The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Cleaning and Maintenance of the R-9 => Topic started by: Nuke56 on March 10, 2010, 11:51:13 AM

Title: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Nuke56 on March 10, 2010, 11:51:13 AM
During the first cleaning of my R9 I removed the right grip panel for inspection and clean/lube.  All went well with no problems of disassembly or reassembly.  When ordering recoil springs and spare grip screws from the factory it was mentioned that the grip screws should be installed with "low strength LocTite".  There are numerous LocTite products that are Low Strength.  Does anyone have a specific LocTite part number that they would recommend?
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: birdman on March 10, 2010, 01:42:52 PM
        Nuke,  I don't know which Loctite the Bros. use but it works! When I ordered my R9s from Tom Watson I called Maria at the same time and ordered the Hogue Extreme grips and black screws. Maria had one of the Bros. change the grips before it left the factory. After a couple hundred rounds the screws are still tight! I'm not sure I could get them off if I wanted to. If they ever loosen I plan to use clear nail polish and see how that works. I really don't like the idea of not being able to remove them.       Gene
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: birdman on March 10, 2010, 01:45:07 PM
   Nuke, I forgot, welcome to the forum. You'll like here!     Gene
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Dino on March 10, 2010, 04:56:51 PM
Blue LocTite is medium strength and is recommended. Clean the screws and holes with alcohol first.
 
Nice job on the disassembly and reassembly.

Welcome and enjoy the R9!
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kinoz on March 10, 2010, 09:23:36 PM
There was a post about 6 months ago about using nail polish.  You may want to do a search.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: FloridaCCW on March 24, 2010, 08:46:36 PM
Maria told me that they use LocTite medium blue 242.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: XScout on May 26, 2010, 10:43:32 PM
New here and not sure where to ask this:
What size fastener is the grip screw on the r9?
The instructions say it's a hex head Allen But don't give a size but I swear it looks like a torx. Don't want to strip it.  
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: FloridaCCW on May 26, 2010, 11:33:30 PM
I use a 1/16 Hex L Wrench
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 26, 2010, 11:35:58 PM
and dont use a cheap one, use a high quality one.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: XScout on May 27, 2010, 12:12:04 AM
Thanks. Yup 1/16" hex L (and I only have the best tools - I own a Rohrbaugh r9 right ;)
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kjtrains on May 27, 2010, 07:35:10 AM
You're right on now, XScout.  Continue to enjoy!
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Richard S on May 27, 2010, 03:53:34 PM
I'm perhaps one of the few R9 owners who elect not to use any thread locker on my grip screws. Instead, I just snug them down, keep an eye on them at the range, and always have a hex key around in case one might work loose during firing. But then I like to change out my grips between the aluminums and the CFs every month or so anyway.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: tracker on May 27, 2010, 06:01:01 PM

I completely agree, Richard. It seems in recollecting screw issues that there have far more stripped than loose screw problems. Some of that has to be from over torquing or too aggressive with the thread locker.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Rich_G on May 27, 2010, 10:51:52 PM
I also agree with Richard and tracker, no thread locker or nail polish, just keep an eye on your screws!  ;)
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 27, 2010, 10:57:42 PM
I use Locker on mine.  I do change alot of grips to without any problems thus far.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Rich_G on May 27, 2010, 11:21:17 PM
Cory, I also change my right grip often between the original grip and the covert carrier grip depending on my schedule and dress code that day. I've had bad luck and the last time had to drill out 3 of 4 screws. ???   Since, I have had one range session and no loose screws. I have been putting about 45 to 50 rounds per session thru the R9s and for a screw that small and at 1/16 hex I think I’m just gonna keep an eye on them. just my 2 cents
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: tracker on May 27, 2010, 11:35:17 PM

What's worse? loose screw or drilled screw?
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Rich_G on May 27, 2010, 11:46:47 PM
I think that could be debated, if you have a loose right grip screw the gun "could" malfunction but I have never had a screw loosen up in a holster and they haven’t loosened up for me so I will periodically check them. I can tell you it wasn’t any fun putting a drill to my R9s.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kjtrains on May 28, 2010, 07:28:44 AM
Yep.  That's got to be a bummer, for sure.  I don't change grips, but do check for loose grip screws.  So far, never a problem.  
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Richard S on May 28, 2010, 09:47:37 AM
Quote
* * * I can tell you it wasn’t any fun putting a drill to my R9s.

I'll drink to that! Back five +/- years ago, before I decided to "run bare," as it were [no thread locker], I had to drill out one grip screw on my R9 using a small damaged-screw remover and a hand-held power drill set on slow reverse. The R9 was wearing it's original blue CFs at the time. Just before starting, I can remember uttering what I have been told is the old fighter-pilot's prayer [Tracker, correct me here if I have this wrong]: "Dear Lord, please don't let me **** this up!"

