Can't get this grip screw in

[Stefan A]

On my Rock Island Armory 1911 I noticed that one of the grip screws fell out. Couldn't find the screw so I bought some new ones. No matter how hard I press, the threads won't seem to catch. So, the screw doesn't go in. I guess this is how I lost the original. Anyway, the screws fit fine in the other holes. Plus, none of the other original screws will fit in the hole in question. So, how do I make this screw go in? My first thought is just go to a gunsmith. But I am open to suggestions.

Stefan

 

[WestKentucky]

Sounds like either a busted tap hit that hole and didn’t properly form the threads or it was missed altogether. Use a pin or something tiny and scrape the walls of the hole to see if you have any thread or if it’s just a bored hole. Either way it’s most likely going to come down to threading that hole. If it’s too large you can helicoil it but if it’s too small it’s a tap job. Simple. Should be really cheap and quick. The guys I use wouldn’t even charge for that job… but I might grease the wheels with a 6 pack.

 

[sparkyv]

My 1911 had replaceable grip bushings. No drilling/tapping required.

[edit: added image]

 

[WestKentucky]

My 1911 had replaceable grip bushings. No drilling/tapping required.

[edit: added image]
View attachment 1110212

been so long since I worked a 1911 over that I forgot they had replaceable bushings. That’s even easier than a tap job.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Take the bushing out, flip it over, and run the screw in from the other end until it bottoms out. Reinstall bushing and try again. If the threads aren't totally shot, this should clean them up.
Worst case, you need new bushings.

 

[Blue68f100]

They make over size bushing for the 1911 for doing thread repair if stripped. Brownell's sell them if needed, requires a special tap, which they carry.

Your saying the grip screw will not screw into the bushing? if so the bushing may be bad and need replacing.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Make sure the bushing is still there.
Then make sure you have proper length screws as well, there are short for thin grips/bushings and regular for normal grips.

 

[Twocanary]

Chasing bushing threads with a grip screw from the opposite end is a neat trick, Nightlord. If that doesn't hold, then a new bushing is needed. Can buy replacement bushings from 4 packs to a couple dozen (Brownells) or cheap China ones from Amazon. Seems like I'll booger the screw slot of a bushing sooner than later so I always have spares handy. It's a wear item for me because I like to mess with 1911's. I suppose I ought to be staking the bushings to the frame but I just use locktite.

 

[Stefan A]

Take the bushing out, flip it over, and run the screw in from the other end until it bottoms out. Reinstall bushing and try again. If the threads aren't totally shot, this should clean them up.
Worst case, you need new bushings.

Thanks everyone for the advise. I didn't realize that those bushings came out. I took it out and the screw does catch the threads from the reverse side. I let it bottom out (where it just spun) and did it a couple times. Reinstalled it and still no dice. The screw just slides into the bushing right past the threads. So, the threads are there, they're just not catching. Almost as if the bushing is a bit too wide.

 

[Blue68f100]

If you want to get away from the slotted bushing Challis grip bushings are all that I use now. Hex head so no messing up the bushing.

https://shop.harrisoncustom.com/challis-hex-head-grip-screw-bushings

 

[deadeye dick]

Could it poss

Thanks everyone for the advise. I didn't realize that those bushings came out. I took it out and the screw does catch the threads from the reverse side. I let it bottom out (where it just spun) and did it a couple times. Reinstalled it and still no dice. The screw just slides into the bushing right past the threads. So, the threads are there, they're just not catching. Almost as if the bushing is a bit too wide.

Could it possibly be that the screw is the wrong size because you say it slips past the threads. If you removed the bushing and screwed the screw in the head should bottom out and be tight.

 

[Bazoo]

Sounds like a new bushing is in order. They are about a couple dollars. Any local gunsmith should have them.