Broken band bolt (Winchester 94)

[vega]

I have a Winchester 94 and the front barrel band screw broke in half. No problem removing the side with head but the other side is still screwed in. I tried removing the magazine but it won't turn since the screw is between the barrel and magazine slot. Is there an easy way of removing this? Pic is somewhat similar.

 

[Misfire99]

I would use a drill press with a good vise and reverse rotation drills. If you do get a bite on the remaining part of the screw it just might come out with the reverse rotation. Make sure that the barrel and magazine tube is well supported and that the rifle action is also supported. Don't want anything to move and break the bit, this make things worse.

 

[rcmodel]

I would first try a very small & sharp center-punch and see if you can tap it in the right direction to unscrew it. Hose it down with penetrating oil and get an off-center punch mark started on the end, then just keep tapping to unscrew it.

Very often, once you get the old dried oil in the threads & barrel/mag slot to pop loose, you can easily finish unscrewing it with the tip of a scribe by pushing on the off-center punch dent.

Failing that, you will have to drill it out, and hope for the best.
But it's a very small screw, in a very small hole, and the drill drifting off center will be hard to avoid before you get all the way through the band.

Once you get it out, you can get a replacement screw from Wisner's.
http://www.wisnersinc.com/rifles/winchester/94.html


rcmodel

 

[Jim K]

If worst comes to worst, you can get a new band from most parts suppliers, but they are not cheap, running around $16. If you have to drill and get the hole too big, it is possible to recut the barrel slot and replace the screw with a larger one.

Jim

 

[vega]

I will have to get a new band but how do I pass it through the front site?

 

[rcmodel]

You will have to remove the magazine tube first so it will flip upside down and slide off over the sight ramp.


rcmodel

 

[Jim K]

The magazine tube has the same kind of cross slot as the barrel. If you got the old screw out, then you should be able to do as rcmodel says. Otherwise you will have to drill or get the old screw out someway, as the band won't go anywhere unless you get it out.

Jim

 

[vega]

Quick update for those interested

So I use my trusty dremel and attached a pointed sand stone and with the use of light magnifier and steady hand I sanded the surface of the broken bolt and put a ding on the middle. Why not a center punch you asked? I don't have one. With 1/16" drill bit I started drilling slowly with just enough pressure just to make it bite and make sure it stays center. Once it bit, I use high power to keep the bit straight but still with just enough pressure. It didn't take long the bolt starts rotating with the bit and went straight thru the other side.

Thanks all for those who replied.