Stripped Grip Bushings in Al Frame

[Justin9999]

Hello everyone!

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry Crimson with an aluminum frame. After about 700 rounds, all four screws in the grip were found loose and the top two bushings were found stripped at the frame. It seems the recoil forces stripped the threads, which probably began just after the bushings loosened just enough to vibrate.

Brownells has oversized bushings that can be threaded in place, and there is also a staked bushing option. Researching forums I found one case where the oversized bushing stripped out (loosened by recoil, vibrate/impact at recoil, stripped threads).

So I intend to use the staking option. Has anybody staked bushings to an aluminum frame where threaded bushings where OEM? Any incompatibility issues?

Thank you!

 

[Bwana John]

I would try Loctite "Threadmaker" before trying staking.

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-442-28654-4-80ml-Thread-Stripped/dp/B000WSEUII

 

[Justin9999]

I would try Loctite "Threadmaker" before trying staking.

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-442-28654-4-80ml-Thread-Stripped/dp/B000WSEUII

I considered JB Weld. I even have some Iron Crete (JB Weld on steroids). I decided against an epoxy after reading one case of JB Weld failing after a few magazines.

I am a Mechanical Engineer & I use JB Weld in prototypes a few times a year. I found JB Putty will lose its adhesion under impact, so I am concerned about epoxies failing under the shock loads of recoil.

Any experience with thread maker in pistol frames? Thanks for the suggestion - I may go that route.