S&W mod 1911CT Crimson Trace grips problem

[440volt]

I bought a mod 1911CT several years ago, and love the piece. I had to put it in storage for about 90 days (ok, it was in a pawn shop, in the original case). BTW, I trust the guys in this shop, worked there myself in my misguided youth. I don't feel that they would have damaged my weapon.

When I got it back out, the laser dot was very "diffused". where it had been a sharp point of light before, it is now about the size of a quarter at 20ft or so.

I contacted the folks at Crimson Trace, they said that diode (the business end of the laser) was likely dirty, I should try cleaning it with Windex and a very small cotton swab.

Tried that, didn't work out so well.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hill_Country]

The lens does get dirty and does diffuse the beam - pocket lint, gun oil or a long range session will do it. But spinning the little foam swab between my fingers has always easily removed it. Is there anything else that could have gotten stuck to the lens?