Grip Panels Coming Loose

[OnTheSide]

Have taken the SR1911 to the range numerous times, only one small issue: the grip panels keep loosening. I keep the tool with me and tighten them as needed, but this seems odd to have to do frequently. Over torquing the screws and inserts, and subsequently damaging the frame threads, scares me. My son's SR1911 has not had this issue strangely enough as he shoots it as much as I do mine. Removable lock-tight liquid may be a solution. Opinions?

Jim.

 

[gstan1919]

I used the purple colored loctite (low strength) and they have never loosened up again.

 

[Tellico]

If you go by a Home Depot, Lowes or Ace HW. and get four little "O" rings that just fit the screws that works good as well. Cheap too, unless you have some Locktite.
Fred

 

[deac45]

A few wraps of mono fishing line around the threads works well, too. I'm not as messy with mono as I am with loc-tite either.

Deac45

 

[dlidster]

Clear nail polish works as well as purple Loc-Tite. If you're married, there's probably some in the house. If not, you'll find it's infinitely cheaper and easier to find than purple Loc-Tite.

 

[Pat-inCO]

Clear nail polish works as well as purple Loc-Tite.

True! And the idea of mono fishing line . . . . just one thread straight down, rather that wrapped around, will do wonders.

I'd try the clear polish first. 8)

 

[oscar]

Clear nail polish on mine.

 

[dlay]

What tool fits the grip screws?

 

[OnTheSide]

It's a hex key (Allen wrench) from your standard tool box. I changed the grip panels with the rubber ones available from Ruger for $14.00. They worked great but they really ruined the looks of the firearm.....and looks are more important, right :wink:. When I removed them, one of the inserts unscrewed from the frame. The insert was so tightly attached to the grip panel screw, that I damaged the threads removing it. Luckily Ruger provides those for sale for $3.00 a set, but hence my concern with over torquing and such.

 

[dlay]

It's a hex key (Allen wrench) from your standard tool box. I changed the grip panels with the rubber ones available from Ruger for $14.00. They worked great but they really ruined the looks of the firearm.....and looks are more important, right :wink:. When I removed them, one of the inserts unscrewed from the frame. The insert was so tightly attached to the grip panel screw, that I damaged the threads removing it. Luckily Ruger provides those for sale for $3.00 a set, but hence my concern with over torquing and such.

Thanks, couldnt tell by looking with old eyes, think I wii leave original for a while, I love the original grips.

 

[dakota1911]

I think the "O" rings to try are No. 60 from Home Depot, and probably Ace, etc. I haven't had issues with mine, but I don't put hundreds of rounds through it; say 50 to 100, then bring it home and clean it, and cleaning it means removing the grips and cleaning under them.

 

[OnTheSide]

Thanks for the tip...I'd rather do that then use lock tight.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I would certainly Loctite the insert(s) into the frame, if it were mine.

JMHO

 

[edlmann]

Clear nail polish works as well as purple Loc-Tite. If you're married, there's probably some in the house. If not, you'll find it's infinitely cheaper and easier to find than purple Loc-Tite.

Works for chiggers, too. :roll:

 

[Cholo]

I finally got an SR1911 yesterday. When I took the grips off to clean it, one of the inserts came off with it. When I got it home today after breaking it in, 3 of the grip screws were loose and the other was also loose and came out with the insert again. I used blue threadlocker on that one and went to ACE for some O rings. I bought 4 each of their smallest and next one larger, $.23 each. For some unexplained reason, I needed the slightly larger ones for the bottom screws and the tiny ones I had to roll onto the screw for the upper ones or the screw heads would stick out too much.

Bring one of your grip screws at ACE and that ought to fix the loose screw problem. That's my plan anyway :wink: