J- frame factory grips!

[gunsablazin]

Help! I have a S&W airlite .38 a friend wants me to put a spring kit in it for him. I have done alot of these kits, but I have never seen the new style grips without a screw in them. I do not want to damage this gun at all so is there a trick to removing these grips?

[The Rabbi]

PM sent with instructions.

I did it once. It was kind of a pain, honestly.

[gunsablazin]

Thank you for helping me out Mr. Rabbi.

[Luckyforward]

I tried it once . . . and ended up at the gunsmith, if that tells you anything . . .

[Guest Major Pain]

PM sent with instructions.

I did it once. It was kind of a pain, honestly.

Well now you've made me curious. I have 3 J-frames and all are older, so have screws in them. I want to know the trick to, just in case I run into a newer one.---MP

[gunsablazin]

I'm going to try out the Rabbi's advice tonight when I get home. The guns are supposed to come with a tool to remove the grips with, but if you don't have it proceed as follows. Using credit cards (two on each side) wedge the grips from the bottom until you can slide them off of the frame pins. Doesn't sound too bad, I'll let you know tomorrow how it comes out. The Rabbi says its a pain, and I do not doubt his word, but why oh why do they make a simple thing so hard? Besides that why doesn't S&W just do a good DA trigger from the factory? I'm not bashing the guns mind you I own several Smiths and the only one I have not done trigger work on is an ancient combat masterpiece that has been shot smooth.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

I've got the wife's S&W 642 sitting here, with the instuction sheet/insert for the grips. Scanning it now, and will toss it up here when it's done.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Here is the instruction sheet that comes with the guns that utilize the newer, non-screw-on, grips...

[Guest Major Pain]

Seems like a lot of trouble to eliminate one grip screw. Thanks for the info guys.---MP

[R1100R]

Is this unique only to the 642? My wifes new 638 has a screw on grips.

[gunsablazin]

Thanks all for the info. I got the grips off the gun last night and it was not too hard to do. A grip screw would be better, and much easier!