1911 Tuner, Help!

[ACP230]

1991 Tuner:

I was trying to change grips on one of my 1911s tonight.
The grip screw bushing came out along with the grip panel.
I put the old grip back on and it tightened up OK.

I have had 1911s for a long time and switched grips around some, but this has never happened before.

If I want to change grips, will I have to get a gunsmythe to put the bushing back and make it stay, or will a couple smears of Locktite take care of things?

The little buzzard was stuck in the grip panel firmly enough so I figured the best idea was to leave it there. That way I still have a functioning gun.

 

[1911Tuner]

Bushing Blues

Howdy ACP,

Yep...Sometimes they back out like that. Usually caused by not being correctly staked, but rust and overtightening the screws can also be a cause. The good news is that the bushings are fairly cheap and easy to
replace assuming that the threads in the frame didn't strip out...which is also a possibility, especially if rust is involved. You can probably get the
screw out of the bushing if you clamp the bushing in a bench vise lightly,
and tap on the screwdriver handle with a small hammer while your turn.

PM me with your address and I'll see if I have a spare bushing and screw.
If I do, it'll be on the way Monday. Loc-Tite will help anchor it..just don't
overtighten the screw. If you can find a smith who knows how to stake the
bushing properly, have it done. Probably won't be more than a few bucks
unless the hioles haven't been prepped on the inside of the grip frame.

A smidgen of vaseline on the screw threads will do much toward preventing
the screw from backing the bushing out again.

Standin' by...

Tuner

 

[ACP230]

1911 Tuner:
There isn't any rust that I can see. I bought the gun used, but it's in nice shape.

I have a couple of bushings around here somewhere. They came with my first 1911, back in the 1970s.

Smiths are in shorter supply though.
The one I know of, really prefers to build blackpowder guns.
I think I'll just leave the grips on there now in place and see if I can find a smith who speaks 1911 in my travels sometime.
Thanks for the offer.

 

[wally]

I had this happen to my Colt. Put a drop of locktite on the bushing threads and re-installed the grips. The next day I removed the grip screws without incident.

The grip bushing is the one part of the 1911 that makes no sense to me -- why not a normal screw into the frame like just about every other gun before or since.

--wally.