[spittinfire]

Originally Posted by canebrake

JD, does NH stake the bushings?

Heres what you need;

1. Vice grips, set light first and if that spins go heavy and break the bushing into pices. Clean up the mess and check the threads.
2. If threads are questionable (higher probality if staked), run a tap to clean them up. DO NOT use the new bushings to clean the threads! They will become zen with the receiver.
3. Do yourself a favor and get what us 1911 owners use to frequently change out bushings; the bushing driver and a small tube of blue thread-loc.

Attachment 6887

This tool is a MUST for slim/thin bushings! Don't forget to use slim/thin screws or you will contact the mag!

I got my bushing driver from Alan Smith @ SMITH & ALEXANDER, INC (800)722-1911

Explain this staked bushing to me....Is it not just a double threaded bushing?

[toolman]

Originally Posted by spittinfire

Explain this staked bushing to me....Is it not just a double threaded bushing?

What that means is, after the bushing is tightened, a staking tool (similar to a punch) is used to deform the metal in a few spots around the bushing to prevent the bushing from coming loose. The bushing itself is the same, it's just mechanically locked in place after installation.

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by spittinfire

Explain this staked bushing to me....Is it not just a double threaded bushing?

Some manufactures’ will stake the bushings after installation. They simply swedge the inside of the bushing (from the mag void side) after it is seated making it near impossible to back out on its own. This is a similar process to the staking of the plunger tube.

With the development of high performance anaerobic adhesives this process is losing favor to the much simpler application of thread locker.

A quick visual check will let you know if your bushings are swedged. Remove the stocks and look at the back side of the bushing. If the inside of the bushing looks flared or has been tapped with a Philips screwdriver, you have staked bushings. This inspection, should it not provide bushing staked info, will allow you to identify the color of the thread-lock used.

[lonyaeger]

I don't believe they were staked because I got three of them out and, upon looking at the last one from the rear, I can see no evidence of it being staked as you guys described.

[spittinfire]

Originally Posted by canebrake

Some manufactures’ will stake the bushings after installation. They simply swedge the inside of the bushing (from the mag void side) after it is seated making it near impossible to back out on its own. This is a similar process to the staking of the plunger tube.

With the development of high performance anaerobic adhesives this process is losing favor to the much simpler application of thread locker.

A quick visual check will let you know if your bushings are swedged. Remove the stocks and look at the back side of the bushing. If the inside of the bushing looks flared or has been tapped with a Philips screwdriver, you have staked bushings. This inspection, should it not provide bushing staked info, will allow you to identify the color of the thread-lock used.

OK, that makes sense. They did that in some automotive applications years ago and they SUCKED. They always broke free in a place where it was impossible to get. I'm not a fan.

[lonyaeger]

It's almost like the manufacturer is trying to make their grips proprietary. "You're not gonna be changing out OUR bushings!"

[spittinfire]

Why do you need to change the bushings? Do different grips us different size bushings? Teach me guys, I've had my Kimber for a couple months.....

[lonyaeger]

Originally Posted by spittinfire

Why do you need to change the bushings? Do different grips us different size bushings? Teach me guys, I've had my Kimber for a couple months.....

When going to a slim panel like I am, you need to change out the bushings with ones that are made for slims. Otherwise, the bushing/screw could protrude from the top surface of the grip or, worse yet, protrude into the mag on the inside. No bueno.

[spittinfire]

Gotcha...The height of the grip is the issue which requires the bushing change. Thanks!

[lonyaeger]

So I bought a BIGGER soldering iron, 2 sets of badass vice-grips with new sharp pointy teeth (Monty Python reference, Cane), and STILL couldn't budge the little bugger.

So I sent it off to the nice people at Nighthawk (and they WERE nice). The guy said they should be able to get it back to me within one day after receiving it. He said that, normally, they would only use blue loctite and couldn't explain why one of their people would use red....but that they would make it right for me.

So far, I'm impressed with Nighthawk. I will keep you posted on how my experience with them turns out.