Loctite on grip frame of .454 Casull

AL45 · May 17, 2022, 07:13 PM

Just curious what color of loctite would be recommended for the grip frame on a .454 Casull? Apparently the former owner of the Blackhawk I now own used red. Needless to say, my gunsmith was not too happy.LOL

**44 AMP** · May 17, 2022, 10:16 PM

I always get a kick out of questions like this, because of what I know, and apparently many others do not.

Loctite has a huge range of products and while they are grouped into colors generally, each group has a range of characteristics, specifically formulated for specific categories of applications.

GO look at their catalogue. You'll see what I mean.

Some formulas are meant to be permanent, never to be removed. Some are "permanent" but made to be removed with heat. Others are made so parts can be removed with the usual tools. Some are high strength, some less so, some low strength.

Where I used to work, we had at least 4 different "red" loctites, 240, 242, 246, and 271. We also had blues, and greens. And different grades of those, as well. Each one was for a specific application in our industry, and using the wrong one would mean your project would fail QC and have to be redone. if not canceled due to your ignorance...

The product I would recommend for gun screws is "Guntite" and was sold under that name by Birchwood Casey. The last tube I bought (years ago, and not used up yet) had GREEN lettering.

Don't use Loctite "red" or "blue" or even "Green" without doing some basic research and knowing which one is which, and what it is made to do, and not do.

BornFighting88 · May 18, 2022, 07:44 AM

I ran into this exact issue a few years ago at work. I have spent years of hearing the old guard just say, "The color of the goo denotes what it will do"...

Red was permanent, blue was vibration resistance, and green was the middle ground. Not saying this is right, but it is what I had drummed into my head for years. We bought some green "retaining compound" loc-tite for holding roller bearings in place inside of a wheel package for the race car. Worked like a charm!! Getting it apart?? Well let's just say the stuff did its dang job.

All the blue we have can be broken with the use of hand tools and a good strong grip.

Red?? Heat gun and some vibration and its broken but messy.

But that said, we only stock one grade of blue, one grade of red, and one grade of green. We felt this eliminated the confusions associated with all the different grades and strengths.

I still use blue to keep optics rails in place, or to keep the screws on my holster from backing out and losing retention. That is about it.

FrankenMauser · May 18, 2022, 10:46 AM

I try not to use thread lockers at all on firearms. But the need does arise at times.

I use "purple"/222 for small screws and pins that *will* be removed again.
I use "blue"/242 for small screws and pins that I don't want moving and don't want to remove again, or larger pins and screws that need a little more help staying put.
"Red" (any number) does not come near my firearms.
I very, very rarely grab "green" (don't remember which 'wicking' formula I have) to lock something that is already assembled. The way that I use it, "green" = "thin red".

Scorch · May 18, 2022, 05:46 PM

As a gunsmith, I use a bit of LocTite (actual LocTite, not knock-offs or copies). I use a bit of green 290 and blue 232, but I still have the same small bottle of red LocTite I bought when I started gunsmithing in this location (going on 13 years ago I moved to this shop). Don't know if it's still usable, it's been a long time since I looked at it. But my point is that the easy-to-break types of LocTite are ranked by screw size and hand tools vs heat and impact tools to unfasten coated screws. I seldom use red, only use black on special projects, and often don't use any LocTite at all. If you never used any at all you would probably be just fine without it.

**44 AMP** · May 18, 2022, 11:26 PM

You don't seem to hear it much today, but when I was growing up and learning revolvers (which were still the dominant LEO and sporting pistols) it was standard advice to check all the screws for tightness, before use, or at least periodically.

There's a reason all the screws of a S&W are the same size and the guns came with the proper screwdriver.

I always thought that was a classy touch.

Ricklin · May 19, 2022, 03:12 PM

Be very wary of Loctite and I'm sure the knock off stuff is the same.

Get it no where near Polymer parts. Loctite eats plastics for breakfast.

BornFighting88 · May 20, 2022, 09:18 AM

I have noticed that, too! Makes them brittle and they crumble. Must be the alcohol or the petroleum in them.

