Bent stock tangs, tang screw stuck

[molesworth]

I have just acquired a Marlin model 39 made about 1928. Beautiful original rifle with a fine octagonal barrel, but some enthusiastic bunny buster has used it as a club and bent the buttstock slightly upward. The lever closes leaving a 3/8'' gap. I want to remove the buttstock by taking out the tang screw and carefully bending the tangs that hold the stock back into position. Trouble is that I can only unscrew the tang screw about 1/4 turn before it jams. It must be slightly bent too. I am reluctant to apply brute force. Can anyone suggest a way to proceed? Thank you. Alan

 

[rcmodel]

If you have access to a drill press, chuck a well fitting gunsmith screwdriver bit in the drill and use it to apply downward force to the screwdriver bit as you turn the chuck to back the screw out.

That prevents any chance of the screwdriver slipping & damaging the screw or receiver.

It will come out without damaging anything using this method!
I guaRonTee it!

rc

 

[rmfnla]

If the tangs have been bent only 3/8" then the screw should not be bent too badly. That being said, this sounds like a repair for someone with a bit of experience.

If you want to go for it you will essentally need to force the screw out; I cannot think of any other way.

Use a screwdriver that fits the screw head perfectly and gives alot of leverage and proceed slowly. rcmodel's suggestion to use a drillpress is a good one. You might hear some wood cracking while you do this. The experienced part is what will determine if it is OK to continue or not. The stock could be repaired if it splits but obviously you want to avoid that.

I had a 100% Stevens Favorite w/ tang sights that had a cracked stock because some moron had clubbed a rabbit rather than use a second shot. What is it with people hitting things with rifles?!

I love those old Model 39s; good luck with this one!