Posted: 1/27/2026 1:21:13 PM EDT
I recently picked up a Pietta Great Western II submodel (SA73 002, apparently a Davidson's Exclusive with an octogon barrel) to scratch my SAA itch  Paperwork that came with it indicates it was bought sometime between 2018 and 2021 (the FFL was signed by the sender in 2018 and expired 2021), and then sold once or twice more before coming to me judging by the inventory markings on the box. It had NEVER been fired - swabbing through all of the usual areas are blank, bore is perfect, cylinder is perfect, etc...it'd been handled of course, but never went to the range. It's got some marks on the barrel from handling but otherwise...really happy with it, and it scratches the itch for sure.As a part of the inspection and cleaning process, I went to take off the black plastic grip stocks...and can't get them off. They're a two piece design, and the escutcheon the grip screw screws into on the far panel just rotates with the screw. The dried out gunk I cleaned off on the ratchet section of the cylinder, I'm guessing the same stuff congealed in the grip screw and hold it in place. Since it's clear the gun has been handled a bunch but never stripped or cleaned, I'm a little worried some moisture built up under the stocks and there might be some rust under them - or at the very least, it could use a good cleaning under there and some protecting. Basically...how the hell do I un-stick the screw I don't have anything high torque enough to really shock it out from moving, I've tried using a punch on the tiny tiny teeth to hold it in place (doesn't work, and just marked the stocks up a bit)...now what? I'm not married to the stocks; they don't fit very well, so if I gotta break them to get them off and replace them, that's fine - I'd just prefer to not do that. Since the stocks are plastic I'm a little hesitant to try heat. Worst case I can take it to an actual gunsmith down the road and leave it with him for a few weeks for him to get to it - it's not like it's warm enough to go to the range to try it out anyway - I'd just rather avoid the $20 or so that'll run me if I can help it. Maybe some superglue where the escutcheon meets the plastic?? Ideas?
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"Oh, bother," said Pooh, as he pulled the pin on another grenade...
| Also, I realized I could take the rear half of the grip frame off...nope. There's a block in the grip - it's molded into one side and uses some locating dowels to connect it to the other side...I can't collapse them together to get a grip on the escutcheon. Sigh. |
"Oh, bother," said Pooh, as he pulled the pin on another grenade...
