1911 grip bushings

[Soginator]

Need help figuring out how to remove them. Tried to use a screw driver in the grooves like I saw in youtube, but that didn't work. All it did was bend the grooves out of shape. Anyone else got any suggestions?

Springfield 1911 mil-spec. Not sure if that makes a difference on the parts or how to.

[acpbrain]

The bushings are typically staked, not sure of the proper way to remove them, but if you force them out you may have to re-tap the holes & buy new bushings.

I did that once.

[Soginator]

I have new bushings so I'm not worried about that. I'm just trying to get the old broken one out.

[5ZS]

Yea, prob. stalked or loctite or just old and stuck on very well.

Spiral screw extractor will get the job done, just extract it slow.

I would recommend to use the proper tool to install them, and that would be a bushing driver.
I have never stalk nor locktite any of my bushing, non issue for me (yet), hehe.

[Garand1911]

Check for staking marks, on the inside of the frame. If its loctite then heat the part with heat gun. If you phluck up the screw driver slots, then its going to get harder.
You can take a grip screw and screw it down tight into the bushing, then try to remove the screw, which should help unscrew the bushing too. Lots of guys screw down rubber grips too hard onto 1911 bushings, locking the screw and bushing together. So they end up unscrewing the bushing when trying to remove the grip screw.
If you really phluck things up, see a gun smith to drill out the bushing, but not hurt the grip frame threads.

[wl518]

Swapped my factory bushings out for VZ. Best investment ever. I did not have the right tool but luckily was able to get them out wih a very small flathead.

[cheesewabbit]

Usually a allen wrench works fine. I used it to replace grips on both my 9mm and SW 45. The bushings look like stars but upon closer inspection a allen wrench fits in the bottom.

[LateBraking]

I have new bushings so I'm not worried about that. I'm just trying to get the old broken one out.

All four of my factory grip bushings were stuck in there like little motherf*****s and crumbled apart. I ended up using this technique for all four bushings. Worked great. Give it a shot. Just need the proper sized torx bit, a hammer, and preferably a wrench instead of a screwdriver for the bit. Leverage goes a long way, and I used a torx bit that worked on my wrench after I only got half of them out with a screwdriver with torx bit.

Springfield 1911 by any chance? Great 1911s, but the materials used to make their grip screws are so gawdawful. I didn't know it was possible to make metal that weak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdSne42xkcw

[Soginator]

Yea it's a Springfield lol. Such a shame I love the company but this is making me never want to get another Springfield.

[trigger945]

FYI, all grip bushings are soft, not just from SA.

[Chief-7700]

Vice Grips! Brownells has bushings.

[theneko]

OP- I have the tool but I can't tell your location. PM me if in NorCal.

[LateBraking]

FYI, all grip bushings are soft, not just from SA.

I'm guessing this means from factory. The VZ ones I switched to seem much more durable.

Guess I can only tell if I try to remove it someday though.

[Soginator]

I am socal but thanks. I'll just go to home Depot. I'm sure I'll need it in the future.

[davbog44]

If they're staked in, I would go to a gunsmith.

If they're not, heating them, as someone mentioned above, works pretty well.

If you've already somehow mangled the existing bushings, you can probably get them out with vice grips or a pair of channel locks.

Brownells has the bushing tool for both standard size and slim grip bushings. Not expensive and highly recommended for anyone into 1911s.

Remember, you're going to also be installing new bushings, and personally, I wouldn't do it without the bushing tool. It's just too easy to mangle the slots otherwise.