1911 grip holes.

[clipse]

What size are the holes on 1911 grips. I am trying to make some grips and I'm at a standstill with the holes. Any help would be appreciated.

Edited to add:From the looks of it there are three different sizes. On the outside of the grip where the head of the grip screw sits in, on the inside of the grip for grip screw bushing (its a bit bigger than the outside) and the center of the hole that seperates the grip screw head with the grip screw bushing.

clipse

 

[Jim Watson]

An old article by Dean Grennell says the screw holes are .238" with a .273" counterbore for the head. (Check the counterbore versus your screws, they do vary.) Be sure not to counterbore too deep. The screw head should be on wood, not against the grip screw bushings.

He put a very shallow .308" counterbore on the back side to clear the shoulder of the bushing but I have't seen that on a factory grip.

 

[clipse]

So where should I go to get the correct bits? Would someplace like Lowes have them? I was using a 1/4" bit for the counter bore. I don't remember what the other bit was for the hole that went all the way through though.

clipse

 

[Jim Watson]

.238" is a letter "B" drill
Dean made his own piloted counterbore, I don't know where to buy one. My FLG has made grips but I think he cuts the counterbore with an end mill.

 

[clipse]

I found some instructions on another website with details on the bits. My wife works at the local hardware store so I'll stop by there after work. Thanks.

clipse

 

[Dean Taylor]

Actually there are 4 different diameters of the grip screw hole in the grip but as we are very pressed for time right now in LV NV I am sure Tunner will explain this and give you all 4 different diameters.

Dean
[email protected]
410-952-7848

 

[1911Tuner]

Holes

Howdy clipse,

Jim Watson gave you the standard or ordnance spec dimensions...but since every Who-Hit-John and his half-cousins are making components and accessories...as well as bastardized frame/slide kits that are cut to their proprietary set of specs...I'd say that the best route would be to measure the diameter and thickness of whichever griip screw that you plan to use...and get a few extra screws in case you damage one. Ya never know when the vendor or the client will, for whatever silly reason, decide that they want to go with different specs.

For standard-spec screws, though...the numbers that Jim gave will do nicely
unless you want to use custom bling-bling screws with non-standard dimensions. Standard sizes are avaliable in stainless or carbon...socket head or slotted...and torx, if I'm not mistaken. I don't pay much attention to those, so I could be wrong on the torx thing. Not sure if they're available with jeweling or 30 LPI checkering though...but nothing would surprise me at this point.

 

[Dean Taylor]

Blindhogg sells a tool - 2 bits - that explains things. One for the top and one for the bottom.

http://www.blindhogg.com/forsale.html

The hole has a step at the bottom, the grip bushing size, the screw size hole and finally the hole for the screw head.

Dean
[email protected]
410-952-7848