[Average Guy]

I bought aftermarket stocks for my SW1911. They didn't come with screws, so I ordered a set of standard 1911 screws. However, the holes in the frame and the OEM screws are much bigger than the new screws (and they seem to be permanently attached to the OEM/Hogue stocks).

Is this some kind of deviation by S&W, or did I just order the wrong screws? What size screws should I order?

[The Undertoad]

Tag. I bought some grips for my S&W 1911, tried to install and one of the bushings came out of the frame, stuck on the screw. Never got around to fixing it, just left stock grips on... interested to hear this so maybe I can fix it.

[Billy Sparks]

It sounds like what happened is that you removed busing and all from the pistol. On 1911's there is a bushing that screws into the frame and then the grip screw threads into this. You can fix this one of two ways. Way 1 wrap tape around the threads on the bushing to protect the threads then grip the bushing with a pair of pliers and then unscrew the grip screw from the bushing. Way 2 purchase new grip bushing from Brownells, etc and install those.

I prefer slim grips on my 1911's and I have became quite good at having to remove bushings, grip screws and the like.

[The Undertoad]

Thanks. I was going to go the "Purchase new bushings" route but I want to keep an eye on this thread and make sure the screws/bushings are standard size first (this is the only 1911 I own)

[Average Guy]

Ah, sweet! Thanks a mil.

[Billy Sparks]

Undertoad sent you a PM.

I am pretty sure that the threads on 1911 grip bushing is consistent across all of the major makers. I know that Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson and S&W all use the same grip bushings.

[adweisbe]

S&W uses standard grip screw bushings. My local gunsmith staked them for me when I had this problem.

[JoeHatley]

screws/bushings are standard size

Yes, the bushings on the SW1911 are the same as the rest of the world.

A couple of mine came loose also. I buggered the bushing threads removing the scew. Used blue #242 Lock-tite when installing the replacement bushings, and the problem was solved.

Good Luck...

Joe

[Archangel]

You can fix this one of two ways.

Third way: You can put the old bushing back in with some lock-tite. When the lock-tite sets, then you can remove the screw and the bushing will stay on the frame.

[Bad Flynch]

Standard M1911 & A1 grip screw bushings are staked in the frame. As you have found, they sometimes come loose in spite of the staking.

You can separate the old bushings from the screws and reuse them, or you can buy new bushings and screws from Brownell's and use them. It will work either way.

Brownell's has the staking tools for sale, but I am going to suggest that you use red Loc-Tite as already suggested. It is far better suited to non-gunsmith use than the staking procedure and it may be more permanent.

[The Undertoad]

Thanks guys.

[ktd]

About the only deviation I know of is the Norinco copy of the 1911, which while I understand is very close to the original military spec, uses a metric grip bushing that is not compatible with probably every other 1911 clone in the world.

k