Which loctite?

[mrrick]

It used to be there was only one loctite, to my knowledge. Now there are a few.

What color would be recommended for grip screws that loosen.
A couple of VZ grips loosen, and grip screws on my new SAR K2 loosen as well.

I'm thinking Loctite Blue. says:"Metal parts are removable with hand tools for easy disassembly".

 

[blues7]

I like to use the least strength for an application so I don't go nuts if I have to remove screws.

Recently, I've been using purple to good effect. It's less strength but so far has withstood recoil.

Might be worth a try.

 

[Cpo1944]

I use Loctite every day and I only use red and blue. The blue is for most items that will require adjustment and re doing . The red is for permanent things that will have to stay put for a long time. I can loosen screws that were done with red if I heat them first. The blue does not need heat.
Grip screws = use the blue it will hold them and still be able to get them loose when you want to.

 

[arjay]

Another vote for blue.Just use a tiny dot of it.

 

[armorer951]

Here's an application guide......

http://www.loctite.com.au/aue/content_data/311083_7129_Application_Wall_Chart_V10.pdf

 

[sceva]

Clear (or other color) fingernail polish works quite well in a pinch for a low strength locktite. Cheap, and usually available around the house

 

[Rule3]

Blue
but clean the screws (alcohol or clear solvent) to remove any oil or it doesn't work as well

 

[armorer951]

Make sure during the application that you use only the amount necessary and that the material doesn't get into any assemblies nearby.

I once had a gun owner ask me to look at his model 36. He advised he put threadlocker on the thumpiece nut because it was "always coming loose". Well, you know the rest of the story.......he used "a little too much", and the material had wicked down into the bolt recess in the frame and other important places.

 

[SAFireman]

Loctite purple is screw strength....anything more and you can pull the escutcheons from the stocks (strip out the wood or plastic).

 

[kthom]

I also use the purple for small screws with good effect. I normally will use some clear fingernail polish first and it also works well with most things and it's easy to remove the small screws with the polish in place. If the screw doesn't hold, then I use the purple. I will use blue next if necessary. As Big Cholla says, only a small drop, please! All of this works better if you completely degrease the screw and the place where it fastens well and make sure it is dry before applying the stuff. Sometimes, just degreasing things well will let the screw stay in place. Lubrication gets in places we don't expect, especially when it also contains a penetrant! The smaller the screw, the more judicious one needs to be if applying something to hold it in place, unless of course you never, ever expect to need to remove the fastener!!!

 

[nodpete]

I use the blue on all of my air rifles, they are notorious for the screws loosening because of the double recoil.

 

[mrrick]

Thanks for the good information. I think I'll start with the purple, then work my way up if necessary.

 

[DWalt]

Purple has the least locking power and is the most easily removed, but it is still normally adequate for gun screw uses.

 

[drummer007]

The purple (#222) is what I now use for gun screws. I used to use the blue (#243), but had difficulty when I needed to remove some action screws, so I switched to the weaker #222. It has not failed me yet after firing hundreds of rounds in various weapons.

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

I NEVER USE LOCTITE ON GRIP SCREWS. FOR YOUR APPLICATION TRY A SMALL O RING THAT FITS ON THE SCREW. BEEN DOING THAT FOR 30 YEARS. JP

 

[mrrick]

I NEVER USE LOCTITE ON GRIP SCREWS. FOR YOUR APPLICATION TRY A SMALL O RING THAT FITS ON THE SCREW. BEEN DOING THAT FOR 30 YEARS. JP

Thanks, unique suggestion.

 

[AzShooter]

I've always used Blue Loctite and have been very satisfied. I recently switched to Purple because it's easy to adjust your screws after using it. You don't need a lot of effort to turn the screws.

 

[patrickd]

whatever you do STAY AWAY from the red stuff on your gun. Use that and you'll NEVER get those screws out again. I once saw a guy go into a shop to get his new scope mounted. While removing the old scope they couldn't get the ring screws out. Turns out he used red loctite on them and the smith had to drill out the screws. Then he sold the guy $40 worth of new Leopold rings. If you don't have any loctite I have used my wife's nail polish. A very little bit on the threads will keep them in place too.

 

[AzShooter]

You don't need to drill out when using Red Loctite, you just need heat. I've used a heat gun. You can easily tell when the Loctite has melted and then just remove the screws.

 

[popplecop]

Years ago when I went through S&W Armorers School for revolvers at the factory we were told to use clear fingernail polish. Have used it for years and works well, even use it for the screws on my rifle scope bases.