Any tips on removing some 40 year old grips of a COLT?

[TommyT]

I have what appears to be an unfired Colt Python with 2 sets of grips and currently sporting the Colt Custom Shop walnut combat grips. I want to put the black rubber original Colt grips on so it looks right in the original case but cannot get the wood grips loose to remove them. I took the grip screw out (DUH) but cannot get the wood grips off the gun! It's like they are glued in place! I am not sure it they have just been on there for 40 years and somehow locked together into place and will need to be pried loose or what the deal is! I am afraid to try and pry them off because the gun doesn't have a mark on that gorgeous Colt Blue finish AND the beautiful grips look brand new.

ANY SUGGESTIONS to get these grips off without damaging drips or the blued finish? Any help is appreciated.

 

[jeep78]

Loosen the grip screw and tap on it. It will knock the other side loose. If you tap too hard, you will knock the estuchen out of the other side. Be careful.

 

[standaman19]

get a small plastic putty knife and a hair drier and take the hair drier and heat both sides of the grips up a little bit around where they separate and try to pry them apart with the ''plastic'' putty knife. the ''plastic'' knife shouldn't hurt nothing...I seen a gunsmith do that 1 time..

 

[TommyT]

Thanks you guys. I have this happening on a S&W 66 Snub too where I can't budge the wood combat grips from the gun.

 

[palmettomoon]

Heat like posted above and try to slip a thin piece of plastic between the wood and metal. I've used hard, clear plastic like a holster comes in. If the owner applied oil to the pistol before placing the wood grips on it that could be dried and like gum. I've had that before on really old pistols.

 

[StuP]

Try the screw tap method first, tap it with something wooden by preference. Even the plastic putty knife can dent the wood.

 

[TommyT]

I just did both recommendations above at the same time and it worked! THANK YOU EVERYONE.

 

[Gimmebackmybullets]

 

[TommyT]

View attachment 2123629

Would it hurt your feelings if I make this a last resort?

 

[Gimmebackmybullets]

No,Sir. I just couldnt help myself. And theres a cool story behind that broken tip off that anvil.