a completely stripped screw on grip

JQIAN

JQIAN

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I have a 1911 I bought quite a while ago, and recently I found one of the screws on the grip is completely stripped off.
I have dealt with stubborn and stripped screw before, using all kind of techniques like rubber band, and heat and some chemical stuff.
But this one is completely stripped, I mean completely. There is no way I can take it out and I suspect there is some locktite in it.

So, I guess my only option is either live with it (which I don't because I want to change the grip), or drill it out.
if I drill out, I know I am going to get rid off the grip, so I don't care about the damage there. But what about the frame, is there anything I need to be cautious?
or it's better to take it to a gunsmith?
 
Is it the stub that is stripped ? With heat it can come out for sure. They can be purchased at brownells.
Note those are staked usually in the back end.
If it’s the grip frame that is stripped, oversized stub exist. You need the tap to do that fine tread.
 
Janeau said:
Is it the stub that is stripped ? With heat it can come out for sure. They can be purchased at brownells.
Note those are staked usually in the back end.
If it’s the grip frame that is stripped, oversized stub exist. You need the tap to do that fine tread.
Click to expand...

when you say stub you mean the screw head? It is screw head that is stripped. I can see a shining and round and big dent in it which is completely stripped.
I see the screw is back staked. What I am worried is that if I just drill it through, it would not work because of the back staked.
I don't care about the grip though, I am going to discard that anyway.
 
The bushing can be staked, in side the grip, screws not unless some one butchered it.
If the screw head is still on , and you are tossing the grips, use a fine tip torch and heat it up , if there is lock tight , it will release.
You should not be able to see the inside end of the screw as it would drag on the mag, but if it is buggered, drill it.
A dremial with a small carbide cutter would clean up the end of the screw if it is staked over.
And you will need a new bushing, if it is Chinese, the grip bushing uses metric thread on the frame, grip screws are standard thread.

Or just leave the old grips on.
 
JQIAN said:
when you say stub you mean the screw head? It is screw head that is stripped. I can see a shining and round and big dent in it which is completely stripped.
I see the screw is back staked. What I am worried is that if I just drill it through, it would not work because of the back staked.
I don't care about the grip though, I am going to discard that anyway.
Click to expand...

Pull up a schematic and use proper terminology please. Remove the grips from the other side so that you can see the parts and how they interact with each other. The Stock Screw should not be staked, the Stock Screw Bushing should be staked. Please give make and model too, that way we are all on the same page. '1911' is a bit vague and IIRC some models did not use a bushing with the stock screw.

If your pistol uses a bushing proceed carefully, the threads on the bushing are .236-60 TPI (if Colt dimensions).
 
Lodi said:
Pull up a schematic and use proper terminology please. Remove the grips from the other side so that you can see the parts and how they interact with each other. The Stock Screw should not be staked, the Stock Screw Bushing should be staked. Please give make and model too, that way we are all on the same page. '1911' is a bit vague and IIRC some models did not use a bushing with the stock screw.

If your pistol uses a bushing proceed carefully, the threads on the bushing are .236-60 TPI (if Colt dimensions).
Click to expand...

I think you are right, it's bushing, not stack. I took out the other side of the grip and can see something covering the end of the screw, I think it's bushing.
The pistol is Smith Wesson 1911 performance center in 45ACP
 
Ok, thanks. If I am right ...the grip screw cannot be removed because the bushing is spinning, and the bushing won't come out because it is staked. If I am wrong please say so.


~~~

If I am right...get some Loctite 290, this the green stuff and is very 'watery' but has a wonderful capillary action. Going in from the opposite side, where the grip is off, you want to apply a TINY amount to the threaded area between the frame and bushing. DO NOT get any on the actual grip screw. I like to apply the 290 to a straightened paperclip, then apply that tiny amount to the frame. I then use the paperclip to 'drag' the 290 to the bushing's thread. Lightly tighten the grip screw, this will help tightn the bushing in place.

If enough of the 290 finds it's way into the threads the bushing will lock in place and the grip screw can be removed.
 
recently I removed a broken screw from a part using this technique.

1/32 cut off disc in a dremel, carefully grind a slot, use flat head screw driver to wind it out.

If that failed then drill it out. You can try left handed drills also. and combine with screw extractor another option.
 
ok, a picture is better than thousands words. here we go.

It's from the back, I took the other side of the grip off.
As you can see from first picture, there is some sort of bushing or nut holding the screw.
In second picture, I took that nut off. That nut (or bushing whatever the name it is) is screwed onto the frame.

So the stripped screw is kind of locktite to this bushing. So the bushing is not spinning because the screw is stripped (as I cannot turn the screw). Also if the bushing was spinning it would have come off from the frame (like the second picture).

The bushing are exactly like this ones from lokgrips: https://lokgrips.com/accessories/1911-full-size-bushing-blued/

So what is my best option here, not damaging the frame? I don't care about the grip, I can get a new pair. I don't care about the screw, it's damaged anyway. If the bushing can be savaged it's good, otherwise I will get another one.
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JQIAN said:
ok, a picture is better than thousands words. here we go.
Click to expand...

Not in this case. You seem to be showing normal parts in normal working condition.

You say the screw is stripped and then you say the screw won't turn because of 'loctite'.

Your description of the problem is not clear. It sounds like the grip screw won't turn because it is tight??
 
Lodi said:
Not in this case. You seem to be showing normal parts in normal working condition.

You say the screw is stripped and then you say the screw won't turn because of 'loctite'.

Your description of the problem is not clear. It sounds like the grip screw won't turn because it is tight??
Click to expand...

sorry my bad. Let me rephrase.
The grip screw won't turn because it's stripped. It's stripped because (I think) it's loctite to the bushing.
When I got the gun, the screw was kind of half-way stripped already. I tried to loose it but I couldn't and stripped it even further. So I assume there was a loctite between the screw and bushing.

I didn't show the other side of the grip which has the stripped screw. The bushing is fine, no problem. It's the screw that is stripped and loctite to the bushing is the problem.

Here is the stripped screw. I don’t think there is too much to see in this picture though
View attachment 634412
 
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Either cut a new screw slot as mentioned above or use a drill bit large enough in diameter to just remove the screw head. Once the head is removed the grip panel can be removed and either pliers or a vise can be used to unscrew what is left of the screw.
 
Thanks all. Got it out just now using the pliers and drill.
The screw, bushing and grip are not to be savaged.
Time to shop a new set.
Anyone one knows a good place in Canada for 1911 grips and screws? The shipping is kind of pricey for lokgrip
 
did you ever try any heat to break the lock tight free, if in there?
It looks like a allen head screw?? if so some one buggered the socket, you could have cut a slot and heated it and saved buggering the bushing.
 
OP,
Your pics show standard thickness grip panels & standard grip screw bushings.

IF you purchase standard thickness grip panels you will need a standard grip screw bushing.
(stone the bushing frame/male threads smaller (.003-.004")to fit a S&W frame)

IF you are seeking THIN grip panels you will need to purchase 4 thin grip bushings & 4 short grip screws.
 
73582 said:
https://www.amazon.ca/Damaged-Extra...cphy=9001466&hvtargid=pla-1530517341345&psc=1

Ive used these before with success, Peavy Mart sells them. For future reference, as mentioned, heat would help at the same time.
Click to expand...

I have that set, and tried, but didn't work. The screw head was completely shining and round inside, there was no groove at all. Heat wouldn't work anyway because there was no traction at all.
So I ended up dremel cut it and use the flat screw driver to get it off. Only took one minute, but screw is damaged of course, the grip is damaged. The bushing has a little scratch so I savage that.
 
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