I gotta be stupid or somethin!

[redhawk0]

I went hunting with my '73 Winchester 94 over the past few weeks in the North Country of NH. Sunday it was sleeting, snowing, and pouring rain.

I get home...decided to strip it down removing all parts for cleanup of moisture. In the process of putting it back together....I overtorqued the loading gate screw....I tightened it until it snapped off...then backed off a 1/4 turn....yikes.

So... I went on the hunt for a new loading gate screw...the only ones I found were on Ebay...no one seems to have these any more. Brownells, Midway, Numrich...all dead ends..... I ended up buying 2 of them...did it once....I'll likely do it again.

redhawk

[Bazoo]

I have a spare of that myself, though I've not broken mine yet. I have visions of stripping the threads in the loading gate however and want a spare gate too.

[Kev18]

Don't panic! Iv'e done it... multiple times.
I have all old rifles, and the screw heads usually snap off. The metal weakens and SNAP.

Winchester 1886...
Winchester 1887...

They've all had repairs. Screws topped off sadly. If you are really in need, I mig welded the top of a screw and filed the shape back along with the notch. Looks factory.

try Homestead parts. They have all original parts. but screws usually work with repros. I paid 50$ for two forend cap screws for my 86... But hey, they are originals. You arent dumb, i definetly am. I panic and go find the parts I need and impulse buy.

[Winger Ed.]

..I tightened it until it snapped off...then backed off a 1/4 turn...

You need a little more practice with a 'audio torque wrench'.

You use them to tighten something until it just barely chirps. Then back it off 1/4 turn.


Also, instead of stupid, I prefer using the term; 'misunderstood'.:bigsmyl2:

[nagantguy]

Stupid- no sir you tended to your gear when it needed cared for; I’ve broken a screw or two myself- just can’t find the right hammer to get them started sometimes!

[redhawk0]

Hahaha...you guys are pretty funny...yeah...I think I've learned my lesson on this one...I'll be using the screwdriver bit without the handle for tightening the loading gate screws from now on. It doesn't need to be "wrenched on" like I did.

and yes...I'm missunderstood....(I've been missunderstood for over 30 years now...at least that's what I keep telling her) :bigsmyl2:

I'll have to look up homestead parts...I appreciate the info.

[EDIT] - yup...they got 'em. I've got this one bookmarked for sure.
http://homesteadparts.com/shopcart/pid_1181.htm


redhawk

[Bazoo]

I have a tendency to be heavy handed with screws so anything I'm leery of breaking I use 1 finger and my thumb on the driver to tighten.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I reach for my torque measuring screwdriver whenever a screw is smaller than #8. It is surprising how small the torque numbers are for the small screws. On older firearms new to me I soak all screws with some penetrant - ATF, Liquid Wrench, Sili-Kroil, whatever you prefer before attempting disassmbly. Worst culprit for me is the firing pin retaining screw on the Savage 99. It is staked and the head may break in half at the screw slot. Heat, oil, tapping, all those techniques yet sometimes an old screw just does not co-operate. Been there 50 or 100 years, why move now?

[DDJ]

I hope you're not stupid because that's one of the things that can't be fixed! Thanks for the link to Homestead! I was looking all over for a small caliber magazine hanger for my 1892 Winchester. By Golly they had them:-D