Repair / restoration on a WA Elite 1A

[Faceplant]

As this isn't a "please help with my gun" hopefully I put this in the right place 

 

Last week I stumbled on a Western Arms M92 Elite 1A and ended up taking it home, once I got back it was time for stripping cleaning and lubrication, everything went fine until I got to to the right grip panel which was glued in place that's where things got interesting.

 

1: frame with reinstalled bushing and bottom "screw"

[img]https://i.imgur.com/DaWRrUR.jpg[/img]

 

The top screw was spinning freely instead of unscrewing I was able to push it out from the other side where the screw washer and bushing came out in one go.  After using pliers to unscrew the bushing I was able to reinstall it witha very careful application of superglue to the hole left behind I then tried to undo the bottom "screw" and what I thought was dirt turned into an "oh... dear"

 

2: digging into the putty

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yd31wxF.jpg[/img]

 

The screw was in fact a blob of modelling putty and as I'd already broken it it was going to have to go, enter the craft knife and lots of careful scraping.

 

3: the "ring of truth" good riddance 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/cvCZ488.jpg[/img]

 

Having cleared out the mess I now had a hole to fill while the box had all the paperwork and even the tiny hex keys for adjusting the hop there was no sign of the missing screw and bushing. As WA spares are somewhat hard to find I was going to have to make do. I did have a few slotted M92 grip screws TM spec from Guarder 

 

4: a burry mess showing the modified screw

[img]https://i.imgur.com/NRHMqeA.jpg[/img]

 

As the thread on the new screw was thicker than the hole left by the missing bushing I filed it down to a .5mm stub so it can't do any more damage to the frame. After polishing with fine wire wool the new dummy screw fits in to cover the hole and can be popped out from behind if needed.

 

5: the end result 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/xJGujv9.jpg[/img]

 

My main aim was not to do more damage so the glued down panel has to stay as I didn't feel using force or solvents was a good idea likewise if I do come across a replacement bushing or screw it can replace the dummy I made up. The end result works fine but unfortunately as the glued panel covers the transfer bar it can't be fully dissambled. Now I just need to find an Elite 1 or 2...

 

Feel free to ask any questions you want

 

Tools used:

Flat screwdriver 

Needlenose pliers 

Superglue with brush tip

Vice

Flat file

Edited July 28, 2022 by Faceplant
Added images because I fail at embedding.

[Faceplant]

Quick update managed to remove the stuck grip panel with a hairdryer and and a great deal of care the fixed top bushing and screw retains it without issues. Reckon I'll have any luck emailing WA for spares?