Stripped grip screws

[samr46]

Wanted to replace OEM grips on my beretta 9MM and bought torx wrench set on Amazon. Tool Promptly stripped 2 of 4 screws. Suggestions on best way to remove stripped screws? Also where to buy decent grip screw tool. Many thanks.

 

[Axxe55]

Wanted to replace OEM grips on my beretta 9MM and bought torx wrench set on Amazon. Tool Promptly stripped 2 of 4 screws. Suggestions on best way to remove stripped screws? Also where to buy decent grip screw tool. Many thanks.

pictures would be helpful!

 

[DoubleDuty]

Small screw extractor

 

[red442joe]

Very small Dremel end mill.
Cut a slot, use a straight blade screw driver.

Joe

 

[kenboyles72]

Depending on the recess of the screw head, could cut a slot in the screws and use a flat head screw driver or get a small screw extractor. You got to be careful with some of the grip screws, cause they may not be a common torx size, some are metric torx, My 1911 had metric torx, I went down to the hardware store and replaced them with allen head screws.

 

[jmohme]

In extreme instances, I have take a drop of superglue on the end of the screwdriver and spun the damaged screw out

 

[Gordo]

I have used a Very Sharp punch, then tapped dimple in the screw head, followed by tapping the screw counter-clockwise.
But it has to be sharp, not a normal 60° point, but something down around 10-20°.

 

[zackmars]

Depending on the recess of the screw head, could cut a slot in the screws and use a flat head screw driver or get a small screw extractor. You got to be careful with some of the grip screws, cause they may not be a common torx size, some are metric torx, My 1911 had metric torx, I went down to the hardware store and replaced them with allen head screws.

This is the easiest way. Replace them with standard flat head screws. Torx and allen head grip screws come straight from hell

 

[John Sam Rayburn]

This is the easiest way. Replace them with standard flat head screws. Torx and allen head grip screws come straight from hell

I agree, and do this with everything I refurbish.

Does anyone know Why manufacturers use these odd fasteners ?

What benefit do they provide over Philips ?

 

[zackmars]

I agree, and do this with everything I refurbish.

Does anyone know Why manufacturers use these odd fasteners ?

What benefit do they provide over Philips ?

Well Philips has its own issues, typically grip screws don't need lots of torque, and philips, allen, and torx have less material between the head and the shank.

Flat head screws are easier to clean, and if needed can be removed with say, an undersized bit (up to a point) or something like a pocket knife, shell casing, etc.

 

[baboon]

Not trying yo bust your balls, but if you buggered up grip screw removal perhaps you need a gunsmith.

 

[TexMex247]

Having performed more extractions than I could count as a mechanic... sometimes the best method is to drill the head off using a left handed bit. A torx should pretty well center itself and if you know the thread diameter just use a bit the same width. If you're lucky the drill bites enough to walk it out. If you're not as lucky you take the head completely off which allows grip removal and releases tension from the threads.

 

[jmohme]

Having performed more extractions than I could count as a mechanic... sometimes the best method is to drill the head off using a left handed bit. A torx should pretty well center itself and if you know the thread diameter just use a bit the same width. If you're lucky the drill bites enough to walk it out. If you're not as lucky you take the head completely off which allows grip removal and releases tension from the threads.

Love those left hand drill bits. They have worked great for me many times.
I just can't imagine grip screws being so tight as to cause a problem unless someone used loctite on the threads.

 

[samr46]

Small screw extractor

Thank you.

 

[John Sam Rayburn]

Well Philips has its own issues, typically grip screws don't need lots of torque, and philips, allen, and torx have less material between the head and the shank.

Flat head screws are easier to clean, and if needed can be removed with say, an undersized bit (up to a point) or something like a pocket knife, shell casing, etc.

I did not know that. Thank you.

 

[Gordo]

Not trying yo bust your balls, but if you buggered up grip screw removal perhaps you need a gunsmith.

Or an adjustable torque screwdriver...

 

[TheMailMan]

Love those left hand drill bits. They have worked great for me many times.
I just can't imagine grip screws being so tight as to cause a problem unless someone used loctite on the threads.

Rust and corrosion.

 

[Gordo]

The reason for a stripped hex or Torx screw heads may not be caused by over tightening.
You may want to check how accurate your driver bit is.
A loose fitting, out of spec driver will lead to stripping heads also.

Case in point, I picked up a cheap driver set off chinaBay, just to carry in my range bag.
(funny, it's identical to the wheeler set offered by Larry Putts-field of Midway)
Most of it is either decent stuff, or a size/style that is never used on a firearm, but some of it absolutely sucks, especially the smaller sizes.
Just replaced a 1/16" Allen tip, because it was .003" undersize, and would cam & slip on a snug screw, splitting the set screw.
It measured the same as a 1.5mm tip.
As I come across the undersize ones, I order a replacement Wiha from McMaster-Carr.
The Wiha was tight enough to remove the split set screw, thank God.

 

[jmohme]

Rust and corrosion.

Clean and oil regularly
I have just never had grip screws tight enough to strip.

 

[DoubleDuty]

The reason for a stripped hex or Torx screw heads may not be caused by over tightening.
You may want to check how accurate your driver bit is.
A loose fitting, out of spec driver will lead to stripping heads also.

Case in point, I picked up a cheap driver set off chinaBay, just to carry in my range bag.
(funny, it's identical to the wheeler set offered by Larry Putts-field of Midway)
Most of it is either decent stuff, or a size/style that is never used on a firearm, but some of it absolutely sucks, especially the smaller sizes.
Just replaced a 1/16" Allen tip, because it was .003" undersize, and would cam & slip on a snug screw, splitting the set screw.
It measured the same as a 1.5mm tip.
As I come across the undersize ones, I order a replacement Wiha from McMaster-Carr.
The Wiha was tight enough to remove the split set screw, thank God.

Yep Wiha make excellent bits