Grip Screw Question.

sapritchard · 07-01-2003, 06:55 PM

I just received my first Luger from Ralph Shattuck last Friday, it's a fine looking pistol. The only problem is that one of the grip screw holes is cross threaded and the screw will not go all the way down on the grip, resulting in a loose grip. What is the thread size of the screw and what size tap would I need to clean the threads up?

Thor · 07-01-2003, 07:30 PM

Sometimes it is the screw that has the wrong threads and not the frame

John D. · 07-01-2003, 07:53 PM

Hi sapritchard,

As well - sometimes the grips shrink - and there is no way to hold the grips tight (Thor has a suggestion for this

)... Are you sure it's cross threaded, and not just the grips have shrunken a bit..???

Best to you...!

Pete Ebbink · 07-01-2003, 08:22 PM

A very small, thin o-ring between the inside surface of the wooden grip and the frame metal will usually tighten up loose wood.

Also, you might wait a few days. If the luger and its wooden grips were in the dry heat of AZ State, they may just absorb a little humidity from the climate of their new home and might just become tighter all by themselves...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

sapritchard · 07-01-2003, 09:25 PM

The grips on the gun are plastic and the screw is going in at a slight angle. It will only go in about 3/4 turn and freezes up. I took the grips off and swoped screws and got the same thing. After inspecting the frame, it clearly shows where someone tried to force thread a screw in the hole, which was not properly in place. If someone could tell me how to post pics, I will load one up? or I could e-mail some pics.

Thanks

John D. · 07-01-2003, 09:41 PM

Hi sapritchard,

If you want to send me the pics at johnd@rennlist.com - I'm pretty sure I can post them for you (I run, host, program, administer, all the servers - connections - hardware - software, etc. - that run this site.. In fact - all the servers are sitting about 3' from where I'm typing this..

)...

However - it sure seems that your frame/screw is stripped...

Let me know, OK????

Thor · 07-01-2003, 09:57 PM

AND WHAT A GREAT job you do buddy! Thanks for all you do for this great forum! AND....not to mention the GREAT P.38 forum, and the GREAT PP&PPK Forum. Thanks for all you do for all of us that enjoy these super German Pistols! Thor

John D. · 07-01-2003, 10:12 PM

Thanks Thor..!!! If you could see my face - I have a huge grin - and it's a little red from embarrassment

I dunno - I do all that - but it's you - and folks just like you - who have made this the community it has become...

That's to your credit - certainly not mine... My thanks for that and all on the LugerForum/P.38/PPK/PPK Forums...

John D.
(BTW: I had to replace a router this evening - sorry for the outage for a few minutes - BUT - the Forums should be MUCH FASTER..!!!

)

unspellable · 07-02-2003, 08:12 AM

Oddly enough, the thread on the grip screws is not metric. At least on the DWM, Mauser may have switched. It is one of the old British standards, I think Whitworth or maybe British Standard. I do not remember the exact size. This may make finding taps and dies to chase the threads with a bit difficult. You might want to think of chasing the hole thread and putting in a new screw.

Luke · 07-02-2003, 09:26 AM

If I remember correctly, Hugh Clark posted a good description of Luger grip screw threads a couple of years ago. Possibly this thread is still available.

UPDATE: Just did a quick search and found multiple comments on grip screw threads. Two from Hugh are copied below.

1. "The grip screws apparently were made in two sizes, I don't know when, where, how or who. They were made in 3/16"x32tpi, and in 4.5mmx.8 thread pitch. I just bought the set of Luger dies and taps that Sam Buscemi had for sale. According to him the 4.5x.8 mm is a rare configuration. If any one needs their threads renewed on the frame or screws of their gun, I can do this now.

2. "Most of the grip screw threads are Whitworth 3/16x32 TPI. Some are Whitworth 4.5mmx.8 pitch. These are usually on earlier guns in random samples. The 4.5 mm screw will be a loose fit in the 3/16" hole and the 3/16" screw will bind in the 4.5 mm hole."

Good luck with your problem.

Luke

sapritchard · 07-02-2003, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the info Luke.

