Winchester 1897 Action Slide Screw hole

[ahedgpe]

I have an old winchester 1897 that has the action slide with 3 screws that holds the forend on. One of the screw holes is stripped out. I've tried rebuilding the threads with jb weld, tried some aluminum to tighten it up, etc.

I don't believe helicoils are made that small... Any other ideas to be able to tighten it down, but still be able to take it off in the future?

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I have an old winchester 1897 that has the action slide with 3 screws that holds the forend on. One of the screw holes is stripped out. I've tried rebuilding the threads with jb weld, tried some aluminum to tighten it up, etc.

I don't believe helicoils are made that small... Any other ideas to be able to tighten it down, but still be able to take it off in the future?

I've opened the hole and brazed in a steel patch and also brazed others closed and D&T'd the brazing then green-loctited the affair to make up for the lack of torque applied to the brazed threads.

Both ran very well in CAS over-use scenarios.

I didn't want to apply too much heat that goes with most any other option open to me.

These days, I shouldn't be surprised that some of the new electro or electro/gas wonder welders aren't a better option.

Todd.

 

[ahedgpe]

I've opened the hole and brazed in a steel patch and also brazed others closed and D&T'd the brazing then green-loctited the affair to make up for the lack of torque applied to the brazed threads.

Both ran very well in CAS over-use scenarios.

I didn't want to apply too much heat that goes with most any other option open to me.

These days, I shouldn't be surprised that some of the new electro or electro/gas wonder welders aren't a better option.

Todd.

If I braze it closed, any idea what size drill and tap would be needed, to reuse the existing screw?

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

If I braze it closed, any idea what size drill and tap would be needed, to reuse the existing screw?

Sorry but, I did them a long time ago and sold my last 3-screw a while back. So, I unfortunately have noting to measure anymore.

If you have an ACE hardware (or maybe others) they will have thread gages with their hardware for customers to compare existing threads with in-store options.

As hose are quite short, I'd use a gage that you thread your screw into rather than the standard thread pitch gage that you hold against the threads.

Once you know your thread pitch - the necessary drill & tap are a matter just buying the set for that if you don't already have a tap&die set.

In any case, the machinists' tables for the required D&T are all over the internet.

Todd.

 

[ahedgpe]

Well, I had the hole welded up and I drilled and tapped with a 5/32 drill and 10-32 NF tap. Couldn't be happier! Hopefully the drill and tap size will help someone else out, as I couldnt find exact info on the screw size and pitch. Thanks for your help!