I need some grip advice please

[flhr95]

I made a rookie mistake and am in need of some well-seasoned advice.
I made a fair deal on a model 27-2 4" in Nickle, once I got it on the bench I saw the grip screw didn't quite look right and I should have caught it during the transaction. So I have tried gently to back out the screw (no luck), being a little more aggressive I can see the escutcheon start to wiggle. I really don't want to ruin these grips if possible and if by chance that happens is there a shop to send these old grips to be repaired. Thanks in advance.

 

[Laketime]

Try tightening the screw back in then press firmly on the escutcheon while you try and loosen it.

 

[flhr95]

I really think it is the wrong screw and they have crossthreaded it.

 

[Laketime]

looks like the right screwhead, They might have over torqued it at some point loosing the escutcheon. which will have to be re seated with some form of thin super glue .If it is the wrong screw and it has been stripped and just the screw is spinning you still have to get it out to replace it.

 

[weatherby]

I'm pretty well seasoned.

Pretty salty to be honest.

Don't sweat it too much.
Get the screw out and throw in a new escutcheon if needed and the right screw.

 

[lihpster]

Contact Curt Harlow, 44magget on this forum, and ask his advice. He is also who I would choose to repair the grips, if that is necessary.

 

[s&wchad]

I've run into that problem before. I had luck with the following techniques:

Try placing a wood pencil in a vice with the eraser up. You may have to reduce the diameter of the eraser. Position the threaded escutcheon over the eraser, firmly press down on the grips and the screwdriver and try backing out the screw.

If that doesn't work, insert 3 or 4 thin sewing needles between the escutcheon and the wood. Equally space them apart. The outside of the threaded escutcheon has groves to bite into the wood and the needles should hold it in place.

 

[chief38]

Looks to me as though someone punched an impression (pic. 4 - punch mark) in the screw base in an attempt to sort of expand it and keep it from coming out. This procedure is known as staking and will make the screw difficult to pass through the threads as it has expanded.

As suggested above, you can try a pencil eraser to grip the escutcheon and if that does not work then try holding the escutcheon with a thin pointed object such as a metal scribe or a very sharp machinists compass on its knurled outer side. If that fails as well, then a Dremel with a dental style burr or small drill bit can be used to disintegrate the end of the steel screw inside the escutcheon. Use the punch hole mark as a drill guide. You will need to be extremely careful so the Dremel does not slip and cut into your wood grips. You can use a steel washer held over the escutcheon to "shield" the Dremel burr from walking and doing just that. The steel washer can also be held by a pair of Vise Grips (by an assistant) for more stability.

This whole procedure sounds more complicated than it really is but should work fine.

 

[chief38]

BTW...... This is this is the first time I have seen or heard of someone staking a grip screw! WHY - I don't understand! Grip screws don't usually loosen up if properly tightened and I always remove grips during cleaning - solvents don't help wood grips!

 

[flhr95]

Thanks to all for these great tips, I am going to attempt during this next week. I will keep you posted if I need to send them off.

 

[DETROIT]

Have you tried heat? Get a blow dryer and heat the wood surrounding the sleeve. This should cause the wood to swell and would be the least intrusive.

If heat don't work by itself. I would put the barrel in a heavily padded vice with the least amount of force needed to steady the gun. Then use an automotive pick tool to hold the sleeve in place. It should not take much force at all.

 

[flhr95]

Thanks to all, grips are on the way to 44magget.

 

[glider1]

Use a burr and grind the head off the screw, then you can take the grips off and see what you have. Those grips can be replaced if you do mess them up, you should be able to pick some up at a gun show for a hundred or so but just don't get in a hurry and you should be fine.

 

[brucev]

Had the same thing with a K-frame. Used a sharp pointed knife to hold the brass bit still so that the screw could be removed. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[flhr95]

Received my grips back today from Curt (44magget), perfect in every way. Thanks for all the advice.