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Post by TMan on Jun 9, 2005 7:19:01 GMT -5
Okay, so I got the Packmayer grips for my Colt and removed the old ones. The problem is that one of the bushings came out vs the screw coming out of the bushing. I was about the grap the bushing with vise-grips when I noticed that it had threads. So now I have the bushing and screw stuck in the old grips.
Any suggestions how to proceed without screwing up the bushing?
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Jun 9, 2005 11:14:23 GMT -5
TMan; Seems I'm not the only one who had this problem in the past, and I won't be the last.
Before you grasp the bushing with the vise grips, wrap some pipe thread tape, or a cleaning patch around the threads to protect them. You only want to apply just enough pressure on the bushing to secure it, while you unscrew the grip screw. Be very careful not crush the bushing while you do this.
After you get the screw out of the bushing you need to inspect the bushing threads very close before screwing back into the frame.
More on this later, and what I keep on hand for these kind of occaisions.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Jun 9, 2005 11:47:32 GMT -5
TMan; What I've done to prevent this from happening again is to clean out the threads, using acetone, alcohal, or gun scrubber, and appy a small amount of Blue : Lock Tite to the threads of the bushing.
I also use the hex head grip screws and keep an extra pack of bushings on hand. I ordered my bushings through Brownell's from Ed Brown. The grip screws are available through Brownell's, Hogue, Smith & Alexander, or most any parts supplier.
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Post by TMan on Jun 9, 2005 14:12:09 GMT -5
Thanks DA, I'll give it a try later today. Why wouldn't I want to use red lock-tite? I don't want the bushing to come out again.
Why do they have bushings in the first place?
By the way I picked up the Millet Bench Master today for $22 at Sportsman's Wearhouse. They also carry the lead remover cloth in convenient little packages. Well, they used to carry it. Now I carry it; I bought all they had.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Jun 9, 2005 14:36:41 GMT -5
Thanks DA, I'll give it a try later today. Why wouldn't I want to use red lock-tite? I don't want the bushing to come out again. Why do they have bushings in the first place? By the way I picked up the Millet Bench Master today for $22 at Sportsman's Wearhouse. They also carry the lead remover cloth in convenient little packages. Well, they used to carry it. Now I carry it; I bought all they had. TMan; THe red lock tite is a more permanent thread sealer, sometimes requiring heat in order to remove a screw. I've found the bushings more practical than screwing the grip screw directly into the frame because I'd much rather have the threads burred up on a replacable bushing than have the frame messed up. Another advantage to the grip screw bushing is the depth on the threads on a bushing verses the thickness of the frame. One other advantage of the bushing is how the holes in the grip sets over the outer rim of the bushing; With a perfectly fitted set of grips, the grip screw will set on the top rim of the grip screw bushing rather than applying pressure on the grip. This is where fit counts the most when mounting those aged elephant ivory grips, or any exotic grip. Just one of those little big items we need to put in the 1911 area. |
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Post by TMan on Jun 9, 2005 15:40:47 GMT -5
Thanks DA, it makes sense.
BTW I stopped at the hardware store in Hurst, TX on the way to the range this morning to get some turbine oil. A local police officer came in and I was somewhat surprised to see that he was carrying a 1911. I didn't engage him in conversation because my two shooting buddies were waiting for me out in the car. I thoughtlessly removed my key from the ignition when I went in. If I'd been a long time, they wouldn't have been my buddies when I came out. It gets hot in Texas even in June. Also, I knew they had guns. ;D
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Jun 9, 2005 15:54:43 GMT -5
I reckon you might find more than a few cops carrying 1911s in Texas; The Texas Rangers did.
Last time I saw a cop here with a 1911 in his paws, it was my Colt Gold Cup; He was puzzled as to how to disengage the safety so he could rack the slide. The entire time his thumb was positioned below the extended paddle of the safety. You should have seen this big cop trying to force the slide back, his brute force was no match for the Colt.
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Post by TMan on Jun 22, 2005 16:49:38 GMT -5
Well, I did it again. After buying new needle nose vice-grips, I got around to removing the screw from the bushing. I picked up the frame and it had 3 bushings with their screws. The one that was stuck was missing and not in the box. I couldn't believe it. Looked all over the house for several days.
Then I remembered that I had changed tips on my screwdriver. I wanted to make sure I had the right size for the bushing and for the screw. I looked in the plastic bag and on one of the tips was my screw and bushing.
Putting the grips on was a breeze and I love bushings. When I put the Hogue grips on the Ruger P90, it was difficult to get the grip lined up and insert the last screw. With the bushings the wrap-around grips just slip over the bushings. Makes it much easier.
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Post by TMan on Jun 24, 2005 20:55:20 GMT -5
So I shot the Colt today with the Packmayer grips. What a difference. The first shot was dead center in the bullseye, the second shot went through the same hole (or missed the target completely ;D )
Then I got excited, and things went downhill from there. The Colt already had wrap-around grips, but didn't have the finger grooves like the Packmayer has. The grooves made a big difference in my shooting. The range officer noticed and came over to see what gun I was using. "Nice". A complement from any of these "Kimber bigots" is greatly appreciated.
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