The mystery of Hogue 1911 grips...

[alpinewhitey]

'Evening fellas,

Just picked up something that I'd wanted for some time - Hogue rubber grips for my full-sized 1911. I get home, eagerly, and see that none of my tools will unscrew the grip paneling from the sides of the gun. Am I missing something, are they just really screwed in tightly, or do I need a special tool?

Thanks,
alpinewhitey

 

[CWL]

No special tool, sounds like the screws were set too tightly. They should come off without too much effort since it is recommended to remove the grips before cleaning.

If you don't want to strip the screws, put a few drops of oil (Kroil if you have it) in the screw and let it penetrate overnight. Try again in the morning.

 

[Johnny Guest]

And then - -

The penetrating oil advice is very good. I suggest you do this, as well. Make certain you have a screwdriver which EXACTLY fits the screw slots.

Everyone who messes with guns much should have a good quality screwdriver-with-interchangeable-bits set. If you don't have one which fits, take a screwdriver which is slightly too big and modify it. A bench grinder is good, and a Dremel tool is fine. Grind the sides so that they are parallel and will just fit all the way into the slots. Grind just a little at a time. If you get the blade too hot, it will soften the metal.

Okay, once you have a blade which fits, and you've let the oil penetrate overnight, place the pistol on a firm surface. Put the blade into the slot. LIGHTLY tap the butt end of the screwdriver with a small hammer, while putting counter-clockwise pressure on the handle.

Good luck
Johnny

 

[raytracer]

It's also likely that there is a drop of loctite on the screws. It should be non permanent loctite so it should break free fairly easily.

Follow Johnny Guest's advise re: screwdrivers! Use one that fits the screws as exactly as possible. If possible gently clamp the frame to your workspace, get a firm grip with your strong hand on the screwdriver and place your support hand directly on the butt of the driver. Lean into it so that you're constantly pushing down and increase the rotational torque slowly until you you hear the loctite crack. The screws will come out normally at that point.

Be sure and use a good solvent to clean the old loctite off before reassembly. Use fresh blue or purple loctite if you like when putting the new grips on.

Joe

 

[berettashotgun]

And get some allen head screws for the new grips. Much cleaner to use and never the worry of a bite in your hand.

 

[mattw]

A good bit of advice that someone (I forget who) gave me:

Begin turning clockwise (tightening) and then snap it back in the other direction (loosening). Usually this will motivate a tough screw to come loose.

It has worked for me a couple times on some tight grip screws.