Buggered Grip Screws?

[Death-Ace]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering how many else out there have trouble with grip screws? Whether it be for a vintage or a modern firearm. When I was trying to remove them from my father's Series 80 (which he has graciously passed to me) a year or two ago, two were just stuck. I managed to get them out, but not without buggering them up. Needless to say, it made me feel sick to my stomach but I figure I may replace the grips (leave the old ones in the case) one day. Used the right size screwdriver, but still irks me! If any sweet ending to the story, she got a well overdue cleaning in that area.

Has anyone else experience the same with their firearms or wonder how many collectibles have had the same done?

Lev

[rajko84]

What I would normaly do is put few drops on oil on the screws and let it sit over night. And that normaly works great for me. Oil socked inside of the hole and would help if there is a dirt or rust buildup.

[me6_130]

If you heat a screwdriver and you warm the screws a bit, the oil will go in and help to release them.

Carles

[Johnny Peppers]

A good set of screwdrivers ground for screw removal should be a requirement for anyone collecting guns. Your normal hardware store screwdriver is wedge shaped for doing a variety of jobs around the house. The gun screwdriver is ground so that the edge is parallel where it enters the screw slot. The more pressure is applied to the wedge shaped screwdriver bit, the more it tries to back out of the screw slot.

[wmmyers]

hollow ground

The Gun Screw Driver Kit I use is from Chapman mfg co. Durham, conn set no. 9600. I purchased this kit in the 80's and have buggered no more screws. The kit should have instructions how to match up the bit to the screw. The kit I have has numerous bits with a ratchet handle. Use the right tool and the right lubricant and you will bugger no more screws.
Regards
Bill

[MikeP]

Patience and the right tool are good things.

[juoneen]

Chapman set is the shiznick for all gun assembly and dissassembly, you have been properly advised, and don't let it happen again. Ps. follow the directions in the kit to the letter, and buy a new set ,not a used one , unless experienced in using that particular set. I have seen them sell from 12. to 20.00, but i would say they may be more like 25 to 30. now. Worth every penny. i would assume online they would be readily available , and you should be able to shop around for the best price.

[Larry Dickson]

The Gun Screw Driver Kit I use is from Chapman mfg co. Durham, conn set no. 9600. I purchased this kit in the 80's and have buggered no more screws. The kit should have instructions how to match up the bit to the screw. The kit I have has numerous bits with a ratchet handle. Use the right tool and the right lubricant and you will bugger no more screws.
Regards
Bill

Truth!
A buggered set of grip screws on a Series 80 was all it took for me to learn to get the right tools for the right job.

[pitts duncan]

solution

patience, solvent , inquire before attempt, and ask advice as attempts prove fruitless.. see my post about broom handle a few days back

[tmca05]

The right tool and the right quality for the job. Whoever said..."...a screwdriver is just a screwdriver" obviously wasn't a gunsmith. Every gunsmith knows that using the right screwdriver for the job saves time, effort, and saves damage to valuable firearms and accessories.

Fig. 1 Choose screwdrivers designed specifically for the mounting of scope sights and other common gunsmithing requirements. Gunsmiths' screwdrivers will be properly dimensioned to handle those unique tasks. Nothing is more frustrating than a bruised scope mount, a distorted screw, or the white metal showing through the finish of an expensive scope which has been subjected to a damaging mounting job. (Note: Our screwdrivers are not the double wedge type, swedged on a punch press as shown in figures 2, 3 and 4.)

Fig. 2 & 3. A design such as this will damage your work if the screw is difficult to remove.

Fig. 4 The double wedge type transmits its torque to the top of the screw slot. With such a small area contacting the screwdriver, the screw will be scored or one of the sections of the screw head will break off if heavy pressure is applied. This wedge shape also tends to back the driver out of the screw slot.

Fig. 5 illustrates what happens when too narrow and thin a blade that is too narrow is used.

Fig. 6 The Forster screwdriver in fig. 6 is ideal. The torque is applied at the bottom of the slot where the screw is strongest. The blade fills the slot. The blade is the same width as the shank as shown in fig. 1. It has the same radius so it will not damage your work or mark the screw.

[Death-Ace]

Thanks for all your help guys! Unfortunately, when I was disassembling the pistol, I was using "gunsmithing" screwdrivers (not sure of the brand) hoping it'd do the job. Fit the slot perfectly...bit I may have been raising it while unscrewing. I will have to get that Chapman set one day. If anything, it fidn't bigger it up completely but left the indentations that tcma05 has shown. It's sad that I can treat all our other firearms well, but with my fav, she's had the worst treatment, but looks new. All in part of being a carry piece and a possible candidate for a Clark hardball job...or not!

Many thanks!
Lev

[Johnny Peppers]

The grip screws are the easiest and least expensive to replace of anything on the pistol.

[james m]

The grip screws are the easiest and least expensive to replace of anything on the pistol.

I agree: Get a new set of screws and chalk this up to experience. The point I think everyone is trying to make here is NOT all firearms screws are inexpensive or easily replacable. Bugger up a few on a hand crafted double shotgun and you'll learn a expensive lesson.
There are ways to repair buggered screws but I'll save that for another time.
Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

Removing grip screws and taking apart an expensive shotgun are worlds apart. Using the proper screwdriver applies in both cases though.

[james m]

Removing grip screws and taking apart an expensive shotgun are worlds apart. Using the proper screwdriver applies in both cases though.

My above post was to simply point out that messing up screws can be an expensive mistake depending upon the type of gun. I think most of the membership here is smart enough to know they're "worlds apart" (production vs custom made firearms) in the financial realm without having to specifically state this.
Jim