I'm not sure what you mean about whether the grip screw bushings are "integral with the frame" - are you asking if they are staked? If they were integral with the frame, they wouldn't be bushings.

I have a V-Bob, and the bushings are not staked (or on my other DWs). They are tight, however, and appear to be generously dabbed with blue loctite. They do require a bushing removal tool to remove properly, and some cleaning to remove the excess loctite in the threads. They will not come out when simply unscrewing the grips (which I do for every cleaning).

My first and only Kimber's grip screw bushings came out the first time I unscrewed the grips. I was very unhappy. I replaced all the grip screw bushings and screws with Ed Browns, and blue loctited the bushings; no more issues. Never had to to that with my DWs, unless I was swapping out thins for regular, or vice-versa.

 

The grips screw bushings have threads and screw into the frame. Some type of locktite is used to hold them in place and keep them from from backing out. The locktite makes it difficult to remove the bushings.

 

Mine's the same way too.

 

Valors ship with thin grips and bushings. You can use full thickness grips with the thin bushings, but best too replace them with standard bushings. As others mentioned, the factory bushings are set with loctite, so you need to heat the frame to loosen.

 

Thanks for the info guys!

@JustaHack - You were right on! I meant staked like my Wilson's are. lol.

 

Thought that's what you meant, glad I could help.

The worst bushings I've ever had to remove were on a Colt Defender. I was trying to swap the standard bushings for thins. They were both loctited AND heavily staked (and soft!). Only one came out with a bushing removal tool. Two more had to be crushed with pliers and carefully backed out with protective tape all over the frame to prevent scratching. For the last bushing, even all that didn't work, it just twisted off flush with the frame. I had to use a stripped screw bit and a lot of careful effort to back out the remainder without harming the original frame threads. I got it done but it took me an entire evening.

Grip bushings are both a great and terrible idea at the same time. :biglaugh:

 

I think I have decided to keep the thin bushings/grips on for a while and see how I like them.


@oliveview.....I think staking has pros and cons myself.