Screw Head Failure

[tracker]

I suggest you change them, Bill; I live in Area Code 713.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case.

[Bill_in_TX]

Thanks Tracker,

I wouldn't have planned to change them this soon, but given your experience I'll do so at the next cleaning session.  Yes, preventive maintenance  is a really good idea, but who would have thought grip screws on a 9MM  .

[tracker]

If I hadn't seen it in person, I would not have believed it. The factory
is working on it and will do whatever it takes, as usual.

[tracker]

Good news and case closed on the screw issue--the pup came
back today, 16 days door-to-door, with 4 new screws and a new
recoil spring. The old spring had less than 100 rds. on it.

Karl called today and graciously explained that sometimes things
just break and they fix them. Maria said the other day that the
screws have not been changed over the years but these look
slightly different to me but that's OK. Karl said that he has received
broken screws back from being over torqued. He has a special torque
screwdriver to set the screws.

I am happy to report that customer service is alive and well at
Rohrbaugh. Karl said he had no problem removing the broken
screw. It just wasn't worth the risk of stripping the threads to me.
Thanks for all your thoughts and comment on this subject.

[Richard S]

Tracker:

Thank you for the report. I'm glad it all worked out to your satisfaction. Rohrbaugh's customer service is indeed alive and well and continues to set a standard for the rest of the industry.

[ACP]

You have had the gun for years and the factory showed up when you needed them within a reasonable time frame.

Sounds like happiness to me.

[tracker]

Happiness was the pup coming home.

[sslater]

Tracker,
That same upper left screw failed a couple of years ago on my R9s.  Ironically, it occurred on my first trip to the range after getting my pup back from Rohrbaugh.  (Cracked slide.)  
Before the range session, I checked to verify that all the screws were tight but didn't apply enough torque to actually move any of the screws.
After a couple of mags full of Speer Gold Dots, I happened to look down and noticed that the upper left screw head was gone.  I removed the other screw, the left grip, and removed the shank of the screw with my fingers.  When I reassembled the grip I used a little nail polish on the screws, and it has behaved itself ever since.
I didn't bother to inform Rohrbaugh because:
1. I had spare screws on hand;
2. I've had extensive experience designing socket head fastener systems.  There is very little metal left to hold the load once you sink a hole into the head of the fastener.  In automotive engine design we used socket head fasteners only when no other design could be made to fit.  

BTW:  I spoke to Maria today at Rohrbaugh to order a set of Hogue grips (I've  decided to put my carbon fiber grips in the safe).  She reminded me to use removable-grade LocTite on the grip screws and let the gun sit for 24 hours before shooting it.  

Steve    

[tracker]

Steve,

That is an extraordinary coincidence because I had a cracked slide
last year and returned it about this month in 2008. I fired 50 rounds
after receiving the replaced slide. The gun fired perfectly and I hadn't
shot it again until last month when the same screw failed as yours.

Unbelievable!

[Bill_in_TX]

. . .  

BTW:  I spoke to Maria today at Rohrbaugh to order a set of Hogue grips (I've  decided to put my carbon fiber grips in the safe).  She reminded me to use removable-grade LocTite on the grip screws and let the gun sit for 24 hours before shooting it.  

Steve    

Steve,

Off-topic (and my apoligies for it), but would you post up a review of the Hogue grips when you get them and try them out.  I've been thinking about the same thing for my R9, but have hesitated since I can't see them very well on the Rohrbaugh website (i.e. checkering depth, thickness, etc.).

Thanks,

Bill

[ccoorreeyy]

I have a couple set and like them alot.  They look nice and give lots of extra grip.  Here is a pic I took.

[kjtrains]

Good news and case closed on the screw issue--the pup came
back today, 16 days door-to-door, with 4 new screws and a new
recoil spring. The old spring had less than 100 rds. on it.

Karl called today and graciously explained that sometimes things
just break and they fix them. Maria said the other day that the
screws have not been changed over the years but these look
slightly different to me but that's OK. Karl said that he has received
broken screws back from being over torqued. He has a special torque
screwdriver to set the screws.

I am happy to report that customer service is alive and well at
Rohrbaugh. Karl said he had no problem removing the broken
screw. It just wasn't worth the risk of stripping the threads to me.
Thanks for all your thoughts and comment on this subject.

Glad to hear the pup is home and problem is solved!      

[tracker]

Thank you, kj; after all, it was only a broken screw.

[ACP]

Corey's picture of Hogue grips looks great. I don't know if it is the angle or he polished them. By contrast, deercop's picture of Hougue grips on another string looks flat and boring.

What's up with that? How can these grips look great in one picture and so plain in another?

[kjtrains]

I have a couple set and like them alot.  They look nice and give lots of extra grip.  Here is a pic I took.

Corey!  Really nice!!