07-01-2003, 06:55 PM	#1
sapritchard New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: OPelika, AL Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Grip Screw Question. I just received my first Luger from Ralph Shattuck last Friday, it's a fine looking pistol. The only problem is that one of the grip screw holes is cross threaded and the screw will not go all the way down on the grip, resulting in a loose grip. What is the thread size of the screw and what size tap would I need to clean the threads up?

07-01-2003, 07:30 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Sometimes it is the screw that has the wrong threads and not the frame __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

07-01-2003, 09:57 PM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	AND WHAT A GREAT job you do buddy! Thanks for all you do for this great forum! AND....not to mention the GREAT P.38 forum, and the GREAT PP&PPK Forum. Thanks for all you do for all of us that enjoy these super German Pistols! Thor __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

07-02-2003, 09:26 AM	#10
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	If I remember correctly, Hugh Clark posted a good description of Luger grip screw threads a couple of years ago. Possibly this thread is still available. UPDATE: Just did a quick search and found multiple comments on grip screw threads. Two from Hugh are copied below. 1. "The grip screws apparently were made in two sizes, I don't know when, where, how or who. They were made in 3/16"x32tpi, and in 4.5mmx.8 thread pitch. I just bought the set of Luger dies and taps that Sam Buscemi had for sale. According to him the 4.5x.8 mm is a rare configuration. If any one needs their threads renewed on the frame or screws of their gun, I can do this now. 2. "Most of the grip screw threads are Whitworth 3/16x32 TPI. Some are Whitworth 4.5mmx.8 pitch. These are usually on earlier guns in random samples. The 4.5 mm screw will be a loose fit in the 3/16" hole and the 3/16" screw will bind in the 4.5 mm hole." Good luck with your problem. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

07-01-2003, 07:53 PM	#3
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 473 Thanked 513 Times in 127 Posts	Hi sapritchard, As well - sometimes the grips shrink - and there is no way to hold the grips tight (Thor has a suggestion for this )... Are you sure it's cross threaded, and not just the grips have shrunken a bit..??? Best to you...!

07-01-2003, 08:22 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	A very small, thin o-ring between the inside surface of the wooden grip and the frame metal will usually tighten up loose wood. Also, you might wait a few days. If the luger and its wooden grips were in the dry heat of AZ State, they may just absorb a little humidity from the climate of their new home and might just become tighter all by themselves... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

07-01-2003, 09:25 PM	#5
sapritchard New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: OPelika, AL Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The grips on the gun are plastic and the screw is going in at a slight angle. It will only go in about 3/4 turn and freezes up. I took the grips off and swoped screws and got the same thing. After inspecting the frame, it clearly shows where someone tried to force thread a screw in the hole, which was not properly in place. If someone could tell me how to post pics, I will load one up? or I could e-mail some pics. Thanks

07-01-2003, 09:41 PM	#6
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 473 Thanked 513 Times in 127 Posts	Hi sapritchard, If you want to send me the pics at johnd@rennlist.com - I'm pretty sure I can post them for you (I run, host, program, administer, all the servers - connections - hardware - software, etc. - that run this site.. In fact - all the servers are sitting about 3' from where I'm typing this.. )... However - it sure seems that your frame/screw is stripped... Let me know, OK????

07-01-2003, 10:12 PM	#8
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 473 Thanked 513 Times in 127 Posts	Thanks Thor..!!! If you could see my face - I have a huge grin - and it's a little red from embarrassment I dunno - I do all that - but it's you - and folks just like you - who have made this the community it has become... That's to your credit - certainly not mine... My thanks for that and all on the LugerForum/P.38/PPK/PPK Forums... John D. (BTW: I had to replace a router this evening - sorry for the outage for a few minutes - BUT - the Forums should be MUCH FASTER..!!! )

07-02-2003, 08:12 AM	#9
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Oddly enough, the thread on the grip screws is not metric. At least on the DWM, Mauser may have switched. It is one of the old British standards, I think Whitworth or maybe British Standard. I do not remember the exact size. This may make finding taps and dies to chase the threads with a bit difficult. You might want to think of chasing the hole thread and putting in a new screw.

07-02-2003, 09:37 AM	#11
sapritchard New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: OPelika, AL Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info Luke.