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Stuck screw

Laredo Lefty
I have a stuck grip screw on a K frame Smith I just picked up. The screw head was already somewhat buggered up, and its super tight making it impossible to remove.

Does anyone have a trick method of getting these out?. I don't care if I destroy the screw in the process as I have spares.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • dcs shooters
    Use a small stone in a Dremel and grind down, then drill head off and pull through.
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  • Oakie
    How bad is the screw boogered up[?]. You can try two methods. First try tapping it with a hammer and screw driver very lightly and backing it out or you could heat it up and back it out. Take an old screw driver and hold it on the screw and then apply heat to the other end with an propane tourch. You will see the screw driver heat up and transfer the heat to the screw and then back it out.I have done this several times and it works really well. Oak
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  • Bert H.
    Hello Laredo,

    Before you start grinding on the screw, try putting a few drops of Kroil on both ends of the screw. Let it sit for several hours, then try removing it. I also recommend that you try peening the buggered edges of the screw head back into place with a fine tip steel punch. Another trick you should try (it takes an extra set of hands) is to lightly rap on the end of the screwdriver with a lightweight hammer while attempting to turn it.
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  • 45er
    Howdy Laredo,

    Agree with all the above, though myself would start out with the less robust methods first. Patience is the key.

    Using the Kroil, let it set up even a couple days, replenishing if seen to sink in. During this time, (and before getting down to serious torqueing), keep tapping lightly and quickly with screwdriver/hammer to set up a vibration while applying light twisting motion for a few minutes. Now and then, even apply a bit twist in the "tightening" direction, but not much. Walk away, come back later and do it again.
    EDIT Perryshooter... "Please be careful with both Heat or Tapping...". Right you are, is why I stressed "light" taps, time, and patience.
    45er
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  • Hawkshaw
    Laredo Lefty
    Kroil is great. Get an impact driver that is designed for this purpose. Select the correct blade, and be patient. getting the screw to back out is a WAYYYYYY better idea than twisting it off!!! HAWKSHAW
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  • charliemeyer007
    Sometimes you can jig up a drill prerss to apply down pressure while you manually try and back out the screw with a bit ground to fit the cleaned screw slot. Heat and soak are your friends.
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  • savage170
    If somebody used locktight on it I have used a soldering iron on the on the screw to loosen it up and sometimes if you can get a slight turn tigher it will back right out
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  • perry shooter
    Please be careful with both Heat or Tapping Better to drill just the head with a drill press or dremel Then Crack a hard to replace pair of grips or melt the grips around the nut. Many grips are VERY easy To ruin and costly to replace.If you start tapping with a hammer on a set of Factory Single action Carved Mother of Pearl grips it WILL cost you money[:(!]
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  • Wolf.
    Hi Laredo,

    Here is what I would do, in sequence. You must work quickly at the critical times, which are obvious:

    Find a gunsmithing screwdriver or driver bit (NOTE: a regular mechanic's screwdriver is NOT what you want) that fits the head perfectly. Perfect thickness of the drive blade, perfect width of the blade. Grind one to fit, if you have to.

    Using an old screwdriver, put the blade in the slot and apply heat with a torch to the screwdriver (a process previously noted) in order to heat up the screw without damaging anything.

    Afer the screw is heated up (do NOT get it red hot, just get it very warm to hot), rest the gun in a folded towel on a firm surface. Put your gunsmithing driver that fits perfect in the screw slot and strike it sharply (just a few sharp raps, NOT sledgehammer blows, please AND, do not let the driver jump out of the slot). Be careful doing this.

    You should have obtained from an electronic parts house or maybe radio shack, I don't know if they have it, a spray can of freeze spray. This stuff is used in the manufacture and repair of circuit boards. It can burn your hands by freezing skin and flesh, so be careful. Put the little tube in the spray can nozzle and give the screw a one or two second spray of this stuff. Now CAREFULLY try to carefully use your perfect-fit driver to turn the screw. You should be pressing hard and using utmost caution.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    OK, I got it out. Thanks to all for your imput. I drilled a hole into the head of the screw, then used one of those back-out bits I picked up at Home Depot.
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