Broken grip screws on 1911

[p89cajun]

I was adding a new set of grips to my full size 1911 the other day and I guess I tightened them two much because I broke the head off two of them. (I know i should of learned the first time but I thought it was a freak thing) I put them so far in that they are sticking into where the mag goes and now I cant insert a mag. Is there anyway to remove them? They were hex head screws that I don't think came with the gun from the factory.

 

[steelyblue]

Can you get the grip off? It may be possible to get some pliars on the lip of it without the grip. Otherwise, I would take it to a smith and have them drill it out, remove the bushing and put a new one in. I would think with the grip out you will be able to do something.

I always replace my screws with stainles flathead screws. They don't need to be tightened much and you don't have to look for an elusive hex wrench to remove your grips.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Just remove the bushings their screwed into the frame and order new ones and new screws And snug not torque You should nerver tighten so far that your in the mag well.

 

[HisSoldier]

One of the hardest things to teach people in the machine shop is proper torque, nine out of ten people I've trained tighten too tight. Some shops mandate torque preset wrenches for all socket screws, it's not possible to over tighten with them.
The socket hex screws for 1911's are a joke, not funny! they aren't hardened to original specs ("File hard", mild steel material, case hardened) and the ones I've seen look like they aren't heat treated at all. Most commercial socket hex screws are approximately grade 8, but not the ones in 1911's now days, they are soft! Then you figure how much material there is between the bottom of the socket and the bottom of the head, not much! I get angry when I think of what passes for modern engineering.

 

[berkbw]

+1 on michaelt - but read the many threads on loctite and hreaded bushings, et al.

PM me if you need. Your problem are easy.

b-