Norinco 1911-grip screw bushing

kps1911

kps1911

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
GTA
Just a cautionary tale for those unaware of the issue, although I suspect most of you here are.

One of the grip screws is in so tight it unscrews the damn bushing along with it. Problem is the Norinco bushings are metric.

Nasty piece of business. I soaked it in penetrating oil, I used thread locker to try to keep the bushing in, but no joy. Emailed Marstar, but they don't have the bushings in stock and when I asked if they'll get any, I received no reply.

I finally gave up and I'm now waiting for a North American sized tap from Brownells so I can re-tap the frame and use standard 1911 bushings.

Norinco should have copied everything...LOL

A couple of pics:

kps_grip1.jpg

/
kps_grip2.jpg
 
The metric grip screws are a bit of an inconvenience. I'd like to install some different grip screws on mine and was thinking of re-tapping the frame like you are going to. Keep us posted on how it works out. I'd be interested in the results.
 
jbmauser said:
The metric grip screws are a bit of an inconvenience. I'd like to install some different grip screws on mine and was thinking of re-tapping the frame like you are going to. Keep us posted on how it works out. I'd be interested in the results.
Click to expand...

The screws themselves are identical to standard 1911 and so is the screw thread in the bushing, it's the darned bushing portion that screws into the frame that's metric.
 
That's interesting. On mine the screws are metric as well. I've tried standard 1911 screws in mine and they don't tighten up. My Norinco is a few years old. Maybe they have changed since then? How old is your 1911?
 
jbmauser said:
That's interesting. On mine the screws are metric as well. I've tried standard 1911 screws in mine and they don't tighten up. My Norinco is a few years old. Maybe they have changed since then? How old is your 1911?
Click to expand...

Got mine 9 months ago from Marstar direct.

Okay, let me confirm the screw part of it when my Brownell's package arrives. I'm going by what I heard. Marstar does have the screws BTW, just not the bushings.
 
The bushing to frame threads are metric and always have been. The grip screws are imperial and any brand will work in them. Doesn't make sense but that is what they are and have been for years.
 
I posted these comments back on May 23 2012 on the same issue:

Glad to see someone else has the same complaints I've been finding with the new Nordinkos! Have you tried replacing the original grip screw studs with new standard or oversize replacements???? The last Nork I worked on - turns out grips studs are METRIC threads - guy wanted slim grips so I couldn't simply install oversized grip studs - ended up drilling/tapping 3/8 steel rod to standard grip screw threads - cutting TINY wafers off the rod, reaming out the old grip screw stud holes to match the wafer diameter and silver soldering the new bushings into place. Helluva lot of work but the guy can now replace his grip screw studs not "if' but WHEN they get buggered - with standard or slim grip screw studs. The rest of the frame/slide looks like it was hammered together in someone's back alley - have never seen such terrible machining and finishing. AND brand new good Brown internal parts don't all seem to quite "fit right". NOT IMPRESSED!!!

Contrary to other posts NO the the grip screw studs have NOT always been metric.

I made several extra sets if you want one - you will have to very carefully find the center of the hole and enlarge it to 3/8" then silver solder the bushing into place and finally trim off the slight excess from the inside and outside of the magwell.
 
Thanks superted.

This is what I know so far: The standard bushing tap is: .236"-60NS-2 and I have that on order from Brownells. Thankfully, Norinco used smaller metric bushings so re-tapping the frame with the standard tap should make all standard bushings fit. This is almost to easy to be true.

The oversize tap is .255"-60 if anyone is interested and also available from Brownells along with all the bushings, screws for both thin grips and standard.
 
superted said:
Contrary to other posts NO the the grip screw studs have NOT always been metric.
Click to expand...


OK, so I have learned something new. When was the change made? Mine is 10 years old and the threads are metric. I take it that the early guns had standard threaded bushings?
 
I know for a fact that the early Norcs I worked on had standard threads on the bushings and the guns themselves were well made except for the crappy metallurgy (milling the slide - you'd hit pockets of crystallized steel and the tool would chatter like crazy) and I don't know when things changed but I'm guessing the late 1990's.

One can get oversized taps and corresponding oversized studs from the boys in Iowa providing you don't want to put on slim grips that need the special thin studs.

I think I have some metric bushings laying around if anyone wants/needs them if they had to get really ugly separating the screw from the bushing (with the grip sandwiched in between. Good luck guys!!!
 
Had the same issue.

Cleaned the threads on the bushing, some red loctite 24 hours later and the screw came out and the bushing remained in place.
 
Interesting. I picked up a set of stainless Fusion bushing and hex head grip screws. Everything is SAE threads on bushing->frame, bushing and grips screws. I have a NP-29 which I picked up Oct 2011. Everything is threaded in metric.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom