Screw loosening and/or falling out while shooting and/or use?

Pistolero · February 20, 2006, 12:56:14 PM

Hello all,
I have an Uberti Colt .45 with 5 1/2" barrel. It handles, functions, and shoots flawlessly. It is very accurate too. If you want to take the time to aim and hold, it can hit a tin can at 100 yds.
I prefer to just up and shoot more or less instinctively at silluette targets ten to twenty yards away.

Anyway, one day while doing just that, shooting some of my BP reloads. I had fired maybe twenty rounds (only maybe two or three hundred total from the gun since its purchase). I fired a shot and I saw out of my periferal vision some parts fall or jump from my pistol. I thought for a moment my pistol had blown up. But then I looked down and it was ok except for the fact that my entire ejector rod assembly and its housing was missing from the pistol. I looked down and there was the ejector rod, its spring, the housing tube and the screw which mounts it to the barrel, all laying about in a foot and a half circle. It was a good thing that I was at a gravel pit and standing in light yellow, almost white sand. I picked the parts up and went home and of course after thorougly cleaning my gun I reassembled the parts back onto it. But I used some "Lock-Tight" on the screw.

I have not fired it since then, but do y'all reckon the lock-tight will hold the screw? Also, every time I turn around I am having to tighten up the screws that hold the grip and trigger housing to the frame. I go long periods of time without shooting, but I do handle the gun a lot, practicing drawing cocking, just holding and handling it, etc., etc.,. Those screws seem to work loose even from just a lot of handling. Is that normal? Is it wise to use Lock Tight? Any advice or info on this loosening screw problem would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Pistolero
Millbrook, Al.

litl rooster · February 20, 2006, 03:56:49 PM

Don't know if it's common...I don't believe it is. However the Blue lock tite should help.

Wrangler Rich · February 20, 2006, 07:37:51 PM

The Rooster is right on with the advice to use BLUE Loctite!! Don't use the RED if you will need to remove the screw.

The BLUE will allow you to remove the screw when needed.

Good Luck

Delmonico · February 20, 2006, 07:47:03 PM

I quit using Loc-Tite on screws years ago, I use teflon plumbers tape. It works as good and is much easier to clean up before reassmbly. Besides that in makes less of a mess in the shooting box if it gets loose.

Wrangler Rich · February 21, 2006, 06:42:55 AM

Hey Del,

That's good tip. I've never thought about teflon tape, I've used it for plumbing for 20 years, and never gave it a thought for machine screws.

Thanks,

WR

Paladin UK · February 21, 2006, 01:23:26 PM

Ho Del..............

QuoteI use teflon plumbers tape.

Is that what we call inert tape on this side of the pond??....Its White, comes on a roll `bout1/2" wide Very thin `n plasticy ......

Paladin (Whats gotta know

) UK

litl rooster · February 21, 2006, 04:26:24 PM

Quote from: Paladin UK on February 21, 2006, 01:23:26 PM
Ho Del..............

Is that what we call inert tape on this side of the pond??....Its White, comes on a roll `bout1/2" wide Very thin `n plasticy ......

Paladin (Whats gotta know ) UK

Yep it is...That's what my Pa called it...........on this side of the pond.

Del I never thought of using it either, however some of them screws os pretty small.

Laredo Crockett · February 21, 2006, 11:16:39 PM

I've been using Loc Tite on these screws for years with excellent results. Only use the stuff which says to the effect "remove with common hand tools". The more intense form of that stuff requires application of heat to remove the screw. Clear finger nail polish might work, but I've never tried it---might be a little weak though.

Crockett

Pistolero · February 22, 2006, 08:39:34 AM

Hey Y'all,
Thanks for all the tips. The type I used is some I had left over from when I had a motorcycle. It is "Suzuki Thread Lock 1360, Medium Strength High Temperature Type". I have not shot my pistol much since then nor have I tried to tighten or loosen any of the screws so I don't know how this type of thread lock will do. I hope it is ok.
Take care,
Pistolero
Millbrook, Al..

Wolfcamp Hill · February 23, 2006, 08:31:57 AM

howdy,

if any of you fellers get a screw you can't remove because of the red locktight the best solution is a small soldering iron applied to the head of the screw to heat up and melt the locktight, the screw will come out real easy then. i guess a cigarette lighter would work in an emergency.

wolfcamp