Do you prefer slotted or hex screws for your grips? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you prefer slotted or hex screws for your grips? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:13:43 PM EDT

After having some grip screws come loose, I'm beginning to think that slotted screws are better for ease of finding a tool if I'm not at home, but does the hex screw have any benefit that I'm missing?

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:26:09 PM EDT

[#1]

Slotted, hands-down. Properly sized hex screwdrivers are seriously hard to find, and limited in their applications.

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:27:32 PM EDT

[#2]

im all for slotted just for the reasons you stated one can use most anything to tighten.

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:28:18 PM EDT

[#3]

Neither.

I prefer Torx.

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:28:55 PM EDT

[#4]

Hex or torx ... no question slot or Phillips get roughed up or chewed up way to easy.

Posted: 7/7/2017 6:50:39 PM EDT

[#5]

Tactical gun- hex or torx
BBQ gun- slotted polished brass
Everything else- slotted

Posted: 7/7/2017 8:47:59 PM EDT

[#6]

Mainly slotted but I have a few with hex screws. Depends on the grips.

Posted: 7/7/2017 8:59:51 PM EDT

[#7]

Slotted. The chances are not great that I will have a torx or hex key around when I may need to take the grips off, but I will always have a screwdriver nearby.

Posted: 7/7/2017 9:05:49 PM EDT

[#8]

Can you guys who said torx or hex explain why? In terms of the slotted screws getting torn up too easily, I guess that's a reason but is there more?

Posted: 7/7/2017 9:08:09 PM EDT

[#9]

Slotted by a long shot

Posted: 7/7/2017 9:21:26 PM EDT

[#10]

For 1911's the original slot screws could be loosened or tightened with a cartridge rim or in detail disassembly one of the arms of the sear spring

Posted: 7/7/2017 9:54:40 PM EDT

[#11]

Prefer slots that are the same size as the rim on the cartridge. 1911 style.

Posted: 7/7/2017 10:12:24 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can you guys who said torx or hex explain why? In terms of the slotted screws getting torn up too easily, I guess that's a reason but is there more?

View Quote

I just do not like slotted screws call it a sour taste in my mouth in the past with them. I rarely take screws off or grip panels off. Plus hex torx have less chance of getting fucked.

Posted: 7/7/2017 11:23:41 PM EDT

[#13]

I prefer hex, as slotted gets buggered easily. And if a screw is tricky, I feel the hex gives me better torque. However, I've destroyed some torx bits before, not on guns, so I don't like them much.

Posted: 7/7/2017 11:43:59 PM EDT

[#14]

On the Rohrbaugh 9mm they use Hex screws to hold the grip panels, they are so tiny that it uses IIRC a .050 hex key to remove them.

When you have a hex screw that's tight and that small there's a damn good chance you are going to round the hex socket, with a Torx you don't have that concern.

Posted: 7/7/2017 11:56:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Although I voted hex (usually replace the slotted ones)

For me it hinges on the application of said handgun

Just how "SHTF" does your sidearm need to be ?

That is the factor to determine

Posted: 7/8/2017 12:05:56 AM EDT

[#16]

I generally prefer slotted for aesthetic reasons, but hex is more practical.

Posted: 7/8/2017 9:05:52 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
For 1911's the original slot screws could be loosened or tightened with a cartridge rim or in detail disassembly one of the arms of the sear spring

View Quote

I thought it was the lip of the magazine. Either way I just use a screw driver

Posted: 7/8/2017 9:18:39 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Neither.

I prefer Torx.

View Quote

+1

Posted: 7/8/2017 9:31:47 AM EDT

[#19]

I saw an article where pics of sectioned grip screws revealed way more metal left intact with slotted vs hex. They said slotted was stronger, so I vote slotted.

Posted: 7/8/2017 9:40:59 AM EDT

[#20]

meh.

Whatever the pistol comes with from the factory.

There are far more important things to obsess over than grip screws.

Posted: 7/8/2017 9:43:08 AM EDT

[#21]

I said hex, but Torx would be preferred.

Torx screws have more surface area contact between driver and screw and are less likely to get rounded edges or have the head get stripped.

IMHO all screws should be Torx. I hate dealing with 4 types of screw heads. It's stupid that we haven't standardized.

Posted: 7/8/2017 10:05:37 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
I generally prefer slotted for aesthetic reasons, but hex is more practical.

