1911 Grip Screw Bushing Problem

saiga12shooter

saiga12shooter

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As luck would have it, one of my 1911’s has a grip screw bushing issue. I bought this pistol used and decided to take the grips off to thoroughly clean it. Lo and behold, I notice a grip screw bushing canted in the frame. Of course, its cross-threaded.

The threads look great inside the frame other than the very first, single tiny turn of the threads where the bushing begins to thread in. So my issue is, does anyone have a grip screw bushing tap where I can chase these threads and clean it up? Or even possibly know somewhere local I can take it to get this old girl back right?
 
yard mongrel said:
I've used a screw with the same thread to fix this issue by running it through from the opposing side, but it was on aluminum frame. Might would work on a steel frame.
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Ive tried to get a bushing started from the inside and it just wont start for some reason. The threads look great on the inner side, not sure what the dilemma is.
 
Correct me if Im wrong please, but aren't the threads on a standard 1911 bushing .236-60? Which is ultra fine and unique; not something Im going to find too easily at a hardware store.
 
SergeToll said:
there are special tools for bushings ($$$). could be easier to ask any gunsmith for help
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Know any good gunsmiths? 😀 MAD Customs moved from Lillington to somewhere out of state and he was the only one I really knew in the area.

My Google-foo turned up The Rock Guns out of Fayetteville has gunsmiths on site. Anyone have any dealings with them?
 
@John Travis might know if they thread the frames in a single operation. If they do you could run the tap in from the good side and out through the bad side, cleaning it up.

There are oversized bushings available if you need to drill and tap a new hole.
 
The fitting on the right is the one that is having the problems. Hopefully the pic is clear enough to see the threads, but it is such a minor burr on the beginning edge of the thread. I would hate to have to drill and tap but I realize that may be a possibility.

IMG_9168.jpeg
 
saiga12shooter said:
Know any good gunsmiths? 😀 MAD Customs moved from Lillington to somewhere out of state and he was the only one I really knew in the area.

My Google-foo turned up The Rock Guns out of Fayetteville has gunsmiths on site. Anyone have any dealings with them?
Click to expand...
I've used one in Apex: Young Guns Inc.
 
Got it fixed.

The gunsmith glanced at the gun and promised me I would rip the threads out if I tried to chase them. I can understand that if the threads are in poor shape, but as anyone can see in the pic above, the threads are still there and sharp. He started telling me about a 2-3 week wait and wanting to go ahead and fit all 4 bushing holes with oversize bushings….

After talking with him, I decided to take my chances give it a whirl. I ordered the tap mentioned above. Five minutes after opening the tap, I had the bushing threaded back into its home and seated flush. It literally just needed the first edge of the thread to be sharpened up. I appreciate all the input guys.
 
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