Is there any "official" spec. on How much to torque the grip screws on a SIG?
I've never had problems with them, and have always just "snugged" them up, but now that I have a Midway "Wheeler" brand torque screwdriver I can be more precise.
Originally posted by clayshooter: It is supposed to be first resistance plus 1/4 turn.
Be aware that with the red Loctite on screw threads, the first resistance can be a false positive and you may have to push through the first resistance a bit. It depends on where the Loctite is on the threads...
Originally posted by granite: Thanks. I think the red stuff on screws in not red loctite (which has to be applied wet and sets like glue), but a product called "Vibra-tite".
Vibra-tite is supposedly used on turret bolts in the Abrams tank. The advantage is that the screw can be reused without reapplying it.
You could be right. I will check with them and find out what it is. I have used Blue Loctite in much the same way, by letting it dry first and then putting the screw into the screw hole.
Then why would SIG put it on the their factory supplied screws? Not all of their screws have it, just some. The P229 .357SIG/.40S&W had it, but their P226 9mm (old slide/frame) did not.
Originally posted by Txs: I give up. Just passing on what's taught in their armorer's training.
Personally, I've never found a need for it if they're properly tightened in the first place.
No need to give up. We are just sharing what we have learned. I have also been at the SIG armorers training in Epping, NH. I have seen the screws loosen, a couple times, over the years. I guess maybe we should email Adam P. and see if he knows why they are putting material on SOME the grip screws.
I meant I give up as to why they put junk on the threads of some guns and not others, but at the same time tell their armorers not to use any sort of thread lock stuff.
Originally posted by Txs: That didn't come out quite as I intended.
Not a problem. One of the problems that Adam and the rest of the trainers have, is they always do not have the SIG factory changes before we do. They are told to say certain things which they repeat. I know when I last took the class, that we had them stumped and they went to the factory floor guys to get a couple answers.
Originally posted by budam: I have seen the screws loosen, a couple times, over the years.
I've yet to see one come in this way for it's annual inspection if no one's monkeyed with them since me or one of my fellow armorer's tightened them properly during the last inspection.
When I do see loose grip screws they also often have a burred slot. Funny how that works.
Originally posted by budam: Then why would SIG put it on the their factory supplied screws? Not all of their screws have it, just some. The P229 .357SIG/.40S&W had it, but their P226 9mm (old slide/frame) did not.
mark
That's because the steel used in those 229-.40/.357 Torx grip screws is a harder steel. Also, the mag well walls are thinner in the 229-.40/.357 than in say, the 229-9mm or 228. The combination of the thinner mag well walls leads to less threads to be engaged by the screw. When the screw is harder to begin with, there is now more risk of stripping out the frame of a 229-.40 than there is in a 226 or a 228/229-9mm. Supposedly, they use a little thread additive so as to prevent having to risk stripping out the thinner frame with the harder screws (bad combo).
Posts: 4710 | Location: NH | Registered: May 20, 2004
