Challis 1911 Bushing Extractor | for Easily Removing Grip bushings from 1911 Frames

This is exactly the tool I needed to remove a stubborn grip bushing from one of my 1911s. I wasn't able to budge the bushing with just a screw driver, so I stopped and ordered the Challis 1911 Bushing Extractor before I tore it up completely. Worked like a charm on the first attempt. I can see where this would also be great for doing bushing installs without messing the slot up. I'm going to order the one for slim bushings so I can be prepared ahead of time, since the ones I put in went in pretty tight. I'll be using a Challis tool any time I do an install or removal from now on.

I have long been a 1911 enthusiast...its safe to say, I have more than one. I am very familiar with the in's and out's of this pistol from top to bottom and the myriad of upgrades out there. I recently purchased another 1911 and once I got it home to give it an initial cleaning, I found one of the grip screws was cross-threaded into the bushing at the factory. I thought "Oh great!...it just had to be a screw bushing!" Before I started this project I searched for the proper tools and there are options out there but I opted for the Challis after some research and I am so glad I did! This tool makes this job a breeze and there is nothing out there comparable to it. There are tutorials out there to help you if you are unfamiliar. Take your time, do it right, use the proper tools! If you are a 1911 enthusiast, this tool is a great investment.

Follow their instructions and this will work better than you can imagine. I had low expectations for this since I had so much of an issue trying to get one of my bushings off a Springfield alloy framed gun. The bushing got a little messed up and a gave up. Finally bought this and the normal bushings so I could have my standard grips properly mounted without compensating for the slim bushings. Even the one bushing that had metal missing from when I messed it up with a screwdriver came out clean with no hassle. You can even slide the handle in and out on this so you avoid banging into your thumb safety when spinning out the bushings. Was skeptical but am now a believer.

I originally gave this product a 1 star rating because it would not remove any of the 4 slotted bushings I used it on. It only damaged the bushings and I had to use a Craftsman E-Z out bit to remove the bushings. I tried to use this tool to remove the bushings from my Springfield because I wanted to replace the slotted bushings with a set of Challis hex head bushings. This product would not loosen any of the 4 bushings and only damaged the tops of the bushings where the notches were. This happened on all 4 bushings. I finally had to use a Craftsman E-Z out reversing bit to remove the damaged bushings. This is a Challis product and is probably the best option for removing the slotted bushings used on many 1911's. I personally don't like the slotted bushings as they are easily damaged when you are trying to remove them and especially if they have Loctite on them. I prefer using the Challis hex head bushings since they are IMO much easier to work with. I have upgraded the review to 4 stars because it's not the tools fault that the bushings are made with the slots and are easily damaged even when using this tool. I have since tried removing the bushings on 2 other 1911's with this tool. One had Loctite on the bushings and one did not. The tool will work if the bushing don't have Loctite on them and if you go very slow, apply constant downward pressure and are very careful. If the bushings have Loctite on them, I would try using a small amount of heat to loosen the Loctite and then use this tool to slowly and carefully remove the bushings. I just didn't want to give this product an unfair review when it's probably the best option for removing the slotted bushings which are easily damaged.

Wow! Let me start by saying that there is so much more to a product than the physical item itself- a product backed by people like Brian Challis brings the entire experience up to a level that you just don’t come across often as a consumer.I am embarrassed to say that I was incorrectly using this tool and was ready to return it for a refund when I was very pleasantly greeted in an email from Brian himself. He explained to me the possibility of my incorrect use without making me feel talked down to. After admitting my incorrect use, he was still totally willing to take the return.I won’t go into too much detail, because I don’t want people to take advantage of Brian’s kindness, but he went above and beyond and has acquired a customer for life. I will gladly recommend this product to anyone, and eagerly look forward to the opportunity to give this gentleman my business again in the future.

Such a simple and perfect tool for the job.I had replaced my grips and added a magwell to my Kimber 1911. First time in I noticed the screws on the drivers side were not perfect. Tried to remove them without the tool and NO WAY does that work. This tool makes it simple. Remove screws and grips. Place socket over bushing, add supplied screw as you line up the grooves in the socket with the bushing. Tighten. DONT over tighten, but tighten. Put rod through socket, with even pressure turn counter clockwise. REMEMBER to make certain that the socket is in the grooves completely and screw is tight. My bushings were damaged so this took a little manipulation on 2 of the bushings, but with slow steady even pressure, it worked. Replaced with Dan Wesson bushings, which worked. Last note to users, be certain to try you magazines BEFORE reassembly so that if you need to back off of the bushings a rotation or two, you can do it easily. Mine are still snug and not moving with the loktite that was already in the old holes, so dont panic if you are not all the way tight on each bushing. Great Tool. Saved me lots of time and gunsmith money. Miracle tool.