WE 1911, Hogue Grip Not Fitting

[Rotting]

Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I can get 3 of the grip screws in place, but the fourth one just doesn't seem to reach. Not sure if this can be fixed with modding or not. Tried heating it up a bit to allow for a bit more play, but still wasn't enough.

Wondering if anyone else has had an issue with this, and managed to get it to fit, since for a collective 5 hours, myself and a friend couldn't get it in place, mind you we didn't do any shaving on the inside to make it a bit wider or anything. Just tried to see if we could fiddle with it to attempt to get it on.

This is the 1911 I'm trying to get it on.
http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/pistols-g...-magazine.html

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

[JLiang]

Are they self-tapping screws?
As in, when you first unscrewed them, did you feel a slight bit of resistance, a crack, and then it came out, or did it just slide out? Because if it kinda 'clicked out', it's a self-tapping screw (usually) and it won't want to go in at the same angle because of the grooves in the imprinted plastic.


Also make sure your screws are all in the correct respective slots for each said screw.

[Rotting]

The screws did have a bit of resistance, but nothing more than what seemed like if someone just made sure they were on tight.

After taking the screws out, they went back in just fine with the original grips that came with the pistol. The Hogue Grip just isn't quite reaching. Mainly, I can get all grip screws in except the one near the mag release. The grip just doesn't reach and then doesn't line up with the hole for the screw. Seems like the grip just doesn't have enough room to properly wrap around to fit. I'll see if I can get a picture showing this.

[JLiang]

Are the stock pistol grips Proprietary? Maybe you'll just have to file it really carefully so that it does fit.

[Drake]

I always had a hard time with Hogues. They're really tight and need to be stretched a bit. You can warm them up with a hair dryer or something (don't go nuts); like screw in one side, then heat the part that wraps around the front and stretch the other side over the holes.

I've now switch to Pachmayrs for lessened grief.

[Rotting]

Figured it would need to be filed a bit, but I'm not sure where I would have to file it. I don't exactly want to completely ruin it just due to guess-work.

Here's a picture to show the problem:


Note that all other screws are fitting fine. Just that one won't fit. I've tried screwing in 3 other screws and see if it would maybe play a bit more in some areas, but isn't.

[Rotting]

Got it on.

Took 45 minutes, a surgical grade scalpel, and widdling away the grip screw holes from the inside of the Hogue grip to give it a 45 degree bevel so that the screw hole wells on the pistol would be able to slide up into it, instead of requiring perfect alignment for them to pop into place.

[Kwokwai]

One note to add. If you have an ambidextrous safety on that WE 1911 check to see if the grip is pinching the right side. You may have to carve out the grip a bit on that side to allow the safety to work properly.