Colt Government stock screws seized

[peabo]

Hello,

I tried to search for this topic and could not find an answer...

I have a Colt Government Model .45 Series 80; I bought it new in 1985 and decided this week to install Pachmayr rubber grips on it. When I unscrewed the four stock screws, all four came out, but with the stock bushings still attached. The bushings should screw into the gun's stock, and the stock screws screw into the bushings. Apparently, the stock screws have seized inside of the threaded bushings.

Any tricks on how to separate the screws from the bushings?

I have them soaking in Liquid Wrench, but that is not working. I may have to just order new bushings and screws, but wanted to ask here before ordering.

Thank you!
Peabo

 

[rcmodel]

Grab the bushings high up on the shoulders with a common pair of pliers, then use a screwdriver to take the screws out.

The heads of the screws are seized to the tops of the bushings, and no amount of oil is going to get in there and help. It most likely has nothing at all to do with the threads being rusted in place or stuck.

Try to keep from letting the pliers slip down on the bushing threads and buggering them, and you can re-use the bushings.

Clean the frame & bushings with naphtha or alcohol to get all the oil off, then put them back in with Red LockTight. You don't want them out again, and if you do, heat will release the red LockTight.

When you put the grips back on, see if the screws bottom out on the bushings before the grips get tight.

If so, you can file off the tops of the bushings to give more clearance and prevent seizing them up again.

rcmodel

 

[presspuller]

If you got some try some Kroil on them. That is what it was made for in the first place and I have seen it do things I never would have thought possible if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

 

[mnw42]

I think it is more likely, especially since the pistol was new in '85, that the grip screw bushing were not staked properly from the factory. Unfortunately it is a fairly common occurrence.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

They should have been staked, and should be staked again.
But it is unlikely peobo wants to buy a $30 dollar staking tool for one job.
The Red LockTight will work just as well, or better.

I have seen more then one staked bushing come out with the grip screw on GI guns with over-torqued screws.

Never have seen one ever come out with red LockTight though.

 

[10X]

I suggest that you put a piece of leather or the like on the teeth of the pliers to prevent gouging the threads, hold firmly and use a screw driver to unscrew the screws.

When you reinstall the bushings use a small amount of crazy glue on the threads to keep the bushings in place for the next time.

 

[Jolly Rogers]

When you seperate the bushing and the grip screw most times the bushing will be damaged to the point I wouldn't try to reuse it. After all the frame is the most expensive part and I can't see the benefit to fire a damaged bushing into the frame...buy new bushings and an installation tool to drive them in (a guided screwdriver type of bit)and don't look back. This will be much cheaper than a trip to a smif. BTW and oversize tap is about $30 to $40 then you need the bushings anyway. and Locktite is the answer to hold them in the frame.
Joe

 

[peabo]

It worked!

Hello All,

I wanted to say my problem has been solved. I had planned on just buying new bushings and screws since everything I tried failed to separate the screws from the bushings.

Since I had nothing to lose, I grabbed a big pair of Channel Locks and really squeezed the bushings. When I tried to unscrew the screws, they broke free and came out!

Apparently, I wasn't grabbing the bushings tight enough before (I was worried about crushing them).

Amazingly, the bushing threads were fine and I was able to reuse the entire set again.

Thank you for all of your help!!!

Peabo

 

[rcmodel]

Well, there you go then!

Did you check the bushing height with the new grips like I suggested so it won't happen again?

rcmodel

 

[peabo]

Hi RCModel,

Yes I did check the height. With the new Pachmayr grips, the screws stopped sooner in the bushings than with the stock factory wood grips. I could probably turn the screws one more full turn before they bottom out.

Thank you again!

Peabo