight

 

[VM]

It takes ten seconds to remove and ten seconds to reintall.
It's easier and more productive cleaning with the grips off.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

So the grips don't loosen over time for those of you that take them off regularly?

 

[VM]

So the grips don't loosen over time for those of you that take them off regularly?

absolutely not

 

[pownal55]

I always remove them, solvent and nice wood do not go good together. Just be careful not to over tighten the screw.

 

[roscoesheater]

I will remove the rubber grips while cleaning to help reduce the risk of rust forming under them, this is the down side to rubber grips, they hold moisture. Wood, take off only as needed, but do remove if I am giving every area of the weapon attention while cleaning. If you are very careful taking off and not over tightening when installing back on, this is not a issue of loosening up the wood grips ability to hold tight to the frame. PS: Gun Smith screwdriver, not the one out of the tool box!!!! This does more damage than anything else.RH

 

[stevieboy]

I clean my guns after every trip to the range but I only remove the grips once or twice a year. Nearly all of my revolvers have wooden grips, either Kuracs or Nills. They are very close fitting grips and I don't like working them off and then working them back onto the grip frames. My concern is that I'll damage the wood by doing that.

However, I also do not want to mar the finish on my grips. My solution? I take a vinyl surgical glove and turn it inside out (there's talcum powder on the inside of those things), then run it up and over the grip as if I were sliding it over my hand. I secure the glove tightly to the grip with a rubber band while I clean the gun. That absolutely protects the grips from contamination by solvent, oil, bore cleaners, and dirt and debris that gets spread around by the cleaning process.

 

[Cruiser RN]

I remove all my grips before cleaning time to visually inspect the condition under the grip and to give the springwork a militec-1 dry impregnated lube as well as the gun frame.Let us say my instructor wasn't keen on gun cleaning,"Once a year wheather they needed it or not".Doug bought his daily carry 45 but was so dirty if he were to use it he would have gotten the first shot off but the recoil spring was sooo dirty #2 wouldn't cycle into battery.I bought the Detective Special from his estate and it took a 3 1/2 hour cleaning just to get the gun to cycle and function correctly and it had heavy rusting areas under the standard Colt Grips.After cleaning the 45 is good to go but my D.S.Took a long trip to Colt for "Royal Bluing", correction of light hit and timing ussues,and return to factory specs.It stays on my hip when I teach @ the range in honor of him.A quick check under your grips can save alot of heartburn don the road...God Bless....Mike

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Wash my hands after every job, but need a good bath at least once a week and after a long trip - guns the same.

 

[Combat]

I clean under the grips and put R-wax on both the frame and the insides of the grips.

 

[Hyperion]

I remove the grips each time. However, I use Cylinder and Slide's Dunk-Kit and shoot with rubber grips. Any wood grips are set aside for safe storage.

 

[sourdough44]

Yes, I do from time to time. It all depends on the use. Of course any new to me gun gets a check over to start things off.