Grip screws too tight?

[guyfromohio]

I think I know the answer, but I'm at least 8 hours away from being able to check, so I will ask....

I installed some nice new wood grips on my CZ 75d PCR. I shot it and the grips loosened. Cleaned it, tightened.... No issues. This morning, I took the gun out of the safe to stick in my holster when I tried to drop the mag for some reason. It would not drop. I proceeded to point in a safe direction and expell every round in the gun. Still wont drop.

Now that I'm at work, it dawned on me.... The other day (with mag in the gun), I tightened the grips even further... Actually to the point where I was anticipating the sound of wood cracking. Do you think I tightened those screws so much that they are preventing the magazine from dropping?

Again, I'm 8 hours away from loosening and solving my own mystery. Thoughts?

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds very likely.

It is a common problem on 1911's with aftermarket grips.

With the mag out, look inside the mag well and see if the screws are sticking through to the inside.

If they are, file or grind them off so they aren't.

rc

 

[guyfromohio]

Thank you RC. Always good answers. Would rubber washers work?

 

[rcmodel]

You could try rubber o-rings I suppose.

But if the screws are too long for the aftermarket grips, they are too long.

I believe if it were mine, and I intended to leave those grips on it?
I would shorten the screws to the correct length, then put them on with a drop of Blue #242 Lock-Tight.

If you need to take them off later, you can with no probem, but they won't loosen again while shooting.

rc

 

[guyfromohio]

Yep.... Pushed the wood so tight that it splintered into the mag well. Big dummy. I reinstalled the stock panels and have a happy CZ again. Lesson learned.

I'll work on smoothing out the wood and maybe salvage the cocobolos, but I didn't pay much.