Can't remove the grips from a J-frame

[matis]

I'm trying to help a friend get the grips off his S&W 640 stainless.


These are wood with finger grooves and beautiful grain showing through a shiny grey finish. They cover the front-strap (2 halves meet) but not the backstrap, nor the bottom of grip frame.

The gun hurts to shoot with 357's so he wants to put on rubber grips that cover the backstrap.


I got the screw out easily. But the 2 halves won't come off the gun.

I can see where someone must have tried to pry between the bottom (strap?) and the wood. They managed to chip off a tiny splinter from the bottom and made a hair-line crack. I didn't noticed these until I considered pying there, myself.

I don't want to cause similar damage so I won't pry.


Tapping the back-strap with the plastic handle of a screw driver has not worked. The wood panels seem to be "stuck" onto the gun, probably with gunk, goop and sweat. The gun is probably around 10-15 years old.


I ran searches with different wording. Although I found some interesting threads, none referred to removing stuck grip panels from a J-frame.


Anyone know how to remove these grips without damaging the gun?

Thanks,


matis

 

[dfariswheel]

Remove the grip screw, then turn it back in a turn or two.

Use the screwdriver in the screw slot to push on the screw.

This will force the opposite grip to unseat from the frame.

If this fails, use an automotive feeler gage set to find gaps between the grips, then use the feeler gage as wedges to open the gap until you can pull them apart.

 

[matis]

I tried the screw procedure, but it felt as if the metal threaded washer (?) the screw goes into was moving in the wood. So I quit that.

A friend will lend me a feeler gauge (can't find my own) and I'll do it that way. Sounds like that way should work.


Thank you very much for the advice, dfariswheel. I'll let you know once I've got the job done.


matis

 

[BullfrogKen]

Once you do get them separated, ask him what he plans on doing with them. I'm in need of wood grips for my square butt J frame.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Not having feeler gauges, I use a very sharp, thin knife blade. I tap it into a gap—any gap—with a knuckle against the back of the blade. Instead of using the blade as a lever, I tap it in here, tap it in there, tap it in several other places. Sooner or later, the stocks begin to loosen.

 

[JMusic]

Take a hair dryer or heat gun and heat the grips up until they are very hot to the touch. Loosen the grip screw and tap on it with a Plastic hammer. If that don't work use a rubber hammer and whack all around the grips. The sharp knife or feeler gauge can be your last result. More than likely someone has put them on after using a wood finishing oil or varnish prior to drying completely. Good luck.
Jim

 

[scbair]

I've encountered this a few times over the years. I have taken an old plastic card (expired credit card, insurance card, etc.), "shaved" a sharp edge on it (a real credit card knife!! ) and used it as a "prybar" to loosen one of the panels. It doesn't mar the frame, even if you're a bit clumsy (as I am).

 

[Onmilo]

Remove the screw.
Cover the bottom of the gripframe and the grips with an old t-shirt and whack the bottom with a rawhide or rubber mallet.
It may take more than a few blow and you have to be careful if you don't want to damage the grips but one side or the other will eventually release.

When you get one side off you can tap the other side free from the inside.
Good luck.