Screw removal with Locktite

rballi

February 14, 2003 04:52

I have a Ruger MKII pistol, and I want to replace the front sight. Actually, I have three, but this is the only one giving me trouble. I bought the gun used and I'm guessing the front sight screw has locktite or something on the screw. It just won't budge. I'm at the point where I'm just starting to buger the screw. Before I really mess it up, does anyone have any pointers on removing it?

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  uncle milo

  February 14, 2003 05:08

  if it is loc-tight a little heat will soften it up. 200- 300 degrees should be plenty. but not if you have plastic sights or inserts.

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  TED GAR

  February 14, 2003 05:17

  Yes heat up the barrel, not to hot, don't want to discolor the gun, and then, then get and ice cube, and touch the screw. The screw should shrink, and the barrel will be enlarged. If that doesn't work then you will have to drill and use an easy-out.

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  woodsrunner

  February 14, 2003 05:21

  Rather than the ice cube, you may find a canned air easier and less messy. Just look for one that is freon based, it will be cold enough to do the job.
  
  Woods

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  Sunray

  February 14, 2003 06:43

  Heat will still loosen the Locktite even with a plastic sight. It'll just give you the opportunity to put on a new sight. An ice cube will just melt and get the whole thing wet.

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  Pearyw

  February 14, 2003 07:10

  Take a small electric soldering iron and touch the hot tip to the screw head for about 15 seconds. This will heat the locktite and break it loose. You don't have to heat the whole barrel.

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  Mobuck

  February 14, 2003 13:37

  I agree with the previous post about using a soldering iron. Don't heat the barrel.
  
  Mobuck

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  bluewaterhunter

  February 14, 2003 18:01

  The end of a hot glue gun on the screw will also work if you do not have a soldering iron.
  
  Good luck.
  
  
  
  "Lead, Follow, Or Get Out Of The Way."
  
  Charlie

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  Guns & Glass

  February 15, 2003 03:18

  In addition, use a quality (not WD-40) penetrating oil letting it soak into the threaded joint. Give it 30 minutes! It can wick itself between the 'Locktite'(if there), screw, and/or barrel, reducing effort, and damage.
  
  If 'Locktite' isn't there, it will still help, since heating up the screw will cause a 'tighter fit' you don't want to further 'bugger up' the screw head.
  
  BUT FIRST - FIRST - FIRST...........,
  Form the screwdriver tip to the shape, and slot size!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  You can also use a gritty oil compound (course to extra fine valve grinding compounds work good)that will give increased gripping power.
  
  
  
  Happy Bullet Holes!

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  p3skyking

  February 15, 2003 11:27

  Acetone seems to work on real loctite as well as emergency loctite (Wife's Clear Enamal Nail Polish!).

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  rballi

  February 17, 2003 04:51

  Thanks for the tips, but nothing worked. Maybe it wasn't locktite?
  
  Soaked overnight with oil. Heated with lightbulb for about 1/2 hour. Tried soldering iron for about a minute; cold screwdriver, room temp screw driver; tapped with hammer, etc, etc, etc.
  
  Used a gun destroyer, um I mean Dremel, and hacked off the sight in front and behind the screw. Cut the corners off the screw and still no luck. Had to twist it off with pliers. Got lucky, the head didn't snap, but the tip of the threads did, I think. I say this because when I put on the new hi viz sight, it did not tighten up. I saw nothing red or blue in color on the threads; it was kinda opaque or yellowish white. I used a shorter screw and had to shim the sight. It's snug now, but I still might try and shorten the screw even more and remove the shim before I use regular locktite.
  
  Moral of the story, try removing your front sight first, before you decide to replace it.

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