Loose 1911 Grip Bushing Fix

[Glouceserman]

Greetings all, My first post, but have been reading THR for several years.
When breaking down my newly acquired Colt Series 70 Gold Cup, I found that the grip bushings came out when I tried to remove the grip panels. Apparently the PO had really over tightened them. Found a thread that was almost 10 years old that covered the subject and used the red thread locker (Permatex) fix, that worked on three of the bushings but one kept breaking loose. I did some research on-line and found that Loctite has a new red formula, #263 and that did the trick. So, many thanks to the original posters, you saved me a trip to the gun smith and thanks to Loctite for the improved product.

 

[rcmodel]

The problem is not that old red lock-tight, or lack of proper staking doesn't hold them.

The problem is that the bushings are too long for the grips you are using.

So, the steel screw head, when fully tightened, galls itself into the top of the steel bushings and won't come loose before breaking the bushings loose too.

You need to use a fine cut file and take a few swipes off each bushing top until the grip screws tighten against the grip countersinks.
Not against the tops of the bushings.

If they do that, the screws will not / cannot gall and seize to the bushings.

rc

 

[tuj]

try the locktite thread tape, I believe its the same as the red 261 just applied to teflon tape.

 

[rduckwor]

The other fix is to put very small o rings on the grip screws.

RMD

 

[Glouceserman]

Now that the gripe bushings are secure, I'll work on their height. As pointed out by rcmodel, that is the root of the problem. Thanks for all replies.