Stripped Grip Screws

U

USMC Tanker

New member
So I pick up my NIB M9 today and take off the grips to slap on the Hogues I got for it.

Using my allen key, correct size mind you, the hex slot strips out like soggy wood!

So to clarify, it's not the threads that are stripped, it is the "allen/hex hole" on the head of the screw itself that is stripped.

I can't loosen the screw at all.

Help?
 
Stripped hex

Tank,
Take another hex wrench, next size up, cut off a 1 or 2 inch straight section and grind one end to just a bit larger than the stripped screw's hex hole. Bearing in mind that you do not want to crush or otherwise distort the frame, Take the modified hex and a small hammer and gently bash the shaft into the hex hole of the screw. In effect, you are broaching the hole to fit the shaft. Now, holding the shaft in the screw head, take a wrench that fits the shaft and turn out the screw. Helps move the metal in the screw if the end of the shaft is sharply squared. You can sometimes get a slightly larger Torx bit to accomplish the same effect. Again, it helps if the end of the bit is ground sharply square. Says something for using quality ( meaning expensive) fasteners doesn't it?
Let us know how it works out.
Mike in Michigan
 
Could the screw be rusted or corroded?
If so place a drop of a quality penetrating oil and let it sit over night.
 
Tried a small flat-head that fits the ID of the striped head? I've also used reverse drill bits at slow speed at work. But that's for cars and not a nice pistol.
 
Is the hole rounded? If what Mike is saying doesn't work, and it should,(putting in a press fit wrench?) take of the other side and see if you can get it out from the inside with fine needle nosed pliers. Plan 'B' is to smack a slightly larger than the hole flat head screwdriver into the hex head and take it out.
 
The threads won't extend into the mag well, as this would bind up on the magazines, a Problem sometimes with aftermarket grip screws..
Hopefully there's no locktite on the screws either..
I would recomend any of the ideas the others have offered, I'd start with the next size up Torx & if I had to carefully cut a slot with a baby dremel cutoff wheel to make a place for a flat screwdriver, Worse case would be to drill the head off the screw & then remove the screw with visegrips if enough threads are hanging out..If You have to the thread insert can be replaced in the frame, It threads into the aluminum & is made of mild carbon steel..
Good Luck USMC Tanker..
Beretta92
 
Have a Look at some of these links
http://www.berettaforum.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=search_tng&d=results&record=2454033-232230-DHM9
You may have to be logged in to get the link to work or use thier search function on " Stripped Grip Screw"
There's alot of answers to your quest There..
It looks like the newer allen head screws are causeing alot of trouble
BTW They use a 2mm allen wrench..
Gary
MY Beretta92
berettaiiji2.jpg
 
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Buy a wrench, screw around, make a tool, screw around, bust the screw off, twist the fame, curse and howl, post on the net...or

take to gunsmith, we usually do them for free when folks walk in (unless they have made it worse with their own garage tinkering)


WildalwayssimpleanswersAlaska
 
follow wilds advise and take to a gunsmith. Also on a different note were you using the Hogue Allen head grip screws or some cheap aftermarket ones?
 
Not everybody has a consicentious local gunsmith (I do.)
If I didn't, I would try some of the above that did not risk damage to the gun itself. The screws are shot anyhow and if I roughed up the grips it would be cheaper to replace them than Fedex to an expert.
 
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