stripped out grip screw update

[Doug B]

Use JB weld or epoxy to "glue" a helicoils into the frame.

Or, you could install a large helicoils (3/8) first, then another helicoil inside the first to get down to the size you need. Or, open up the hole in the grip for a 3/8 screw.

Don't send back to S&W for repair. If your 'smith can't fix this, find a new one.

 

[photoracer]

Why are you all removing the grip so much? You should not be touching it unless you are replacing the grip. If you are removing this to do any cleaning you are doing too much. Canned air is more than sufficient to clean the area of the trigger. You should not be taking that out either. Only thing you should be taking out for cleaning is the bolt assembly and charging handle, nothing else.

 

[BP_Z28]

I removed mine for paint, and installing different grips when they came in. I still need to paint my grip :/..think I will leave it on untill it really bugs me. Then I could just repair as needed if I strip I guess

 

[Gatillo]

I don't believe a 1/4-28 heli-coil repair would work in this instance. Reason being there is not enough thickness to the frame material to accomodate drilling the receiver and tapping to the diamentions needed for the heli coil itself......You might however be able to use the 10-28 heli-coil diamentions and still have sufficient frame strength. A 10-28,Screw (perhaps stainless) although smaller in diameter, with a proper size washer would certainly have enough tensil strength to hold the grip on properly...there are also other remides to this problem.........best regards Plum

I looked into picking up the 10-28 heli-coil kit today, but the tap did not get enough bite into the frame. I'm gonna go with the 1/4-28 when my local Ace gets one in later this week. There should just be enough polymer to work with.

 

[Gatillo]

Okay, I got my hands on the 1/4-28 heli-coil kit and it worked like a charm! I feel like the little bit more polymer that had to be drilled out will not compromise the integrity of the frame and the new Houge grip feels rock solid, as well as looking much "cleaner" than the Magpul grip that came on my MOE model 15-22.

I'm very pleased that I came across this suggestion before attempting to fill, drill and tap new threads.

 

[spinnerguy]

loose grip screw

Why are you all removing the grip so much? You should not be touching it unless you are replacing the grip. If you are removing this to do any cleaning you are doing too much. Canned air is more than sufficient to clean the area of the trigger. You should not be taking that out either. Only thing you should be taking out for cleaning is the bolt assembly and charging handle, nothing else.

Mine is practically new. Less than 500 rnds. Replaced handle once and now have loose handle...

 

[Majorlk]

Mine is practically new. Less than 500 rnds. Replaced handle once and now have loose handle...

Then you haven't tightened the screw all the way or the screw is too long for the grip you used.

 

[spinnerguy]

I found another idea: Epoxy a stud into the stripped hole then use a lock-nut in the handle?

 

[gdnagle]

Or how about filling the hole with JB weld and drill and tap that. Probably why they make star washers so you don't need to over tighten. Easy does it on polymer no need to torque down to 500 ft/pds. If you tighten by had and it's till lose might want to try adding another washer.

 

[Gatillo]

Okay, I got my hands on the 1/4-28 heli-coil kit and it worked like a charm! I feel like the little bit more polymer that had to be drilled out will not compromise the integrity of the frame and the new Houge grip feels rock solid, as well as looking much "cleaner" than the Magpul grip that came on my MOE model 15-22.

I'm very pleased that I came across this suggestion before attempting to fill, drill and tap new threads.

More Than 8 Months Later And My Repair Is Still Rock Solid.

 

[spinnerguy]

Threaded stud with JB weld!

 

[spinnerguy]

JB Weld fail!

This did not work... Sending to S&W. They said it was the first they heard of this problem?...

 

[gdnagle]

Be prepared for a transfer they will most likely send you a new lower. I think the cliché "it was the first they heard of this problem?" is standard for most problems for most companies.

 

[Blades]

As soon as I got my rifle I went to change grips and mine was stripped. The entire thread wasn't bad it was the last few threads, it was a little loose. When I called for an R A number the guy told me is was not a common problem but it also wasn't an isolated instance. Total turn around was less than two weeks and it's been fine since.

They have a fix, I doubt they send you a new one.