Either the Lord was listening, or I was just lucky. It worked without any damage to the CFs or the frame.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kjtrains on May 28, 2010, 10:00:58 AM
My, it's so amazing, how people cause themselves so much problems!    ;D   I did it too, yesterday, not with grip screws, but by not using the correct ammo in the Seecamp.  I definitely knew better.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 28, 2010, 12:29:08 PM
Quote
What's worse? loose screw or drilled screw?

I think it depends on timeing for me.  If it were to be loose and the triger NOT work when I needed it to (life or death) I would think the loose screw would be MUCH worse than if I had to drill a screw one day.  After all,  I do carry my R9 just incase of that life or death possibility and I need it to work!
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 28, 2010, 06:49:49 PM
I don't think I have ever shared "my tool" for taking grip screws a loose.  I took a high quality 1/16" L wrench and cut it off about 1.5" long.  Then I took a regular tap wrench (from a tap/die set) and clamped it in it real tight.  I left just enough of the allen wrench out to fully seat in the screw head.  Now I can push down while turning.  I would think that most stripped screws would come from the wrench slipping while turning it.  With the tap wrench that possibility is almost gone.   I have taken grips off about 25 or so times this way, breaking LocTite holds, and have never had a problem.  I hope this helps sombody.

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x275/ccaallaahhaann/Farmingdales/wrench.jpg)
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kjtrains on May 28, 2010, 07:03:28 PM
That looks like the tool to have, if you remove grips and sounds like a proven success record.  Excellent.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Richard S on May 28, 2010, 07:26:47 PM
Quote

I think it depends on timeing for me.  If it were to be loose and the triger NOT work when I needed it to (life or death) I would think the loose screw would be MUCH worse than if I had to drill a screw one day.  After all,  I do carry my R9 just incase of that life or death possibility and I need it to work!

Corey:
 
That makes perfect sense. What we all (at least 99.9% of us around here) appear to agree upon is that the Rohrbaugh R9s and K380s are superbly manufactured firearms which have exceptionally bridged the gap between functional tools and amazing works of art. How the owner elects to carry his or her little masterpiece or otherwise maintain it is entirely secondary.
 
My R9 is my "24/7 gun." Because of my life style, it often fills the backup role to a more traditional primary -- 1911, P7 . . . even a DE .50 on occasion. (At my age and with what I have managed to survive during work in some of the "armpits" of this world, I now always plan ahead.)  One thing about my R9 is that it is always with me unless I am in court or some other place in which local law prevents that -- in which case it is secured in a safe, bolted in home or vehicle. Hell's bells, I even take the little "pocket rocket" into the bathroom when I shower. It is not my primary home-defense weapon at night (that one is chambered in 12-guage, as I have previously posted), but the R9 is there on the night stand.
 
Tracker once noted that there appeared to be a close and personal relationship between me and R9 132. He nailed it, as usual. This pistol has become not only a constant companion but also an extension of my now four-fingered right hand (a constant reminder of some past unpleasantness long ago and far away). I have developed a routine, much like a pilot preflighting his airplane. My R9 is inspected twice each day (morning and night), wiped down each night, fieldstripped and cleaned once each week whether or not it has been fired, and fired every month or so if I pass a range just to rotate the carry ammo and retain familiarity (here read, "muscle memory").  
 
Do I bet my life and the life of "Herself" on this little masterpiece? You betcha!  
 
I have owned many extaordinary and expensive firearms in my soon-to-be 74 years of life, but I rate this R9 of mine as the finest of them all.
 
But then, you obviously agree with that last comment, since you are closing up on or have already surpassed Brenden's record of five "pups" and counting in the kennel.   8)   

 
[size=10]Edit: Typos.[/size]
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: tracker on May 28, 2010, 10:42:45 PM

Confucious say, "Pup owner who run around with loose screw have screw loose."
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Richard S on May 29, 2010, 09:53:19 AM
I just reread that "essay" I wrote yesterday evening. I blame it on a 2009 Merlot. [Note to self: Stay away from the "young" wines.]   ;)
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: kjtrains on May 29, 2010, 10:40:37 AM
I knew it had to be something like that!   ;D
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: tracker on May 29, 2010, 10:59:36 AM

I thought it was well stated and very enjoyable reading.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: Rich_G on May 29, 2010, 11:06:22 AM
Cory, thanks for posting the pic, I think I will make me one and Richard well said...      about the wine too.   I also have a routine similar to yours to ensure it goes bang when trigger is pulled.
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: DanR9SF on June 11, 2010, 03:14:34 PM
Yesterday I removed the screws for the first time, after about 1 1/2 years.  They were t-i-g-h-t and the hex key almost stripped out the hex in the heads.  It was close let me tell you.

Anyway upon inspection I can see corrosion on the threads.  My guess is I'm seeing dissimilar metal corrosion from the steel screw and aluminum frame.  So I used new screws and some anti-sieze compound.  No thread locker.  I'll check the screws often and make sure they're tight.  

If they seem to loosen up then I'll clean them and the threaded holes, and then Loktite them in...
Title: Re: Thread Locker for Grip Screws
Post by: tracker on June 11, 2010, 05:09:35 PM

Dan;
You give sage advice that all would do well to follow.