View Quote

Same. An old school gun looks better with original slotted grip
Screws. I have good brownells and Forster gun screw drivers so buggery is a near non issue.

For a a modern styled gun that isn't plastic the hex or torx will be fine.

Posted: 7/8/2017 10:52:48 AM EDT

[#23]

I've tried both hex and slotted and the only ones that caused problems were the hex. Broke one off on a Sig P226. Maybe it was a soft screw and maybe I over torqued it. I don't know but suspect it was some of each. I never had that issue with slotted screws.

The trick to not marring the slots is to use the proper sized hollow ground screwdriver. Standard screwdriver heads that are tapered will distort the screw slots very easily.

Posted: 7/8/2017 3:09:08 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
I saw an article where pics of sectioned grip screws revealed way more metal left intact with slotted vs hex. They said slotted was stronger, so I vote slotted.

View Quote

I agree. I broke a stainless steel hex grip screw. Not enough metal where threaded portion meets bottom of hex hole. Was a Wilson Combat screw so would assume good quality.

Mine are slotted by choice for the above reason.

YMMV

Posted: 7/8/2017 5:08:41 PM EDT

[#25]

Hex head is probably the 2nd worst in terms of actually getting damaged by use.

Torx screws are probably best, followed by Robertson (square drive), then hex, and last Phillips.

For grip screws I generally prefer slotted, properly cupped so that you can use a cartridge rim such as the original 1911 grip screws.

Posted: 7/8/2017 5:27:57 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
meh.

Whatever the pistol comes with from the factory.

There are far more important things to obsess over than grip screws.

View Quote

Mostly this, but if/when I have a choice (e.g., a custom 1911), I prefer slotted for general utility and aesthetics.

Generally speaking, though, I don't care enough to actively switch whatever it is the gun came with, though.

~Augee

Posted: 7/8/2017 6:13:41 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hex or torx ... no question slot or Phillips get roughed up or chewed up way to easy.

View Quote

Most of the slotted screws do not appear top be correctly hardened.
Carburize to 0.002 to 0.005 depth is called out followed by tempering at 450F for 20 minutes.
They are NOT inexpensive processes.

They are near file hard when done properly.

The punching process to shape a hex or Torrx recess hardens the steel enough to provide decent life with a quality driver.

The $2.99 hex bits are NOT correctly hardened, and are often not sized corretly either.
The Torx drivers are a little better but the 'deep discount' ones are NOT very good.

For the most part a Torx should have a softer steel shaft and a much harder insert of tool steel in the tip.

older correctly hardened screws stand up much better but can still be damaged by cheap screwdrivers.
A small o-ring between the screw head and grips will go a long way to keeping them tight.

Posted: 7/8/2017 7:12:14 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hex or torx ... no question slot or Phillips get roughed up or chewed up way to easy.

View Quote

IMO slotted screws get "screwed up" too easy.

Posted: 7/9/2017 12:22:33 AM EDT

[#29]

I had a sig mk25 that the previous owner put some hogue grips and hogue hex head screws on. I wanted to return it to factory so I started taking out the hex heads. Every single one of those hex screws stripped out. I was using a us made quality hex key and applying pressure so everything should have been fine. I then tried everything to get them out: a heat gun in case the were loctite, soaking in oil, a torx in the deformed hex. Nothing did it and ultimately I had to drill each screw out with a screw extractor. Not fun at all and very tedious. Luckily it worked without any problems. From then on, not one of my pistols will ever have a hex nut grip screw if I can help it.

Posted: 7/9/2017 12:26:27 AM EDT

[#30]

It's interesting to see the divide on this. The reason I ask is because my Beretta seems to have grip screw that sticks out just a bit and I'm wondering if trying new screws will help. If I buy another set, I'm torn on which type to get.

Posted: 7/9/2017 12:31:07 AM EDT

[#31]

of the two, hex, slotted screws get boogered up if you don't use a gun smithing screwdriver (hollow ground)

Posted: 7/9/2017 4:46:13 AM EDT

[#32]

If you're hand-tightening, slotted.

Torx and hex are too easy to over-torque and screw up your frame.

Posted: 7/9/2017 8:24:42 AM EDT

[#33]

I had a Ed Brown Allen head snap off where the head meets the body of the screw.
I guess if they make the pocket the wrench fits in too deep there isn't much material between the head and the threads.
Slotted for me.

