Help- stripped 1911 grip screw

[TidalWave]

I’m seeking help for someone (at work) with a stripped Hex head 1911 grip screw…
No Loctite involved (evidently the others came of easily) but this one maybe had a gnarly socket hole to start with…
He has a Dremel with a cutting wheel and is willing to have a cut grip panel (to make a slot for a regular screwdriver) or replace his grips but I thought I’d ask here first.

Any other ideas? I thought about expoxy the allen wrench, but that things pretty rounded out now…

 

[KillerFord1977]

I’m seeking help for someone (at work) with a stripped Hex head 1911 grip screw…
No Loctite involved (evidently the others came of easily) but this one maybe had a gnarly socket hole to start with…
He has a Dremel with a cutting wheel and is willing to have a cut grip panel (to make a slot for a regular screwdriver) or replace his grips but I thought I’d ask here first.

Any other ideas? I thought about expoxy the allen wrench, but that things pretty rounded out now…

I would epoxy a cheap Chinese throw away allen wrench
Those screws are shallow enough that the trick should work

 

[mikep]

“Speed out screw” extractor may work with the smallest bit. Available at home depot or amazon.

 

[TidalWave]

I would epoxy a cheap Chinese throw away allen wrench
Those screws are shallow enough that the trick should work

I’ve never messed with epoxy, best i can recall…. You reckon it’d hold ??

 

[yotehtr]

If it took a sae allen wrench try tapping in a metric allen wrench to remove the screw. It shouldn't take much.

 

[TidalWave]

“Speed out screw” extractor may work with the smallest bit. Available at home depot or amazon.

Jim said something about those but trying not to buy new stuff if what we’ve got would work .
May still have to though. Awful tiny screw shaft to go into and I wonder if an extractor would damage the bushing threads in the frame ???

 

[yotehtr]

I’ve never messed with epoxy, best i can recall…. You reckon it’d hold ??

Too much and you'll epoxy the screw, wrench and the grip together

 

[yotehtr]

You might be able to tap in a tight fitting flat screwdriver bit.

 

[Bassbob]

Get the hex wrench that fits the tightest while actually going all the way in, then wrap some electrical tape around it. If the screw isn't that tight it might come out. Or slather it with epoxy and stick it in the hole and let it dry.

 

[mikep]

Jim said something about those but trying not to buy new stuff if what we’ve got would work .
May still have to though. Awful tiny screw shaft to go into and I wonder if an extractor would damage the bushing threads in the frame ???

They’re not expensive ($10-15) and are actually handy to have around. I’ve used mine more than i thought. It saved my butt removing the factory rear sight on a mini-14. I stripped that hex head in a second. Came right out with speed out bit.
You may want to swap out the bushings too if this one gave you a problem. Just a thought.

 

[Bassbob]

I looked at the speed out screws. Lowes, HD, Amazon, etc.. Couldn't find a single one with more than a 3 star rating.

 

[TidalWave]

Get the hex wrench that fits the tightest while actually going all the way in, then wrap some electrical tape around it. If the screw isn't that tight it might come out. Or slather it with epoxy and stick it in the hole and let it dry.

He actually tried that - but good idea .
That thing is really in there apparently - I would’ve sworn it had Loctite, until I saw the other screws & holes were clean

 

[Bassbob]

He actually tried that - but good idea .
That thing is really in there apparently - I would’ve sworn it had Loctite, until I saw the other screws & holes were clean

Even if he is willing to sacrifice the grips I would still exhaust all other options before ruining them.

 

[mikep]

I looked at the speed out screws. Lowes, HD, Amazon, etc.. Couldn't find a single one with more than a 3 star rating.

Mine hasn’t let me down yet.

 

[TidalWave]

Even if he is willing to sacrifice the grips I would still exhaust all other options before ruining them.

Concur, Bob… i think the next move is the epoxy. It’s some kinda mix-it stuff…JB something (?).

 

[835mag]

Try hammering a torx bit into the screw head and turn out with 1/4” wrench.

 

[TidalWave]

Concur, Bob… i think the next move is the epoxy. It’s some kinda mix-it stuff…JB something (?).

By the way, I told him we could cut the other grip and make them uniform, at least!

 

[Bassbob]

By the way, I told him we could cut the other grip and make them uniform, at least!

At that point just use it as an excuse to buy a really nice set.

Epoxy is a 2 part mix, but it will be cleaner than JB Weld. And stronger.

The speed out screws are probably worth a shot. As Mike said, they will likely come in handy again.

 

[Bassbob]

Mine hasn’t let me down yet.

Which set did you get Mike ? I want to buy a set just to keep around.

 

[mikep]

Which set did you get Mike ? I want to buy a set just to keep around.

SpeedOut.
Believe me, i was skeptical when i bought it.