Picked up one of these at a local gun store for a reasonable price. It is bitch to install anyone got any tips? I can get one side on easy but cannot for the life of me get it to pull around enough to get the other side on.

V

First thing to do is coat the inside of the grips and gripframe with a thin film of Breakfree...or your preferred light lube. This is done to reduce the likelihood of retaining rust causing moisture under the grips...a relatively common occurrence with Pachmayrs.

Install the backstrap focusing on getting the protrusions in place on one side only.

Lay the appropriate grip panel in place aligned to the prepositioned side of the backstrap and secure them together with the grip screw.

Flip the pistol over allowing the other grip panel to hover over the grip frame with the screw in place..

Using both thumbs, stretch the backstrap over enough to engage the protrusions over the backstrap.

Once the backstrap is stretched in place, push the grip panel down over the side of the backstrap...either against the side of a table, your chest or whatever works for you. It might take a bit of juggling, but you get the idea.

While squeezing the grip, tighten the remaining screw.

If not perfectly aligned to you satisfaction, wait a day or two before trying any adjustment and do one side at a time.

It becomes MUCH easier the longer the grips are in place and the more you take them off/on during regular cleaning/maintenance.

Patience

Might also try a hair dryer or running the grips under hot water to get a little more stretch.