P320 AXG: Grip Screw Caution

TunnelRat · December 21, 2021, 05:38 PM

Hi all,
Sharing this as a heads up.

I was removing the grip panels from my P320 AXG today to do some cleaning of the frame without dirtying the grip panels. I went to put the grip panels back on and while tightening one of the screws, the screw snapped. I’ve had my share of idiotic moments where I went hat in hand to a gunsmith, but this was somewhat odd. I was only using one hand and because of past experiences (where I stripped the head of a screw) I only tighten until I meet resistance with a looser, three fingered grip. I’ve never had a grip screw snap before.

When I look at the screw what I see is that the top of the screw was only attached by the outer shell of the screw body. That is the main shaft of the screw is separated from the head and the head was only being held on by a thin circle of metal that makes up the outer edge of the shaft. I’ve attached a picture so you can see (zoom in on the picture, the head of the screw is to the left of the hole, with the shaft still in the hole).

I’m not sure if this was a casting failure or maybe this design is intentional to prevent someone from overtorquing the screw and stripping the aluminum threads. Either way, tighten with care.

Regards,
TR

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wild cat mccane · December 22, 2021, 12:46 AM

Geeze. On the premier Sig no less. Thanks man.

December 21, 2021, 05:38 PM	#1
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	P320 AXG: Grip Screw Caution Hi all, Sharing this as a heads up. I was removing the grip panels from my P320 AXG today to do some cleaning of the frame without dirtying the grip panels. I went to put the grip panels back on and while tightening one of the screws, the screw snapped. I’ve had my share of idiotic moments where I went hat in hand to a gunsmith, but this was somewhat odd. I was only using one hand and because of past experiences (where I stripped the head of a screw) I only tighten until I meet resistance with a looser, three fingered grip. I’ve never had a grip screw snap before. When I look at the screw what I see is that the top of the screw was only attached by the outer shell of the screw body. That is the main shaft of the screw is separated from the head and the head was only being held on by a thin circle of metal that makes up the outer edge of the shaft. I’ve attached a picture so you can see (zoom in on the picture, the head of the screw is to the left of the hole, with the shaft still in the hole). I’m not sure if this was a casting failure or maybe this design is intentional to prevent someone from overtorquing the screw and stripping the aluminum threads. Either way, tighten with care. Regards, TR Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

December 22, 2021, 12:46 AM	#2
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,627	Geeze. On the premier Sig no less. Thanks man. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.