Grip screws on My 1911 LW commander keep coming loose

ToddRvs66 · May 31, 2020, 03:02 PM

Any ideas or tricks to help keep my grip screws from coming loose. I do not want to use blue lock tite as I have tried that before and all though it kept the screws tight I was unable to separate them from the grip screw bushing so the screw and bushing came out all in one when I changed my grips out like I do on occasion

thanks

burrhead · May 31, 2020, 03:52 PM

Use clear fingernail polish instead of loctite or get some #60 O-rings from your local hardware store and put them between the screw heads and grips. I prefer the nail polish.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 31, 2020, 04:33 PM

There is a small rubber O-ring you can find in the plumbing department at Lowe's or Home Despot that's perfect -- good fit for the screw shank and small enough to fit under the head. Many 1911 mavens recommend them. If you need it, I can look up the exact number.

I use Loctite purple (222 - light hold) for the grip screws and blue (242 - medium hold) for the bushings.

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/...adlockers.html

TunnelRat · May 31, 2020, 05:01 PM

In addition to the O rings you could use Vibratite instead of Loctite.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kevin Rohrer · May 31, 2020, 06:54 PM

The O-rings work well. I bought a bag of them from Wilson. Blue Loctite works well on clean, dry threads.

cecILL · June 1, 2020, 05:44 AM

A very small dab of RTV silicon has worked for me, and on other thread applications.

Bayou · June 1, 2020, 07:38 AM

Another vote for the little o-rings. They work well. I installed them on my SR1911 several years ago, and the problem went away and had never returned.

As an alternative, that no one has mentioned, a bit of silicon tape wrapped around the screw should hold the screw in place as well.

Bayou52

**Aguila Blanca** · June 1, 2020, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou

As an alternative, that no one has mentioned, a bit of silicon tape wrapped around the screw should hold the screw in place as well.

Silicon tape? I don't think I have ever heard of silicon tape. What is it and where do you get it? And how do you apply it to such small screws? I'm trying to envision putting plumber's teflon tape on a grip screw, and I just don't see it happening.

Bayou · June 1, 2020, 10:19 AM

Yes, sorry for the typo. It's teflon tape. I had a friend who used it and passed the idea to me.

You will need dexterous digits, for sure...

Bayou

Sevens · June 1, 2020, 12:59 PM

I use the rubber o-rings on my Coonan because the grips I’m using are aluminum and do NOT flex or give even the slightest bit. The o-rings work wonderfully well.

Kreyzhorse · June 1, 2020, 03:27 PM

Any one have any idea the o ring size?

They keep coming lose on my Defender and it drives me crazy. Don't want to go the loctite route and the rings sound like a great solution.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 1, 2020, 03:44 PM

burrhead had the number correct: #60

ballardw · June 1, 2020, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddRvs66

Any ideas or tricks to help keep my grip screws from coming loose. I do not want to use blue lock tite as I have tried that before and all though it kept the screws tight I was unable to separate them from the grip screw bushing so the screw and bushing came out all in one when I changed my grips out like I do on occasion

thanks

Sounds like your bushings need to properly staked.
Or a good thread locker on the bushing to frame fit.

Nodak1858 · June 1, 2020, 10:58 PM

On small screws I've used a piece of monofiliment fishing line as thread lock. Take a small piece stick it in the hole and then I stall the screw. A poor man's nylon lock nut. Works for small non-critical fasteners.

Don P · June 2, 2020, 04:52 AM

Clear nail polish and if you can;t find the correct O- ring size find a hydraulic hose repair shop

**Aguila Blanca** · June 2, 2020, 09:48 AM

You can find packs of the #60 O-rings on a rack in the plumbing repair aisle in any Lowe's or Home Depot.

laytonj1 · June 2, 2020, 02:12 PM

The #60 O-rings are thick and result in the grip screws standing very proud of the grips.

I use Challis O-rings:
http://www.challisgrips.com/c/18-Bus...cessories.aspx

These will also work:
Grip O-rings: McMaster-Carr. 1.5mm WD x 3mm ID x 6mm OD. 100pcs-9262K119 $6.26

Jim

Brian Williams · June 10, 2020, 06:18 AM

I use loctite on the bushing and beeswax on the screws

rodfac · June 12, 2020, 08:26 AM

A touch of shellac, nail polish, or testers model paint will do the trick. All have worked for me over the years. Clean the threads with some acetone first, then apply the above. Rod

1goodshot · June 12, 2020, 05:29 PM

I ordered some little o rings with the grips and screws I got from VZ Grips

Big Shrek · June 13, 2020, 10:01 AM

Blue Loctite for grips screws and other assembly screws needed for cleaning/maintenance

Red Loctite is for Scope mounts.

And if ya didn't know, Loctite actually is RTV. It's just optimized for guns.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 13, 2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shrek

And if ya didn't know, Loctite actually is RTV. It's just optimized for guns.

