Those Norinco metric grip screw bushings !!!!

[quantico]

So I bought the Norinco new in box to learn about them... so far I know that the stock sights are about a foot off at 25 yards... the pistol shoots way way high... did I say that it shoots high ???? Good. The next thing I learned is that the frame threads for the grip bushings are non- standard. Since I really like smooth and very thin grips I have to ask you wise folks if there is a place I can buy lowered less thick metric bushings ??? or even new ones that I can attempt to machine thinner myself... Let me know if anyone else has info on this .

A second possibility is this ??? can I drill out the metric threads on the frame and tap in standard threads ?? This would be a lot more fun if the metric threads were quite a bit smaller than the standard threads for stock bushings... as my " hole remover " and metal recreation machine is on the fritz...

Anyone have info that can help ????

 

[chrismartin]

I read a reply to a similar question on another forum (1911forum I think) that said he just bought a standard set of bushings and used tapping oil and slowly worked them in. As I understand the problem, the hole is the correct size, but metric treads were used. If you were to drill out the hole and re-tap you would have to find oversized bushings. If/When I run into that problem (I also got one of the NIB rinco's from FL) I was going to try the tap oil with the bushings method first.

Just what I read though, so take it for what it's worth

ETA: I found the post on http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=88630&highlight=norinco+bushings

 

[Dave Sample]

Buy an oversized bushing tap from Brownell's and about five or six oversize bushings. DO NOT DRILL ANYTHING. I figure you may ruin one or two doing this. Run the over size bushing tap in with some very good cutting oil and be sure you are going in straight. After you do this, you will still not have what you want. This information is for poeple like me who need to replace a bushing or two. If you want thin grips, file down the bushings that are in the gun to a uniform height, and use the thin grip screws that come with the grips. You will never be able to get them out again with a screw driver, but should you need them to remove later, a good pair of vice grips will get them out. The grip screws should be OK they way they are. Try a grip screw in this gun and see if the stock ones work. I would remove the top part of the bushing where the screw drive slot is and take them down all the way to the shelf. Good luck.

 

[1911Tuner]

Bushings

I've never used ultra-thin grips on any of'em...but when I get a set that won't tighten up, and rubber O-rings won't do the trick, I just detail strip the gun, and lay a 10-inch smooth mill file flat across both bushings on each side and take stright, smooth cuts until I get'em down far enough to let the screws tighten in grips that are thinner than standard. Worked well on .200 inch thick grip panels so far. For extra-thin panels, you may need to shorten the screws to keep'em from draggin' on the magazine. Use an old bushing that's been cut down a little on the outside...Install the screw and file with a smooth-cut file. Back the screw out to clean up the threads.
Take about 3-4 threads off and try it. You may need to clean up the filed bushings with a countersink to get the screws started straight.

Rinse the filings out with carburetor cleaner and air-dry. Compressed air if you've got it.

 

[quantico]

Thanks for the excellent advise... I like the idea of filing down the existing bushings. I can always cut a slot in them with a fiberglass cutting disc with a dremel to give me a screwdriver slot... or thread a piece of thread stock in with 271 loctite to remove the bushings once I get rid of the screwdriver slot. I can also use a jam nut to create more friction on thread stock.

Do you think I want to blue loctite the factory bushings in as I can't tighten them once easily once I remove the outside metal ????

Are there metric stock bushings available that I could use to return the pistol to stock grips if I wanted ??? ( without a vacation in China ) . Scott


Tuner , I just built a new garage / workshop and I do have a couple air compressors and gas and wire feed welders. I usually use spray electronics cleaner... for clearing metal and degreasing. I am a gearhead and design engineer for RF television stuff... but I am a darn novice at making 1911 stuff happen... I have taken them apart and fitted triggers ... can use dial indicators and micrometers.. but a die grinder comes more naturally than a file... but I am hell bent on learning about how 1911 parts interact.. I am just going slow and keeping the dremel tool locked up.

 

[rbernie]

If you file them down and lose the screw slot, don't try to cut a new slot and run the risk of slipping and hitting the frame. There's no need for the slot - you can always back out the bushings with a screw extractor/e-z-out. It's a piece of cake.

 

[Dave Sample]

We clean up the holes for the bushings with acetone and a Q-tip. after using the acetone to clean the bushings, we install them with RED Loc-tite. Blue in too weak for this application. If done right, they will stay tight forever. I do not think you need to do this on a Norinco unless the factory forgot to stake them in. Be careful not to get any Loc-tite in the threads for the grip screws.