Grip Screw Problem

[army_eod]

First post and first CZ pistol.  Just picked up my CZ Shadow 2.  Did lots of research before deciding on this pistol.

Went out and put about 200 rounds downrange with no issues.

My issue was when I removed the left grip; or attempted to remove.  The screw was very tight.  Seems the grip hole and frame hole are not really lined up.

I messed up the threads on the screw.  Not sure how badly the threads in the frame are now.  I managed to install the stock aluminum grip but the screw is boogered.

Was not happy to see the misalignment of grip holes and frame hole.  Not sure if this was a problem from the factory or not.  I did not even attempt to remove the right grip at that point.

This is really not something that should be happening with an expensive pistol.

Anybody else have this issue?

Now I ordered new screws but that does not fix the misalignment problem or the possible stripped threads in the frame.

I have a choice; do nothing, sent to CZ or have a gunsmith look at it.

It is brand new so I am leaning toward sending back to CZ. 

Not happy with having a gun for one day and then finding this problem and having to send back for repair.

Not a good start for CZ Shadow 2.

[M1A4ME]

I don't have a CZ with wood or metal grips.  I like the soft rubber grips and buy those to install on any CZ I get that doesn't have them.

And yes, I see misalignment issues between the screw holes in the soft rubber grips and the screw holes in the frame.  With the soft rubber grips its easier to force them into alignment before threading the screws in.

All I can say is, don't force them during installation, turn it, if it's lined up it will turn in pretty easy, if it starts to bind up, stop and realign the screw and try again.

I seldom remove grips.  The little bit of powder residue that ends up down there gets wiped out by inserting a rag from the bottom and pushing/pulled it up through the frame.

When I read about screw/thread problems with pistol grips I almost always think about John Browning designing the 1911 to have those replaceable grip screw bushings in the frame.  Ruin one?  Just remove it and install a new one.  No frame damage at all.

Good luck with it.

[army_eod]

Interesting to note others have the same issue.  I was trying to install the rubber grips.  The aluminum ones do not line  up.  How dumb is that?

I have an email into CZ.  I want them to fix this.

[M1A4ME]

What I've seen on mine is:
1.  one side of the rubber grips may line up easier/better than the other side
2.  I put the worst out of alignment/hard to fit grip on first, so I can reach through the frame with the fingers of the other hand to help push/pull/twist the hardest to install grip panel
3. you have to put the front down into the frame first, then set the back down on the frame and get it into the frame
4. it can take a lot of force (pushing forwards on the back edge of the grip panel) to get the holes lined up
5. have the screw in the grip before you start, but not protruding through the grip
6.  start turning the screw easy and feel for any dragging that indicates cross threading
7.  if it's smoothly turning then tighten it down snug, not too tight, the rubber will hold the grip screw in place as the rubber grips the screw threads pretty well
8.  after the first side is done, install the other side

I almost never take the grips off, I mean almost never.

I suppose it might be pretty easy to open the screw hole up in a set of rubber grips but I've never tried it.

[WVSurveyor]

Sorry to hear about your grip screw issue.
I replaced the factory grips with G10 grips on both my SP-01 Tactical and PCR with no issues at all.
You did the right thing contacting CZ. They should take care of it for you.

[RoverSig]

One last thing you might try is getting new grip screws and trying them.  I imagine the screws are softer than the metal around the hole, in order to have the grip screw fail before the hole in the frame gets stripped, and maybe it is just the screw that is buggered. 

Please let us know what solution CZ offers - whether it is sending it back to the company for a bushing to be installed or what.  I strongly suspect this has happened to more than one CZ owner before.  Good luck with it.   

[Tok36]

   I have encountered this with a few of my metal frame CZs. To remedy the issue i alter the grips either at the scerw hole or at the back of the grips to adjust how they sit in frame so that the scerw hole aligns. In my estimate this comes with the territory of CZs. I choose to work past it and enjoy the pistols. Though it would be nice if this did not happen i do not foresee the possibility being eliminated any time soon.

Hopefully CZ will take care of it for you. Let us know how it goes.

[army_eod]

I called CZ and they said just fill out the warrant request form on their website.  When I get home, I will do that.

Pretty sure I will be sending the frame in.

Glad I have other fun guns to shoot until it comes home.

[George16]

Sorry to hear about your problems.

I never had any problems with my shadow 2’s grip screws. I had removed them so many times. In fact, I remove them ever time I clean my gun after every match (3 times a month) when I was shooting production. I’m about to send it to primary machine to have them cut and install an optic so I can have it as back up for my X5 in carry optics.

I can tell you though that the screws they used are so soft and easily stripped if you’re not careful. I replaced mine at the first opportunity with hardened 12.9 screws I had from my rc truck parts bin. CZ also used a lot of blue loctite on those screws especially on the mag release pad so be careful when you remove that too.

[army_eod]

I received an RMA and shipping label from CZ.  It will be going back to CZ via Fedex.

[sawlsville]

My alignment was just fine on both sides when I replaced my factory panels with Lok Grips.  There was a ton of blue loctite on the screws...  Took a while to clean all the goop out.  Glad CZ is taking care of you.

[army_eod]

CZ just emailed me to say they are finished with the gun and will be shipping.

About three weeks.  Said they inspected the frame and installed the grips without locktite.

I have a set of G-10 grips waiting for the gun to return.

[SEAKPhotog]

I've experienced this issue with my P-01.  I ended up stripping the left hand screw and had to drill it out   I now pretty much follow the procedure below if I need to take the grip off.

What I've seen on mine is:
1.  one side of the rubber grips may line up easier/better than the other side
2.  I put the worst out of alignment/hard to fit grip on first, so I can reach through the frame with the fingers of the other hand to help push/pull/twist the hardest to install grip panel
3. you have to put the front down into the frame first, then set the back down on the frame and get it into the frame
4. it can take a lot of force (pushing forwards on the back edge of the grip panel) to get the holes lined up
5. have the screw in the grip before you start, but not protruding through the grip
6.  start turning the screw easy and feel for any dragging that indicates cross threading
7.  if it's smoothly turning then tighten it down snug, not too tight, the rubber will hold the grip screw in place as the rubber grips the screw threads pretty well
8.  after the first side is done, install the other side

I almost never take the grips off, I mean almost never.

I suppose it might be pretty easy to open the screw hole up in a set of rubber grips but I've never tried it.

[timmy75]

so, new problem occurred with my shadow 2.

Factory brass grips https://benstoegerproshop.com/cz-shadow-2-factory-brass-grips/

After shooting 20, maybe 30 rounds, right grip screw unscrewed, right grip panel loose.

I tried to use new screws, same thing. I put blue loctite 243, wouldn't help.

30-40k rounds in total and 10k maybe with brass grips. I remove grip panels once a month when cleaning.

[Tok36]

so, new problem occurred with my shadow 2.

Factory brass grips https://benstoegerproshop.com/cz-shadow-2-factory-brass-grips/

After shooting 20, maybe 30 rounds, right grip screw unscrewed, right grip panel loose.

I tried to use new screws, same thing. I put blue loctite 243, wouldn't help.

30-40k rounds in total and 10k maybe with brass grips. I remove grip panels once a month when cleaning.

   I used rubber O rings under the screw heads to keep the grips screws in place on my CZ 97 when i was running the factory aluminum grips. It may be worth a try.