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Posted: 1/24/2017 5:00:10 PM EDT
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Hi! I have an aluminum Anderson lower and about 10 grips that I've been able to acquire over the years. Been trying them all on the lower. Not using Loctite. Not screwing in super hard or anything.
My question is will this repeated removing and reattaching of the grips in any way damage my threads in the lower or wear them down? |
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So, you're trying out a bunch of different grips? Aluminum receiver and steel screw; the Al will be the one to show any wear. I'd suggest chasing the threads on both the grip screw and its' hole in the receiver. Use a little oil while doing this, and then make SURE to clean out the receiver grip screw hole of all traces of oil and Al particles. Likewise, clean the screw of any steel particles. Now that you know, for certain that there are zero problems with either the threads on the screw, or the threads in its' hole, then put a thin film of grease on the screw for the first threading, and go to it.
FWIW, chasing the threads on the screw should take minimal force. By this I mean grasp the head of the screw using a shorty screwdriver so the screw won't rotate, and screw the die down on it, reversing 90 deg every couple of threads, holding the die in your hand alone. That's minimal force, and should be all you need unless the screw is messed up, which is unlikely, but possible. In the same manner, using a tap to chase the threads for the grip screw in the receiver should take no more force, unless something's wrong there. Don't use a die holder at all is my suggestion, and since you will probably have to use a tap holder, only grasp the tap holder very near its' center, and not on the arms. be sure to carefully start both the tap and the die. Use oil to chase the threads--a couple of drops-- and clean it ALL off to remove metal particles.  It would be a very good idea to buy some 5-cent nuts and screws of the same thread pattern and practice first. Surprising how many fasteners are a little "off", and practicing on them will give you a "feel" for chasing threads, and that will come in very handy. The above would have been my "suspenders-and-belt" advice had you not already gone through repeated installations and removals of the screw. I doubt you've done any damage, but cleaning the threads in the receiver and on the screw might not be a bad idea. After trying 10 different grips, which did you decide to use? |
| Yeah, I have already went through many, but I FrogLubed the screw just a bit after the fifth one just for shits and giggles. I'm also using a star washer, if that makes any difference. I'm going featureless; so a Hammerhead :/. The advice is much appreciated. I doubt I've even come close to wearing anything but wanted to be safe. Any type of lower prob is a burden that can't be easily switched out. I have used Loctite before on other lowers and breaking the seal and getting the screws out has caused no damage; so I'm betting a lightly lubed screw won't do any harm, even with repeated use. |
| I would advise against using FrogLube in that application (or any firearm application, for that matter). FrogLube gums up and becomes sticky if it sits for a while, so unless you want possible sticking issues with that screw in the future, I'd remove it and degrease it. |
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Quoted:
FL has kept my AR rigs working great, but I use the liquid and not much of it on anything other than the BCG. Your decision, I'm just saying it will happen (I used to use FL and it personally happened to my firearms. I'm nowhere near the only one). Since you seem so worried about this grip screw, I'm not sure "lubing" it with something that'll resemble low strength Loctite in 6-12 months is a good idea. |
| Keep in mind that lubricating the screw will increase the torque applied to the threads. As the posters above me mentioned, as long as you're not cross threading the bolt or wrenching it really tight, your lower will be fine. A trick I like to use is once the grip screw bolt is seated in the hole, turn the screw counter clockwise lightly until it finds the threads. You should hear it and feel it. Then drive the screw carefully, and if you feel resistance before the bolt bottoms out on the grip, stop. Done a bunch of lowers and other finely threaded items this way with no issue. |
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