H T

OK, maybe it's just me.... I have a new Gold Cup Trophy and wanted to upgrade to custom grips from the rubber one that comes from the factory. Nothing wrong with the factory, I just wanted to add some ivory grips to personalize it.

COULD NOT get the grip screws out of the stock bushings. Finally resorted to soaking in Kroil and then, when needle nose pliers and screwdriver combo failed to deliver, my vise and screwdriver. Did not do the threads on the bushing any favors, by the way. New ones coming from Brownells very shortly.

What does the Colt factory put in there - LocTite?? Or is it just me, and I'm missing some secret disassembly tip...

dfariswheel

The grip screw bushings coming out with the grip screw has been a problem with all commercial makers.

Colt stakes their bushings, others use various types of Loctite on the bushings, but all of them still come out due to improper installation.

Best option is to either buy a GOOD staking tool to stake the bushings or to use Loctite properly.
To use Loctite, first clean the holes in the frame and the bushings with something like lacquer thinner to thoroughly degrease them.
After drying, put a drop of Loctite RED (permanent) on the threads and use a Brownell's bushing driver to snug them down tight.
After a 24 hour cure, use hot soapy water and a brush to scrub off any excess.

Usually this will prevent bushing back-out permanently.
If you ever need a bushing out, hold a soldering iron on the bushing to degrade the Loctite and use the bushing driver to remove it while still hot.

Bushing driver. This surrounds and supports the bushing:

MAGNA-TIP® 1911 AUTO BUSHING DRIVER™ BITS - Brownells

H T

Great advice - appreciate it and will give it a go.