Odin
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,068
|
Post by Odin on Nov 29, 2019 18:18:10 GMT -5
I recently picked up a Smith 442 as part of a mulit-gun deal in order to pick up a Harton 3-screw conversion. Just realized the grip screw is missing it's head and wondered what's the best way to remove it, short of driving over to the gunsmith...
|
|
|
|
Post by seminolewind on Nov 29, 2019 21:00:25 GMT -5
If the screw head is completely gone, try tapping the sideplate with a plastic screw driver handle. Tap pretty hard on the same side of the gun with the broken screw head. The grip panel should loosen. This won't work if any of the screw head is still present.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2019 15:10:15 GMT -5
You may be able to get it out with a left-hand drill bit that matches the size of the screws threaded portion itself. Run it backwards in a power drill, they usually grab the screw at the break point & spin it out. It kind of amazing to watch, but it usually works.
|
|
Odin
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,068
|
Post by Odin on Dec 2, 2019 15:49:34 GMT -5
You may be able to get it out with a left-hand drill bit that matches the size of the screws threaded portion itself. Run it backwards in a power drill, they usually grab the screw at the break point & spin it out. It kind of amazing to watch, but it usually works. I'm thinking this is going to be the route to take on this one. The grips are wrap-around rubbers, so trying to spin the panel only works enough to "unlock" the screw. It's going to need a left hand bit to spin it out. |
|
|
|
Post by 98redline on Dec 22, 2019 8:35:26 GMT -5
Depending if you care about the existing grips or not, you could use a dremel with a thin abrasive disk to cut a new slot in the shank of the broken off screw. This should give you enough bite to get out the old screw unless the reason the original sheared off was due to thread binding. The downside is that the rubber grips would get trashed in the process.
|
|
|
|
Post by magpouch on Jan 9, 2020 6:37:26 GMT -5
Take a sharp (well pointed) tool and set the tip on the edge of the screw. Then use it (the tip) to unscrew the screw. You may need to use a sharp punch and GENTLY tap the screw around until you can do it by hand. If you have it broken free at all this should work easily. I generally have good luck with this method if the screw is not held tight by friction or corrosion.
|
|
