Reviving a Ruger SR22

[XDJ]

I have a Ruger SR22 that a "gunsmith" coated the slide and sights with some very heavy pink coating. The coating is horrible and the slide wasn't prepped well at all before coating. I can save the slide but the sights are another story. Where can I find new sights for this? Shopruger.com doesn't list any parts for the SR22 and none of my other usual outlets do either. Does any other common sight fit in the SR22 dovetail slot?

They also coated the removable grip sleeve but now I can't seem to get it off to put the black one on. The manual essentially says pull really hard. That doesn't seem to be working. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mgmorden]

Call Ruger and ask a person if they'll sell you the sights. Sometimes they can get things that the inventory system doesn't list.

As for the grip sleeve - I'd personally see if I I could get a wedge between there and slowly tap it off with a mallet. There's probably some coating that got on the inside of it and it just increasing the friction making it more difficult to pull off. If it was slide on while still a little wet I suppose it could be acting as a type of "glue" too, though taping it off should break that hold.

Of course you might also just speak to Ruger about fixing it. They offer (paid) services on guns for rebuilds and such.

 

[kcofohio]

The grips need squeezed a certain way to come off in their normal condition. If I remember right, at the top of the grip, squeeze front to back and wiggle it down. The sides need to bow to clear a tab.