A fan of wood/steel classics, I bought an economy priced set ("KSD" brand) of wood grips for my P220 Carry. When they are installed and the four grip screws are tightened about a quarter of the way, the magazine cannot be inserted or withdrawn. It's obvious that the screws are interfering. I have never used washers, rubber gaskets or other spacers on the original Sig grips. Before I give up and return this pretty wood set, has anyone had a similar experience? Given the .45 recoil, I cannot use this pistol unless the grip screws are adequately tightened. Advice?

Samps,

You should use washers. They are, unfortunately, about $5 - 8 for a set.

These are what you need. You should be able to find them much cheaper than that. *That is not my auction, just showing you what you need.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30421...c:g:4T8AAOSwIytgTDe4

I've also had luck with the cheap rubber o rings from Home Depot that are in the bathroom aisle.

Similar to this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DA...-Kit-34443/100135126

I use the o-rings with the KSD grips. They seem to hold the grips well without squeezing the soft wood which can lead to loose or damaged grips.

However, those grips will never get tightened down like g10 without damaging the wood.

I've had G10 grips on this P220, for years. I've had no need for washers or O-rings. The original Sig plastic panels are in the house, somewhere. I don't remember if the factory grips included washers? I'm wondering if Hogue and Nil wood replacements would also need washers?

You asked for advice and I gave you advice. Do with the advice as you will.

Another source for washers at $3.95 per: http://www.topgunsupply.com/si...-p225-p232-p245.html

quote:

I don't remember if the factory grips included washers?

They should have. They were intended to work with the washers.

quote:

I'm wondering if Hogue and Nil wood replacements would also need washers?

No on the Hogues, although they do (or at least have in the past) recommended the blue Loctite. Some have balked at that in the past due to the relatively thin portion of the frame threaded for those screws.

I don't believe so on the Nils, and don't remember any recommendations for Loctite.

Is just sanding down the screws to take some length off of them, a plausible option? I know that from time to time, I have had to make some adjustments to grips screws that were packaged with new panels.
Just one Mann's thoughts.
LaMont in AZ

I had some of the hogue checkered hardwood for my old W German p220 and needed the o-rings to avoid contact with the mag and protect the grip, YMMV. O-rings are cheap and at nearly every hardware store.

I’ve seen people file down the screws, just make sure you clean up the threads so they don’t damage the gun.

Sig sold shorter grip screws. I don't know if they still do.

I've made standoff rings before using stainless wire and the screw itself, which serve like lock washers. screw length can also be reduced.

Crappy wood grips piss me off. They cannot get the screw shoulder depth correct so you play modifying grip screw length. Go to far and you risk stripping the frame. When you finally get every screw length correct and all is well you decide to pull the grips off and clean/service the gun and they have to go back in the same hole they were fitted for or they are to long or even worse to short.

I learned long ago to stick with factory grips or Hogue grips that are spec out correctly and no grip screw BS.

I had that problem. Some #10 split lock washers took care of it. A pack of 30 are $1.28 at Home Depot. Add some blue threadlocker if you want extra security.

If the link below doesn't work for you, go to HD's website and search for SKU 529705.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...Pack-20211/202704575

I've now ordered a set of washers and screws from Sig (ten bucks plus ten bucks postage, plus tax. About $22!). I hesitate to shorten my screws since I'm likely to swap the grips sometime, causing a future fit problem. The O-rings are cheap. Thanks for the size info, iron chef. I'll give them a try until the washers, arrive.
Next time, I'll shell out extra for Hogues.
Merry Christmas, remsig!

KSD grips are absolute crap. They fool you with good look, but they are out spec shit. Personal experience.

12131: I agree about the KSD grips. I just located my original P220 grip washers (after ordering a new set from Sig). The grip screw holes on the KSD panels are not relieved wide enough for the washers to drop into place. The diameter is too small. In other words, there is no way to squeeze the factory washers into place ahead of the screws! I'm not going to try the O-rings. I'm shipping these KSD panels back for refund.

quote:

Originally posted by Samps:
12131: I agree about the KSD grips. I just located my original P220 grip washers (after ordering a new set from Sig). The grip screw holes on the KSD panels are not relieved wide enough for the washers to drop into place. The diameter is too small. In other words, there is no way to squeeze the factory washers into place ahead of the screws! I'm not going to try the O-rings. I'm shipping these KSD panels back for refund.

If you don’t want to try the o-rings, I’d stay away from the Hogue hardwood grips too. In my experience, they are only marginally better than the ksd grips and still needed o-rinhs over the factory washers. You may get lucky though.

Take a look at Nill if you want to try some more wood options.

I think I'll stick with the G10s. I don't carry the 220 much. The wood was for vanity. Functionality is what matters. I used rubber O-rings, once, on a 229. I was forever retightening the grip screws because they never seemed snug over the rubber rings. It was in my head, more than anything.
Thanks everyone for great support!

quote:

Originally posted by Samps:
12131: I agree about the KSD grips. I just located my original P220 grip washers (after ordering a new set from Sig). The grip screw holes on the KSD panels are not relieved wide enough for the washers to drop into place. The diameter is too small. In other words, there is no way to squeeze the factory washers into place ahead of the screws! I'm not going to try the O-rings. I'm shipping these KSD panels back for refund.

It's unbelievable that these a**holes still pull this kind of stunt. They have done this for years, holes not big enough for not just washers but for the screws themselves. Several years ago, I was fooled by the good look and bought 4 sets (2 each for the P228 and the P226X5) from them on fleabay. All of them were with the screw slots too small.

Amazing.
Buyer beware.