1911 Rubber Grips

[WSM MAGNUM]

I have factory black rubber grips on my Kimber 1911. I took them off to clean the gun and found them sticky on the insides of the grips. This stickiness is probably from some gun oil sitting in there.
I tried to wash them in warm soapy water and also tried wiping them with a little Hoppes, but the stickiness will not come off. I think the rubber is degrading from the oil.
I don`t know if there is any thing I can do about it, except buy new wood grips and leaving these rubber ones off the gun while in storage. Have you guys had this problem with rubber grips?

 

[tuj]

Couple things you could try:

-goo gone, a product you can find at Michael's or Walmart. Helps remove adhesive residues.

-iso alcohol, start with 30% and work up from there. Iso is a great solvent and will remove many residues. But it might also eat the rubber if you use too strong of concentration.

 

[hardluk1]

I would say something you use in cleaning or lube had a reaction with your grips. can't help with cleanup. I have use hogues soft rubber grips for 37 years and no break down of the rubber. mainly breakfree clp or G96 clp.

 

[JTQ]

While it's possible it is a lube you are using that caused the damage, I'd think it is more likely a cleaning product that caused the problem. Possibly the Hoppe's.

I'd give the back of the grips a shot of silicone spray, or Ballistol. Both should be fine with the rubber and will probably take off what ever the sticky stuff is, and probably neutralize whatever was eating away at the rubber.

 

[kcofohio]

I avoid the harsh solvents on plastic and rubber. Most CLP's are okay, that I know of. Never have had a problem with Gun Scrubber either.

The cleaner you used may be breaking down the rubber compound.

 

[bannockburn]

Never had a problem with any degradation of the Pachmayr grips I have used. I usually apply Rig Gun Grease to the frame to keep rust from forming.

 

[CWL]

Do you take them off every time you clean your pistol? If you aren't then some cleaning solvent is likely attacking the rubber.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I took grips of a new Kimber Eclipse a few years Back and found more rest than a 57 Ford sitting in a farmers field. Frame was pitted also. I put Grips on and sold the gun . Lot of money for a rusted frame .

 

[farscott]

For any synthetic grips (micarta, Pachmayr, other rubber, G10), one needs to be cognizant of the fact that those grip materials trap moisture between the grip panels and the frame. When I use those grips, I use a layer of carnuaba wax, Renaissance wax, or RIG grease to protect the frame from that moisture.

 

[gym]

I got a pair of rubber grips for a 1911, to last until the ones I ordered came in from elite. They are still in my parts box, and have been hit with every solvent there is, and they were used, my friend at the gun store gave them to me for 5 or 10 bucks. So I don't know what would cause that unless the material is breaking down. Is it shiny and Gooey?
That would signify the rubber was failing.
For one reason or another, I have been hearing stories of poor quality in Kimbers for 20 years now. My gunsmith tells me not to touch a new one, so with no malice of forethought, why do they seem to have more problems than other high end guns? Is it the carbon in the steel, why do they incur so many rust problems and ejection problems, I guess this should be a separate thread, "if there is enough interest, I will start one". Some guys swear they are the best gun they ever own and others the opposite. Not unusual with guns, but with thousand and up guns it's pretty lousy to worry if you are getting a good one or a bad one, and the retail prices on most have gone up a hundred or two in FL during the past year.
Many times I have had a CDP in my hands and remembered one guy saying the finish wore off, another that it rusted or had malfunctions after 2 or 3 trips back, or something cracked, and also what is with the break in period, does anyone really think a new 4 figure gun should take 500 rounds to be called "ready to be carried". I would love to just go and plunk down $900-1300 for a TLE, Ultra, or a CDP, but I would be really pissed if it was a problem gun that could not be counted on. Especially when you can buy a Walther or XDS and have a problem free gun for less than half. I have never had a problem with my 4 relatively cheap, 6-700 dollar guns. My 18 yr old Glock 30 still shoots like the day I bought it, why do these expensive guns have so many problems, is it just the 1911 shrunk down, or the metals they use to save weight?