Saiga Owners: Are all screws this tight?

[Deer Hunter]

I was attempting to take the stock off of my saiga today and found out that my attempts were in vain. The screws were much too tight for me to move. I bent one flat-head screwdriver on a screw (cheap screwdriver, I know) and when I got a heavier screwdriver, they still wouldn't budge. I stopped trying, fearing the damage I'd do to the head of the screw, but I was beginning to wonder if other owners have had simular experiences. How tough were the screws to get out? I've got the .223 Saiga, if that makes any difference.

 

[rbernie]

Mine weren't THAT hard on either my 223 or 308...

 

[poor_richard]

I haven't gotten around to taking the buttock off of mine yet but I did take off the forgrip last night and it was relatively easy.

 

[JWarren]

Mine was purchased converted, so no idea here. However, if you follow the link below on my signature and ask this question there, you'll get a lot more answers.

Those guys have forgotten more about Saigas than you or I will ever know...


John

 

[Deer Hunter]

I've tried as hard as I dare to release these things, and they are not budging. I'm on the Saiga forums right now about to ask. I'm no weakling, but maybe I'll try again tomorrow with a different flathead. The one I had may be slightly too thick to get into the groove deep enough, but even then I would still think these screws would be easier to get off.

 

[Drakejake]

You need to use one of those tools that slips a propeller type handle over the screw driver. I have one that came with a kit of various driver heads. Once I applied that tool, the screws came right out. I replaced the original stock with the Dragunov from Russia. I like it very much. Big improvement.

Drakejake

 

[rangerruck]

yes, they are pretty tough. first spray some lubricant, on the screws, then I know this will sound wrong, but try to tighten them a bit first, to 'break' the seal. then try to loosen them.

 

[KadicDeshi]

Mine was tough to remove as well. I broke one of my screwdrivers removing the original screws. What I ended up doing was to lock one of my stubby screwdrivers into a pair of vicegrips so I could get some leverage with one hand and pressed down on the top of the screwdriver handle with my other hand. I still managed to half-strip the head of one screw.

Good luck.

Barrett

 

[The Deer Hunter]

IIRC heat makes metal expand. Maybe if you pour some warm to hot water over the area the screws are located they might loosen. If there is Loctite on the threads the hot water might loosen that too.

 

[sgphoto]

Take a soldering iron/gun and place the tip on the screw. Heat up the screw for a few seconds.

I've used this for 30 years and have 90% success with tough screws.

Steve

 

[ScottsGT]

If there is LocTite, use acitone to break it up. But basically, you need gunsmith screwdrivers. I tried to bread a screw loose with a standard SD on my Uberti 1866 and it would not budge using a Craftsman SD. I ordered the proper screwdriver bits from Brownells, and it came right out like it was supposed to. It applies torque in the right places.