Grip screws-- screwed?

[goshinkaibushi]

I was detail stripping my 1911 and one of the allen head grip screws rounded out (stripped the allen head) when trying to loosen it :butthead: . What's the best way to get it out?

Thanks,

Justin

[Hunter]

Are you sure you are using the exact size required? Try the next size up and see if it will fit snug because it is hard to strip out an Allen head. If you did an easy out will work.

[SilverState]

There is an article in one of the most recent American Rifleman magazines addressing that issue. You can get a torx bit, tap it in, and using firm pressure downwards, slowly unscrew it. Obviously, the screw will need to be replaced.

[plarkinjr]

Its very easy to get the wrong size allen wrench and round those things out. If nothing else works, you can dremel a slot into the head and use a straight blade screwdriver.
Good Luck!

ETA: a little dab of polishing compound on the tool (be it torx, allen, phillips or straight blade screwdriver) sometimes help it 'grip' the part a little better.

[John]

Dremel to cut a slot? What about the grips?? Since the screw is gone, add a drop of crazy glue in it and stick the closest allen/torx wrench you can find in it. You will throw the bit as well as the screw, but that's a small price to pay.

[plarkinjr]

Dremel to cut a slot? What about the grips??

If the cutting wheel is too big, or you get carried away, it could nick your grips..... hence "if nothing else works". I have had to do this more than a couple times on motorcycle parts (they are notorious for Allen or Torx head fasteners).

[AirCommando]

I bought a bolt extractor set for small allen head and torx head screws at Sears for a stripped torx screw on my Harley. The extractor has a drill bit on one end, you drill a hole (it is self centering), turn it around, screw in the extractor (reverse threads), and you can use your drill or turn it with a small wrench to get it out. I put a some PB Blaster on the screw to loosen it up, and it came right out. This was the only extractor that worked, I use two others to no avail.

AC

[LeeCreekKid]

I had a 1/16" hex screw stripped that way. I used a E-Z Out broke screw extractor. These are available at most hardware stores. The small one worked like a charm, very easy.

[goshinkaibushi]

Thanks for all of the good advice. I am going to buy an easy out for future use... I used my dremel and cut a slot in the screw. I had some Ergo Grips (plastic, textured) on the pistol... did not touch them

Again, thanks for the help. Thanks for a great board.

Justin