1911 grip bushing size?

[marlin60]

If I were to tap out a Norc for 1911 standard grips/bushing size, can anyone tell me what size TAP I need? Is it 236"-60 (or is this oversize)?

Norc's have smaller diamter and metric grip bushing threads, and I want to go factory 'colt' to open up the choices/options. Oversize would just put me back in the same boat (albeit a bigger one).

Thanks.

[toolman]

According to the blueprints (available here on the forum) .236"-60 is the standard 1911 grip screw bushing tap size.

[Hawkmoon]

You won't find the tap for the grip bushings at your friendly, local Ace hardware store. The only place I have seen it is Brownells.

[niemi24s]

Don't know what thread spec the Norinco frames are tapped for, but make sure the major diameter of the Norinco threads is the same size (or less) than the minor diameter of the new threads.

Otherwise, the tap drill for the new threads will not remove all of the old threads and the strength of the connection will suffer. There's only about 6 threads in the grip bushing hole on a M1911A1.

Just tossed that out as something to consider.

[Pappy]

You won't find the tap for the grip bushings at your friendly, local Ace hardware store. The only place I have seen it is Brownells.

Midway has O/S Svensen brand for about $25. Also the standard size...

Here (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=811185&t=11082005)

[sevenL4]

Why not drill the holes out to accept a standard bushing and then use JB Weld, loctite or Gorilla Glue to hold them in place? If you chamfer the inside of the bushing holes, it will help the glue hold the bushing in place kind of like chamfering when staking bushings.

[toolman]

It's rather important to be able to remove the grip screw bushings in the future just in case the bushing itself needs to be replaced. For instance if someone in the future should strip out the internal threads within the bushing.

Blue Loctite would be ok but red Loctite, JB Weld, Gorilla Glue, etc. would render the grip screw bushings difficult if not impossible to remove in the future without damaging the frame.

If the major diameter of the metric threads is to large to allow rethreading to accept a standard bushing, you could install an oversize bushing, properly staked with perhaps a little blue Loctite added for good measure.

[sevenL4]

The same drill bit that would be used to open the Norinco frame for standard bushings would be employed to remove the standard bushing if its internal threads were trashed. The solution I offered is inexpensive, doesn't require specialty tools and it works. It probably does not offer protection from those who would install grip screws with a lug wrench.

[niemi24s]

The solution I offered is inexpensive . . And that's certainly a genuine consideration. Last time I checked the price of the standard and oversize bushing taps they were . . . well, whatever they were I almost cried! :)

Cheers

[Rick McC.]

I don't think chamfering the hole in the frame is a good idea; the material is pretty thin and there aren't that many threads in it to begin with.

I've fixed problem ones (just got loose, no thread damage) by starting the bushing into the frame, then applying blue Loctite to the threads with the tip if a toothpick and tightening the bushing into place. They'e all still tight.

Rick

[hgc]

it has to be heated above 400 degrees ei.the tip of a soldering iron or a torch.