1911 Grip Bushings

[MoreIsLess]

I recently got some new grips for my Springfield SS 1911 Government Model. I removed the stock grip on the left side but when I removed the grips on the right side, the bushings came with grip and grip screws. What is the best way to get the bushings back in. I sort of boogered up the top half (that sits above the frame) of the outside of the bushing. I had to grip the outside of the bushing with a pair of pliers while I unscrewed the screws from the bushings

Is there a special tool that should be used. I am thinking of calling Springfield to have them send me some new bushings so I don't mess up the threads in the frame

 

[Stony]

If you go to Brownells or probably Midway, you can purchase bushings and they aren't very expensive. There is a tool made to deal with them that has a head that surrounds the bushing so the screwdriver part can't slip sideways on it. Again not expensive...you are dealing with a common, easily fixed problem. Dab a little blue Loctite on the bushing when you insert it back into the frame to help hold it there the next time you remove the grip screws.
The thread patterns are universal for 1911's as long as a person doesn't strip the threads out of the frame...in which case they make a tap and oversized bushing to fix it.

 

[rcmodel]

In addition to that, once you install the new bushings, you need to fit them to the grips.

File off the top of each bushing that the grip screw head bottoms out in the grip countersink.

NOT tight against the top of the bushing.

If they do that, the screw head is sure to bind tight against the bushing and you will be back replacing bushings again.

rc

 

[AZAndy]

I have wound up getting a new set of bushings five or six times. I know that a little Loctite will solve the problem, but do I ever remember to do it? No, I just keep getting new sets. I wonder if Midway will sell me a new brain, too...

 

[nettlle]

Challis bushings are nice. They have a hex head and can be tightened with a socket. I torqued these to 30 inch pounds (recommended) without Loctite and they have never come loose. I take my grips off every time I clean the gun and that is at least once a week. Sometimes several times in a week.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I went to their website and looked at some of these. Yes, they are very nice.

 

[MoreIsLess]

Challis bushings are nice. They have a hex head and can be tightened with a socket. I torqued these to 30 inch pounds (recommended) without Loctite and they have never come loose. I take my grips off every time I clean the gun and that is at least once a week. Sometimes several times in a week.

I went to their website and looked at some of these. Yes, they are very nice.

 

[MoreIsLess]

What is the best way to remove bushings. Is there a special tool for removing them or will Brownells Bushing Driver tool remove them as well tighten them down

Brownells Bushing Tool

 

[rcmodel]

Yes it will, unless the two screw slots for the driver are really screwed up.

In that case use a small pair of vice grips to get them out.

Mil-spec bushings are staked in from the back side.

A lot of today's commercial guns are Lock-Tighted in to save money.
In that case, hit them with a torch to smoke the lock-tight out first.

rc

 

[nettlle]

If they are loctited in it doesn't take much heat to break the loctite loose. Warm them up a little at a time until they break loose.

 

[Tallball]

My FiL loves his new Metro Arms 1911...

BUT when he messed up one of the bushings and ordered replacements, he found out that ALMOST all 1911's use the same bushings. Apparently a few, including his, use metric-threaded bushings.

He was a sad panda.

 

[MoreIsLess]

Mil-spec bushings are staked in from the back side.

I am wondering if mine are staked since the Mil-Spec is, I have a Springfield Loaded Target. My bushings came out along with the screws when I removed the grips

 

[dakota1911]

Challis are great if you end up replacing them.

 

[judgedelta]

Brian Chassis is a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with. http://www.challisgrips.com/

 

[Steve Cover]

Yes there is a special tool that fits a screwdriver for removing the bushings.
Also, if you somehow screw up the threads in the pistol frame, Brownells has an oversize bushing kit.
It comes with a tap that will clean up and enlarge the threads for the oversize bushings.
Ordinary stock screws fit the new bushings and they are the same size above the pistol frame as the regular bushings, so they will fit the grips without modification.

+1 on Locktite

Steve