Author Topic: slowly stripping screws (Read 498 times)

Kens · « **on:** September 20, 2004, 12:07:35 AM »

I have a TC Encore and am trying to get the rear sight off to install a weaver mount. The slots for the screws holding the sight to the barrel have very narrow shallow slots that makes it hard to use a screw driver well. The slots are starting to strip because the metal is soft. I am afraid I will strip them so badly that I will not be able to unscrew them.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kens

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2004, 01:16:19 AM »

This is what I did to one that stripped on me. (I was in industrial maintenance for over 20 years and did this all the time.) Get a drill bit the size of the screw, drill the top of the screw head off. It will pop off when you hit the bottom of the taper on the screw head. Then you can remove the sight, and take a vice grip and unscrew the screw stud. It will come out easy because it has no pressure of the screw head on the sight.

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2004, 03:11:47 AM »

If you work on guns much you really need to get a good set of gunsmith screwdrivers with the hollow ground tip to fit the screws properly. Even with the correct screwdriver I have had a T/C sight screw that I had to drill out like Redhawk said to do. But without the hollow ground screwdrivers about any screw you take off a gun will end up with a messed up head.

Duffy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2004, 01:55:33 AM »

Here's a little tip that really helps, first use a good fitting screwdriver bit. In your case with the screw being boogerd up put a SMALL dab of valve grinding compound on the end of the bit. Make sure the bbl is sitting either in a vise or solid and work the bit into the screwslot and get it centered and square and apply downward pressure while working it. It'll sound a bit crunchy but that's what you want. Soon it will feel pretty solid. The compound will help the bit bite into the screw and you should be able to turn it right out. Make sure to carefully wash the compound off the gun, if you wipe it off it may scratch.
There use to be a place that sold little tubes of the stuff and for a demo they had a phillips screw that was almost round stuck in a vise grip. With the compound you could turn the screw in the grip.

Ryan

Kens · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:04:53 AM »

Thanks for all of the great advice. I decided to try the least extreme thing first by buying a Chapman screwdriver set at a local gun shop. The stripped screw came out on the first try! The set cost about $25 and has a large assortment of bits so I could find the perfect size for the screw slot. You guys are great.

Thanks Again, Kens

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2004, 12:02:00 PM »

Just the thought of some one using a regular screw driver on a fire arm makes my stomach churn. Theres noting worse than buggered up screws on a gun. KN

Duffy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:30:38 PM »

GOOD MAN!!! Fine tools are a pleasure to use and worth every penny!