May 17, 2022, 07:13 PM	#1
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 754	Loctite on grip frame of .454 Casull Just curious what color of loctite would be recommended for the grip frame on a .454 Casull? Apparently the former owner of the Blackhawk I now own used red. Needless to say, my gunsmith was not too happy.LOL

May 17, 2022, 10:16 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	I always get a kick out of questions like this, because of what I know, and apparently many others do not. Loctite has a huge range of products and while they are grouped into colors generally, each group has a range of characteristics, specifically formulated for specific categories of applications. GO look at their catalogue. You'll see what I mean. Some formulas are meant to be permanent, never to be removed. Some are "permanent" but made to be removed with heat. Others are made so parts can be removed with the usual tools. Some are high strength, some less so, some low strength. Where I used to work, we had at least 4 different "red" loctites, 240, 242, 246, and 271. We also had blues, and greens. And different grades of those, as well. Each one was for a specific application in our industry, and using the wrong one would mean your project would fail QC and have to be redone. if not canceled due to your ignorance... The product I would recommend for gun screws is "Guntite" and was sold under that name by Birchwood Casey. The last tube I bought (years ago, and not used up yet) had GREEN lettering. Don't use Loctite "red" or "blue" or even "Green" without doing some basic research and knowing which one is which, and what it is made to do, and not do. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 18, 2022, 10:46 AM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I try not to use thread lockers at all on firearms. But the need does arise at times. I use "purple"/222 for small screws and pins that will be removed again. I use "blue"/242 for small screws and pins that I don't want moving and don't want to remove again, or larger pins and screws that need a little more help staying put. "Red" (any number) does not come near my firearms. I very, very rarely grab "green" (don't remember which 'wicking' formula I have) to lock something that is already assembled. The way that I use it, "green" = "thin red". __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 18, 2022, 05:46 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	As a gunsmith, I use a bit of LocTite (actual LocTite, not knock-offs or copies). I use a bit of green 290 and blue 232, but I still have the same small bottle of red LocTite I bought when I started gunsmithing in this location (going on 13 years ago I moved to this shop). Don't know if it's still usable, it's been a long time since I looked at it. But my point is that the easy-to-break types of LocTite are ranked by screw size and hand tools vs heat and impact tools to unfasten coated screws. I seldom use red, only use black on special projects, and often don't use any LocTite at all. If you never used any at all you would probably be just fine without it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 18, 2022, 11:26 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	You don't seem to hear it much today, but when I was growing up and learning revolvers (which were still the dominant LEO and sporting pistols) it was standard advice to check all the screws for tightness, before use, or at least periodically. There's a reason all the screws of a S&W are the same size and the guns came with the proper screwdriver. I always thought that was a classy touch. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 18, 2022, 07:44 AM	#3
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I ran into this exact issue a few years ago at work. I have spent years of hearing the old guard just say, "The color of the goo denotes what it will do"... Red was permanent, blue was vibration resistance, and green was the middle ground. Not saying this is right, but it is what I had drummed into my head for years. We bought some green "retaining compound" loc-tite for holding roller bearings in place inside of a wheel package for the race car. Worked like a charm!! Getting it apart?? Well let's just say the stuff did its dang job. All the blue we have can be broken with the use of hand tools and a good strong grip. Red?? Heat gun and some vibration and its broken but messy. But that said, we only stock one grade of blue, one grade of red, and one grade of green. We felt this eliminated the confusions associated with all the different grades and strengths. I still use blue to keep optics rails in place, or to keep the screws on my holster from backing out and losing retention. That is about it.

May 19, 2022, 03:12 PM	#7
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Loctite Be very wary of Loctite and I'm sure the knock off stuff is the same. Get it no where near Polymer parts. Loctite eats plastics for breakfast. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

May 20, 2022, 09:18 AM	#8
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I have noticed that, too! Makes them brittle and they crumble. Must be the alcohol or the petroleum in them.