Suggestions - Stripped Screw on Marlin 1894 Receiver?

[OregonJohnny]

I have a brand-new Marlin 1894 (blued, .44 Magnum). I am trying to install the XS Ghost Ring sight set. First step is to remove the 2 rear "filler" screws on top of the receiver. Well, the first one came out OK, but the other one didn't. I carefully tried 2 or 3 different flat head screw drivers, applying different force, doing everything I could, and it wouldn't budge. Of course, now the screw head is stripped.

I bought a screw removal bit (with the bore bit on one end, and the threaded pointy bit on the other) that looks to be about 2/3 the diameter of the stripped screw. I removed the lever, bolt, and ejector from the rifle, so that there is no chance of going through the screw and down into the bolt.

I am going to attempt this tonight when I get home from work. Before I begin, does anyone have any suggestions? I've never used this type of tool before, and I really don't want to mess up and leave this screw hole unusable, as it is the main hole for screwing the new XS rear sight to the top of the receiver.

Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

I would get some penetrationg oil on it and then smack it a few times with a hammer on a screwdriver bit to jar loose the threads. Had you done that right off the bat, it would have come out easily.

Then try to tap it / turn it out with a small hammer & sharp punch.

It can't be that tight as there is nothing for a filler screw to tighten against.

If you have to use the Ez-Out, look on the Ez-Out itself.
They usually tell you what size drill to use right on them.

But you ain't had a problem yet until you break off an little bitty Ez-Out in a screw hole!!
They are harder then woodpecker lips, and simply cannot be drilled out if you break one off in the hole.

The filler screws on a Marlin are either 6x48 or 8x40. I forget which.

rc

 

[OregonJohnny]

Thanks for the suggestions, rc.

When you say:

Then try to tap it / turn it out with a small hammer & sharp punch.

What kind of "punch" are you talking about, and how do you recommend doing this? Are you taking about a standard tapered "pointy" metal punch?

The stripped filler screw is very small, maybe 4mm in diameter or less, and about 4 or 5mm deep. The head is a standard slotted head (for a flat-head driver), and there's hardly any wall left for a screw driver to twist against. That's why I assumed I'd need to bore it and use the EZ-out. But the bit was $13.99, and is in a sealed package. If I can get away with not using it, and being able to take it back, that would be great.

For penetrating oil, will WD-40 work? I've already tried this. How about heating for a while with a small lighter?

 

[NCsmitty]

A small sharp center punch, yes "pointy", and try to work the screw loose. Once it's loose, you should be able to grasp it and remove with your fingers.
Put some tape around the site and afford at least some protection from a slip.




NCsmitty

 

[Fleet]

Another suggestion would be to get a set of real gun screw drivers so you don't do this to yourself again.

 

[Chawbaccer]

I would try some heat on it, break out the big electric soldering gun, not the blow torch.

 

[OregonJohnny]

But you ain't had a problem yet until you break off an little bitty Ez-Out in a screw hole!!
They are harder then woodpecker lips, and simply cannot be drilled out if you break one off in the hole.

So, ummm, rcmodel (clears throat), what do you do if this happens?

I am ashamed, but it happened to me. I'm assuming my only solution at this point is a trip to the gunsmith. I really don't have the proper tools and experience to go any further. This XS Sight installation was supposed to be so simple! Now I have a broken $14 EZ-out bit inside of the screw hole, and I'll probably have to pay an arm and a leg and wait 2 weeks for the gunsmith to fix my problem.

 

[triggerman770]

had a gun come in with an EZout broke in the screw, and I bet when this fella gets the bill he will not try to use an EZ out till he gets his engineering degree

 

[OregonJohnny]

triggerman770

had a gun come in with an EZout broke in the screw, and I bet when this fella gets the bill he will not try to use an EZ out till he gets his engineering degree

So, am I "this fella?"

Thanks for the helpful advice.

 

[rcmodel]

So, ummm, rcmodel (clears throat), what do you do if this happens?

Well, I tried to warn you!

At this point, a lot of tapping and picking at it with small punches and dental picks is in order.

You will have to deform the hole in the screw enough with a hammer & punch for it to loosen it's grip and be picked out with a dental pick.

I would suggest you take it to a gunsmith at this point, before you totally mess up the hole & threads in the receiver.

rc

 

[SleazyRider]

Clamp it down on a vertical mill (preferred) or drill press and "spot" the top of the screw with a tiny end mill so the bit doesn't walk. Index the screw center and center drill. Then using a reverse drill bit (if you must do it by hand use this, too) and depth stop, drill the screw. Try the EZ-out, but don't count on it working; instead, without disturbing you center index, drill up a few steps until you're almost to the thread. Again without changing your indexing, chuck the appropriate tap or use a center and hand tap.

This is what I would try first. If it doesn't work, and assuming you don't have an EDM, other methods are available.

Never had much luck with penetrants myself.

 

[rcmodel]

But see, he already now has a broken EZ-Out stuck in the hole!!

rc

 

[Luke G]

This just happened to me!! Only with a .357 1894 (same XS Sight). After destroying 2 bits and damaging the screw slot, I was able to get mine to move by letting it soak with a good penetrating oil (Kroil, etc.). After a few hours of dripping oil on the area, I was able to tap the screw out using a small hardened puch and a hammer.

Good Luck!

PS: The XS sight is really nice on the little carbines. I have them on all my Marlins.

Luke

 

[exospex]

At this point, the next step would be to use a vertical mill and nibble out that hardened easy-out with a small carbide end mill. Then, as RC suggested, use some small picks and punches to get the remaining bits of easy-out and screw out of the hole.