Ruger and allen screws

[AbitNutz]

I have a Ruger Old Army and take it apart down to the bones more often than my non-black powder revolvers. The result is that I'm really worried about the screw slots on the screws starting to get torn up.

Has anyone replaced their grip frame screws with allen heads? Walking into my local Ace hardware and trying to match them up is not going to be productive. They have a poor selection at best.

 

[Sport45]

What kind of screwdriver are you using? A proper fitting, hollow ground tip shouldn't cause any problems. You can probably buy grip screws from Brownell's if you want some spares.

 

[highorder]

If you don't have a Brownells/B Square/etc. gun-specific driver set, you really should pick one up. Here's the deal of the day.

 

[dagger dog]

Grace makes a Ruger Single action specific set of three screw drivers for under 30 $.

 

[BlkHawk73]

+1 to using the right tools. Do that and you don't need to worry.

 

[Jim K]

I don't know for sure, but I suspect Ruger would use screw thread sizes not available at the local hardware store.

FWIW, though, I would not use Allen screws. With use, unless the screw is very hard, the hole tends to round out and leave things in far worse condition than with a slot head screw. If you decide to change, and can find the right size, use Torx head screws, not Allen.

Jim

 

[CraigC]

Stick to the proper screws. Odds are those hardware store screws are untreated and won't last very long at all anyway, even if you can get the right thread pitch. You can get replacements from Brownells and while you're at it, get yourself a proper screwdriver set and you won't have to worry about it. Though you really don't need to take them apart that often.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

even if you can get the right thread pitch.

You won't. Almost all gun screws are 'gun specific" in that the thread pitch is only used in the firearms industry(some exemptions may apply). I use Torx where possible and "allen" (socket head) for action screws,specifically in Mauser 98 actions.