Do you locktite your grip screws?

[Rockrivr1]

After a few range trips with some of my semi autos I've noticed that the grips screws have loosened up a little. Thinking of using blue Locktite on them, but wondering if others have done this and if there's been any issues doing so. Doubtful but figured I'd check first.

 

[M1911]

No, but I've lost some grip screws.

 

[Mass Predator]

No...i prefer to use small o rings provided i can get them to sit flush.....not permanent but thats why.

 

[Chet0729]

You may want to find the purple stuff. The blue may be to strong on smaller screws.

 

[Gammon]

Some manufacturers (Sig for one) recommend it. I don't think it is s good idea for a 1911. I own several and have never had a grip screw loosen in many years. There is always the chance that a loctited grip screw will take the bushing with it when removed.

 

[chris_1001]

I use the blue. No issues.

Prior, one of my 1911's used to loosen up during a trip to the range, so this is now part of my reassembly.

 

[chuckster]

You may want to find the purple stuff. The blue may be to strong on smaller screws.

This! Use purple, Midway used to carry it. IMO blue locktite is too strong for grip screws.

 

[SJan]

Yes, on 1911 my grip screws need to have blue loctite to stay in.

 

[tk421991]

See, what you need are some bakelite M57 grips. Those things will NEVER come off. Even when you're working on the gun!

 

[DW357]

I have to use blue loctite on my Coonan 357 mag 1911 grips screws. But that's a different beast than a 45 1911

 

[Picton]

I've never needed loctite on grip screws,but I have at times used it on the grip screw bushings for 1911s. They've always been a bigger problem for me than the screws.

 

[PSS]

I use my wife's nail polish. Holds the screw tight but isn't too hard to get out when you want

 

[M60]

Some manufacturers (Sig for one) recommend it. I don't think it is s good idea for a 1911. I own several and have never had a grip screw loosen in many years. There is always the chance that a loctited grip screw will take the bushing with it when removed.

I've that happen just tightening the grip screws to tight.

 

[dlarge]

Never, why?

Tighten those little shits down.

 

[drgrant]

Never, why?

Tighten those little shits down.

Because that shit vibrates loose, depending on the gun and what the grips are made out of.

On smith 1911s with most of the grips they use, the screws will readily loosen up after a few firings.

On my DW specialist the screws never seem to get loose on their own. So I never had to apply loctite. But those grips probably cost 5 times what the smith grips cost and the hardware in that gun is all top shelf, so it probably fits properly.

-Mike

 

[greencobra]

i do on a few screws that back out. i've started to switch to the hex head screws on the 1911's and for some reason they stay put. why, can't explain.

 

[SJan]

I've never needed loctite on grip screws,but I have at times used it on the grip screw bushings for 1911s. They've always been a bigger problem for me than the screws.

The bushings should be staked to the frame.

 

[Marty McFly]

I was afraid the blue would be too strong so i used a drop of pipe sealant. Wiped the excess and been good for years

 

[Picton]

The bushings should be staked to the frame.

You're right. They should be.

They weren't on the R1 I used to own, nor on an AO I bought back in 1995. Just something to watch for, is all.

 

[bill o]

The bushings should be staked to the frame.

If you're too lazy to chase the threads and just use brute force to torque them on, they can stay pretty tight that way too.

 

[MP-In-The-Wind]

Hmmm...I've NEVER had one back out...and I've shot LOTS of rounds...with LOTS of different firearms...Now the gas plug screw (finger tight) on my Garand...that's a different matter!

 

[92G]

i prefer not to loctite grip screws. if necessary i woudl use purple low strength loc tite not the blue or red. for 1911's sometimes loctite creates more problems because when go to remove the panels the bushings end up unthreading from the frame.

agree w above o-ring or small lock washer works well in most cases assuming they fit.

 

[wheelgun]

As a previous poster said, nail polish is the way to go. It has more than sufficient strength and is easy to remove. Using any kind of loctite is overkill for this. And besides, nail polish offers a huge array of colors

 

[SJan]

If you're too lazy to chase the threads and just use brute force to torque them on, they can stay pretty tight that way too.

hows the saying go?
A cross thread is a tight thread?

 

[noxin]

Ha! Don't know why but I immediately thought he was referring to the AR15 Grip screw

 

[Fixxah]

Yes, and I have a bag of extra screws somewhere.

 

[Gammon]

The bushings should be staked to the frame.

The "tried and true" method of securing 1911 grip screw bushings is staking, but this method was used in the original pistols designed in 1900, long before the invention of Loctite. It is now easier to secure these bushings with Loctite 272. Using proper procedure, including Loctite Primer, the bushings will be just as secure as staking without resorting to the staking tool.

 

[sig shooter]

I use clear nail polish, old gunsmith trick.


Sent from my 5054N using Tapatalk

 

[45collector]

i do on a few screws that back out. i've started to switch to the hex head screws on the 1911's and for some reason they stay put. why, can't explain.

Same here, on all my 1911s that I fire often and I've had the same results. The Allen head screws haven't given me any problems.

 

[a73elkyss]

You may want to find the purple stuff. The blue may be to strong on smaller screws.

This! Use purple, Midway used to carry it. IMO blue locktite is too strong for grip screws.

Agreed, if you need it. Don't need it on all my guns, but a few do benefit from it. Loctite 222 Threadlocker Purple at Midway USA or Amazon. A little goes a long way.

Jay