#1 grip cap removal

[Chief 101]

Title says it all. Would like to remove the grip cap from the butstock for a refinsh job, what is the secret. I could work around for the wood refi but it needs some reblue work itself. Finding a better condition red butpad from a early 70's gun would not hurt either. Thanks

 

[mike7mm08]

No way to do it without destroying the medallion in the center of the cap. Drill a small hole in the medallion and pop it out with a small flat blade screw driver. Underneath is a screw holding the actual grip cap on. You should be able to order a new medallion from Ruger. Order a couple as they can be a real pain to get back in.

 

[Chief 101]

thank you, that is what I thought

 

[picketpin]

The actual cap has two small metal projections sticking into the wood to keep the cap from rotating. Be sure to NOT twist the cap until you get the cap UP and loose or you can chip the wood.

As mentioned the factory can supply you with new medallions. The shipping/handleing is actually more than the cost of a single medallion. So I usually buy 5 or 6 at a time just to make it worth while. I use a just SLIGHTLY undersized hardwood dowel about 4 inches long to tap/drift the medallion into place.

The other alternative to prying from inside the hole you drill in the medallion, is to drill the hole centered and just large enough to get a phillips screwdriver in the hole. Then back out the screw and the screw should bring the medallion up and out as is comes out.

RWT

 

[Chief 101]

or u can do as I did...drill small hole in center thread and use brass screw to press out...solder in place then finish like original...done deal