How to Change 1911 Grip Bushings

Grip bushings are used to hold the screws which secure the grips to 1911 style pistols.

The 1911 automatic pistol was first designed by John Moses Browning and remains, even today, one of the most commonly found and widely copied pistol designs. Browning's revolutionary pistol design has remained largely unchanged since it was first introduced. Because of this, many older pistols require significant maintenance and repair. From time to time, the bushings which hold the grip screws may become stripped out and need to be replaced. These bushings are securely staked into place, and removal can be difficult, though it's not impossible.

Things You'll Need

• Handheld propane torch
• Standard screwdriver set
• Bench vise
• Cordless drill
• Easy Out bolt and screw removing bit
• Bushing staker
• Bushing driver
• Hammer
• Anvil

Instructions

Remove The Existing Bushings

1. Remove the screws holding the grip panels in place using a standard screwdriver.

2. Secure the pistol frame in a bench vise and heat up the grip bushings and surrounding metal using a hand held propane torch. Take care not to overheat the metal: it should not be red hot or glowing.

3. Tap an Easy Out bit into the hot bushing quickly before it can cool. Easy out bits are essentially a very coarse left hand threaded screw. The left hand threads cause the Easy Out to more tightly engage the hole in the bushing while it is rotated counter clockwise. To ensure that the threads of the Easy Out have a good grip, lightly tap the bit 1/8-1/4 inch into the bushing and torque it counterclockwise to ensure that a solid purchase has been achieved.

4. Chuck your cordless drill onto the easy out and remove the bushing by using the drill to turn the bit (and bushing) counterclockwise.

Install The New Bushings

1. Allow the frame to completely cool before installing the new bushings.

2. Remove the Easy Out bit from your cordless drill and chuck a bushing driver into place.

3. Thread the new bushing into the frame by hand for the first few threads to ensure it is properly set and not cross threaded.

4. Screw the new bushings into place clockwise using the bushing driver.

5. Remove the frame from the bench vise and support it with an anvil, then stake the bushing into place with a 1911 bushing stake. Staking tools are similar hardened steel punches and are struck with a hammer to partially swage two pieces of metal together. To properly stake the bushing you will need to carefully align your bushing stake along the seam between the bushing and frame and strike the blunt end solidly with a hammer, forming a divot on both the bushing and frame.

References

• "The U.S. M1911/M1911A1 Pistols and Commercial M1911 Type Pistols: A Shop Manual"; Jerry Kuhnhausen; 1997;