1911 grip screws

yggorf

New member
Those that know 1911 grips will know they use a screw bushing and a screw to hold the grips on. So, when you tighten the grip screw you are tightening both the screw and the bushing (into the frame). Is there a trick to getting the bushing to frame really really tight, but leaving the screw to bushing fit just snug?

This is important when removing the grips and not wanting to remove the bushings also.
 
grip bushing

the bushing are normally staked from the backside via a special tool to keep them in place. Most any 1911 Smith will have this tool or you can get it from Brownells



I also add some locktite when I do this
 
yggorf said:
So, when you tighten the grip screw you are tightening both the screw and the bushing (into the frame).

You shouldn't be. As jglenn said, the bushing should be staked and/or loctited in place so that it doesn't move when you tighten or loosen the grip screws.

I'd also recommend using a bushing driver rather than a standard screwdriver when installing or removing the bushings.
 
Note that if properly set up, the grip screws will stop on the bushing, not on the grips, so the grips will just be touched, not crushed.

Jim
 
The bushings should be staked and loc tited but the key is not to overtighten the grip screws, which is how many folks get into trouble. Just snug them down. And a bushing driver is the correct tool for installing and removing bushings. A screwdriver can get you in trouble really fast too.
 
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