stripped out grip screw. what to do?
- Thread starter zoli28
- Start date
tacticool22
US Veteran
Sounds like it was shipped stripped.
Same here, a little wobbly on the grip, tightened it up a bit, kept spinning
Yeah, old thread, so what the problem still exists. I'm extremely disappointed in Smith and Wesson. I bought a MP 15 22 several months ago. I've shot about 100 rounds through it, treated it like glass and never touched the grip screw. Took it out the other day to have a walk through the woods and noticed the grip getting wiggly. I still haven't touched the screw but this is completely unacceptable if this thing is stripping out. I cannot for the life of me understand why Smith and Wesson didn't just make the grip part of the receiver like the buffer tube? It would have made for a rock solid gun as the rest of the firearm seems great. Heck even the HK 91 has the grip integrated into the polymer lower and that is a 308 caliber battle rifle.
This massive design flaw seems to be the lynch pin of the platform. What a completely stupid design. I guess they wanted people to be able to change the grip as a selling point but on a gun like this, what is the point?
I'm wondering if drilling out the screw hole, straight through to the trigger compartment and using a washer and bolt that will go all the way through is the answer. The trigger components sit very low inside the receiver so they would have to be removed, then mill out a section of the trigger compartment floor at the same angle as the grip bolt hole. Then get a bolt that runs straight through with a washer on both ends and a nylon nut. Obviously that would void the warranty, but its looking like that would be best way to permenantly fix this gross defect. The job would have to be done right of course. Not sure if I'm going to risk it or just ask S&W for a full refund of this garbage. Like I said, love the gun overall, but this has go to be one of the biggest, most avoidable and stupidest oversights I've seen in a long time.
You just can't get things made worth a hoot anymore.
This massive design flaw seems to be the lynch pin of the platform. What a completely stupid design. I guess they wanted people to be able to change the grip as a selling point but on a gun like this, what is the point?
I'm wondering if drilling out the screw hole, straight through to the trigger compartment and using a washer and bolt that will go all the way through is the answer. The trigger components sit very low inside the receiver so they would have to be removed, then mill out a section of the trigger compartment floor at the same angle as the grip bolt hole. Then get a bolt that runs straight through with a washer on both ends and a nylon nut. Obviously that would void the warranty, but its looking like that would be best way to permenantly fix this gross defect. The job would have to be done right of course. Not sure if I'm going to risk it or just ask S&W for a full refund of this garbage. Like I said, love the gun overall, but this has go to be one of the biggest, most avoidable and stupidest oversights I've seen in a long time.
You just can't get things made worth a hoot anymore.
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tomcatt51
Member
Think it might be a good idea to try tightening the grip screw to see if there really is a problem BEFORE going on a rant?
Jayspec
Member
Glad someone else posted this. As I had exactly the same problem after having the gun a few months my grip was wobbly so I tried to tighten it up only for it to just spin in the hole. I returned it to the shop I bought it from. Got it back last Saturday seems rock solid now. Don't know excatly what they have done but it seems good at the moment. When I found out that this bolt goes straight into polymer I thought bloody hell what a **** design. I still love the gun and will keep it at the moment but after having to put a volsquarten extractor in to stop my empty cases keep getting crushed by the returning bolt and now this I'm loosing confidence in it fast. I wanted to add a USA made gun to my collection for a few years now and thought I had found the perfect one. Now I'm not so sure. Knew I should have just added a 5th German made one !
Jayspec
Member
And no I didn't over tourque the screw. It was probably cross threaded at the factory
Put some bedding epoxy in the hole ( a very very little goes a long way for this) Grease up the screw or if you have some bedding release agent around use that and screw it in. Let sit overnight and take the screw out. The epoxy is now your new threads. I did this with an old 1911 and it has lasted over 20 years now.
jsha22lr
Member
When I stripped out my first M&P 15-22 (my first 22 rifle too) I was pretty bummed out. Now that I have a new rifle and my dad has one, I've thought about doing the same thing you have done. I can understand why they did it, but it really is the weakest link in the lower receiver. What compound did you use? I wonder if JB weld would be a suitable substitute for actual bedding compounds.
Consider the price you paid to determine if it's worth sending back to Smith'. When you call Smith they typically will send you a prepaid FedEx download and 'may' charge you on the return. I agree with others that since you managed to strip that out, then perhaps you should let the factory sort it out. By the way, I realize you probably didn't over torque it, but likely got the angle wrong. Inserting the screw down through the grip and into the receiver it's a tad tricky.
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tacticool22
US Veteran
The screw does not need to be that tight to keep the grip in place.
1) send it back to S&W for them to repair it
2) install a helicoil
3) install a keensert, threadsert or other thread insert
4) use epoxy (last resort)
1) send it back to S&W for them to repair it
2) install a helicoil
3) install a keensert, threadsert or other thread insert
4) use epoxy (last resort)
I used Brownell's glass bedding compound. If you try this method I suggest 2-3 days cure time for max strength. If this is for the pistol grip in an AR, maybe you might be better off with a timesert or helicoil as the pistol grip takes a lot more abuse than the grip screws on my 1911. If you need the rifle and don't want to wait two months for S&W I'd look to a local gunsmith. They could fix yours in a day or less for about $50.00 Smith & Wesson fixing it will be weeks or months waiting to get it back.
tomcatt51
Member
If the threads are stripped I'd install a helicoil. Inserts are the next step if you manage (unlikely) to rip out the helicoil.
First step should be the least and that is a helicoil, which is also usually the best.
First step should be the least and that is a helicoil, which is also usually the best.
And void your warranty?
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A 7 1/2 year old thread from a member who has been absent for 5 years, and the last reply over 3 years ago...next topic please. 
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