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Changing grip 'lugs' on a 1911?

dbrigham
'Lug' may be the wrong terminology; however, I want to change to thin-profile grips on my 1911. Of course that means I need to change the fastening device that extends through the grip and accommodates the screw. As I've learned (luckily, without bunging up the threads), you can't just unscrew those 'lugs.' Some special kind of tool/technique must be required.

Is this something I can do myself, or do I need to part with my pistol for a week or two while a gunsmith fits my small job in?

Si vis Pacem, Para bellum
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • 1KYDSTR
    Did you see the two slots machined into the outer face/surface of the "lug"(I believe this is called a bushing)? These are for a larger bladed screw driver. Just make sure the blade fills the slot completely and keep in mind, you don't want to overtighten the keeper screws and make it impossible to get the bushing out!.

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  • mudge
    What make is your 1911. The "lugs" on my Colt Commander unscrew with a regular screwdriver. I think there is a special tool but I didn't need it. I also put a tiny dab of Loc-tite on mine. Be careful how far in you screw them. Too far and you'll be into the mag. slot. Not good.[:P]

    Mudge the shade tree smith

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  • perry shooter
    Hello the bushing that goes in a 1911 frame screw in and then they are STAKED to keep them from coming out when you take off the grip screws. I don't know what kind of grips you are tring to install bur even Target grips still use standard grip screws if your grip screw bushings are coming out of the frame when you try to remove grips you have a problem as they were not staked correctly quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN"
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  • rufe-snow
    Brownells www.brownells.com has special thin grips/stocks and bushings and screws for them, made by various manufacturers, in the Brownells Catalog.

    Here is some of part numbers.

    080-000-074

    080-000-075

    052-000-060


    Generally I use a big square shanked screwdriver, ( crescent wrench for torque ) with it's tip ground to fit the bushings to remove them, epoxy the replacement bushings in place.



    luger_4.jpg
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  • Hangfire
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow



    Generally I use a big square shanked screwdriver, ( crescent wrench for torque ) with it's tip ground to fit the bushings to remove them, epoxy the replacement bushings in place.



    luger_4.jpg



    Loc-tite Blue works as well....

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • tomh.
    Brownells also has the actual tool to remove these bushings. It has a socket that fits over the bushing with the slot (like a big screwdriver) in the center. You can get it for their magna-tip drivers.
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  • jsergovic
    I ripped my bushings to trash, three of four. The slots provided for a screwdriver just didn't work. The bushings were installed more tightly that the alloy could handle while un-screwing.

    I had to use CHANNELLOCKr pliers remove the factory-installed bushings.

    I then installed the bushings that came with my McCormick slim grips. The mutilated Colt bushings (I had to use CHANNELLOCKr pliers to get them out) were returned to Colt.

    Colt immediately posted to me four new factory bushings, should I choose to re-install the factory grips (handy parts, should I sell the gun sans my aftermarket thin smooth wood grips).

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  • Pearyw
    I put thin grips on one of my 1911's by shorting the bushings with a file. That way, I didn't have to remove them. I also had to shorten the screws so they wouldn't extend thru and hit the magazine.
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  • dbrigham
    Thanks, all ... I ordered the tool from Brownwell's. The pistol is a Kimber Ultra CD and I really don't want to chance bunging up the threads.

    Si vis Pacem, Para bellum
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