Posted: 7/9/2017 12:03:19 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
Slotted. The chances are not great that I will have a torx or hex key around when I may need to take the grips off, but I will always have a screwdriver nearby.

View Quote

This and more.

In the past I've the heads in hex and torx screws get a little rust in the screw head and break off.
Slotted only for me.

Posted: 7/11/2017 10:27:54 PM EDT

[#35]

Slotted screws suck for basically everything, so hex/torx. Hex stuff isn't exactly rare anywhere I've been.

Posted: 7/14/2017 1:03:19 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Slotted. The chances are not great that I will have a torx or hex key around when I may need to take the grips off, but I will always have a screwdriver nearby.

View Quote

This Exactly! I've had one or two Torx Head screws round out in the past. Have since changed to slotted and have not had that problem again. YMMV!

Posted: 7/14/2017 3:16:06 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
This Exactly! I've had one or two Torx Head screws round out in the past. Have since changed to slotted and have not had that problem again. YMMV!

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Slotted. The chances are not great that I will have a torx or hex key around when I may need to take the grips off, but I will always have a screwdriver nearby.

This Exactly! I've had one or two Torx Head screws round out in the past. Have since changed to slotted and have not had that problem again. YMMV!

I have seen a whole lot of slotted that are not hardened properly and buggered up.

Unless the hollow ground screwdriver is a perfect fit it will bugger a soft screw.

Posted: 7/14/2017 7:00:17 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hex or torx ... no question slot or Phillips get roughed up or chewed up way to easy.

View Quote

I voted hex for the poll, but this is my actual answer, as well.

Posted: 7/19/2017 1:18:03 PM EDT

[#39]

Torx > Hex > Slot

Posted: 7/19/2017 7:51:05 PM EDT

[#40]

Hex or Torx.

Posted: 7/23/2017 8:29:44 AM EDT

[#41]

The hex screws have a nice look to them, but when I bought my first Ruger almost forty years ago, it had really big slotted grip screws. The owners manual said the the entire gun could be disassembled with nothing more that the rim of a cartridge case. That's as easy as it gets.

Posted: 7/23/2017 9:58:20 AM EDT

[#42]

The first time a screw driver slipped out of a slotted screw and gouged a nice pair of grips I decided I like hex or torx screws better.

Posted: 7/23/2017 11:27:25 AM EDT

[#43]

I prefer using fasteners that can accept an allen or torx bit.

Posted: 7/23/2017 3:28:16 PM EDT

[#44]

Slotted makes it easier to field strip if needed.

Posted: 7/25/2017 4:44:19 PM EDT

[#45]

As a guy that has to work with hex and torx at work, I'll take slotted.

I hate hex and torx with a passion anywhere corrosion is a possibility. And yes, I always have a screwdriver, dime, knife, or sharp edge handy that I can use to tighten a slotted screw. I'm not going to buy 5 torx or hex wrenches to throw in the vehicles or a travel bag so I can take care of some stupid specialty screw in case it comes loose.

Posted: 7/26/2017 9:37:50 AM EDT

[#46]

Machined off more hex (10) and trox (2) head screws from 1911 grips than slotted (0). ymmv

Posted: 7/26/2017 9:38:49 AM EDT

[#47]

Hex for me. Slotted screws get messed up easier.

Posted: 7/26/2017 4:23:58 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
As a guy that has to work with hex and torx at work, I'll take slotted.

I hate hex and torx with a passion anywhere corrosion is a possibility. And yes, I always have a screwdriver, dime, knife, or sharp edge handy that I can use to tighten a slotted screw. I'm not going to buy 5 torx or hex wrenches to throw in the vehicles or a travel bag so I can take care of some stupid specialty screw in case it comes loose.

View Quote

You could always l;earn hot to keep them tight.

I cannot remember the last time I had a 1911 grip screw get loose.

Put a small o-ring under the screw head.

Posted: 7/26/2017 6:05:53 PM EDT

[#49]

Slotted. More surface area contact = less likely to strip. I have two hex screws in my 1911 that are stripped.

Posted: 7/26/2017 7:31:59 PM EDT

[#50]

Torx^(R) all the things!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you prefer slotted or hex screws for your grips? (Page 1 of 2)

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