No, it's not. "RTV" is an acronym for Room Temperature Vulcanizing, meaning that it's a synthetic rubber compound. The RTVs we typically find in auto parts stores are silicone.

Loctite thread lockers are methacrylate adhesives, not synthetic rubber. They are also anaerobic (cure without air), not room temperature vulcanizing.

May 31, 2020, 03:02 PM	#1
ToddRvs66 Member Join Date: March 25, 2020 Posts: 20	Grip screws on My 1911 LW commander keep coming loose Any ideas or tricks to help keep my grip screws from coming loose. I do not want to use blue lock tite as I have tried that before and all though it kept the screws tight I was unable to separate them from the grip screw bushing so the screw and bushing came out all in one when I changed my grips out like I do on occasion thanks

May 31, 2020, 03:52 PM	#2
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Use clear fingernail polish instead of loctite or get some #60 O-rings from your local hardware store and put them between the screw heads and grips. I prefer the nail polish. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

May 31, 2020, 04:33 PM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,457	There is a small rubber O-ring you can find in the plumbing department at Lowe's or Home Despot that's perfect -- good fit for the screw shank and small enough to fit under the head. Many 1911 mavens recommend them. If you need it, I can look up the exact number. I use Loctite purple (222 - light hold) for the grip screws and blue (242 - medium hold) for the bushings. https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/...adlockers.html __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

May 31, 2020, 05:01 PM	#4
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,204	In addition to the O rings you could use Vibratite instead of Loctite. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by TunnelRat; May 31, 2020 at 07:15 PM.

May 31, 2020, 06:54 PM	#5
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	The O-rings work well. I bought a bag of them from Wilson. Blue Loctite works well on clean, dry threads. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

June 1, 2020, 05:44 AM	#6
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	A very small dab of RTV silicon has worked for me, and on other thread applications.

June 1, 2020, 07:38 AM	#7
Bayou Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2016 Location: SE Louisiana Posts: 300	Another vote for the little o-rings. They work well. I installed them on my SR1911 several years ago, and the problem went away and had never returned. As an alternative, that no one has mentioned, a bit of silicon tape wrapped around the screw should hold the screw in place as well. Bayou52 __________________ Bayou NRA Life Member "Keep Calm and Reload"

June 1, 2020, 10:19 AM	#9
Bayou Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2016 Location: SE Louisiana Posts: 300	Yes, sorry for the typo. It's teflon tape. I had a friend who used it and passed the idea to me. You will need dexterous digits, for sure... Bayou __________________ Bayou NRA Life Member "Keep Calm and Reload"

June 1, 2020, 12:59 PM	#10
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	I use the rubber o-rings on my Coonan because the grips I’m using are aluminum and do NOT flex or give even the slightest bit. The o-rings work wonderfully well. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 1, 2020, 03:27 PM	#11
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Any one have any idea the o ring size? They keep coming lose on my Defender and it drives me crazy. Don't want to go the loctite route and the rings sound like a great solution. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

June 1, 2020, 03:44 PM	#12
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,457	burrhead had the number correct: #60 __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

June 1, 2020, 10:58 PM	#14
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 435	On small screws I've used a piece of monofiliment fishing line as thread lock. Take a small piece stick it in the hole and then I stall the screw. A poor man's nylon lock nut. Works for small non-critical fasteners. __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

June 2, 2020, 04:52 AM	#15
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Clear nail polish and if you can;t find the correct O- ring size find a hydraulic hose repair shop __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

June 2, 2020, 09:48 AM	#16
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,457	You can find packs of the #60 O-rings on a rack in the plumbing repair aisle in any Lowe's or Home Depot. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

June 2, 2020, 02:12 PM	#17
laytonj1 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Posts: 4,443	The #60 O-rings are thick and result in the grip screws standing very proud of the grips. I use Challis O-rings: http://www.challisgrips.com/c/18-Bus...cessories.aspx These will also work: Grip O-rings: McMaster-Carr. 1.5mm WD x 3mm ID x 6mm OD. 100pcs-9262K119 $6.26 Jim

June 10, 2020, 06:18 AM	#18
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	I use loctite on the bushing and beeswax on the screws __________________ Brian <><

June 12, 2020, 08:26 AM	#19
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	A touch of shellac, nail polish, or testers model paint will do the trick. All have worked for me over the years. Clean the threads with some acetone first, then apply the above. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

June 12, 2020, 05:29 PM	#20
1goodshot Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2001 Location: chandler,az Posts: 929	I ordered some little o rings with the grips and screws I got from VZ Grips

June 13, 2020, 10:01 AM	#21
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Blue Loctite for grips screws and other assembly screws needed for cleaning/maintenance Red Loctite is for Scope mounts. And if ya didn't know, Loctite actually is RTV. It's just optimized for guns. __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

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