Help!!! I stripped mine out while changing mounts. Anyone know what size they are called? I'm sure my local "have everything" hardware store should have them, but what's left of mine won't help them. Are the one's with the torx head better or worse than the allen heads? Suggestions, please.
Thanks, Jeff

well I am wondering if the have everything hardware store will have what you look for. screws can be 6-40 6-48 8-40, and can be fillister head, cap, or even weaver oval head, or possibly others as well...I personally thin the torx offer less chance of stripping out the drive engagement area...more surface area......good luck...bob

On the TC it is a 6-48 thread. An "oversize 6-48" tap is available for just such a mini disaster and can usually be employed to solve the problem if the hole isn't too wallowed out. You will need a "bottom" type tap to thread all the way down to the bottom of the hole.

Most competent gunsmiths can cure this problem so it may be worth a trip to your local smith. If you tackle it yourself, be very careful not to break the new tap off in the hole. Use a good cutting oil while tapping.

You'll also need to aquire the oversize screws in the right head configuration and length. This is why you're better off taking it to a smith.

Regards

[ 02-26-2003, 19:01: Message edited by: Headstamp ]

Yes, 6-48 is the thread pitch. You won't find them at a hardware store. The gun industry is the only place they are used. You'll have to go to a gunsmith or order replacements yourself.

I suspect it's the screws that are stripped rather than the barrel. However, if it's the barrel, you would be better off having a gunsmith drill and tap the holes out to 8-40.

VVG Jeff,
I'd like to take exception to the idea of going to 8-40 screws IF it is a Contender barrel in question.

When the screw hole depth (thread contact area) becomes less than the diameter of the screw, it is very prone to stripping out. This is what you get when you increase the screw diameter to No. 8. Great for Encores, but not Contenders.

Plus, with the 40 pitch thread, you have somewhat less thread as opposed to the 48 pitch.

I have done the 8-40s in the Contenders, and consider it pretty "uncool."

If the screw holes are stripped out, it is best to order the .146"x48 "oversize 6x48" tap from Brownell's and the appropriate .146"x48 screws.

The idea behind the oversize screw is that it has the same thread pitch as the original, thus making it easy to just deepen the existing threads without increasing the hole diameter any more than absolutely necessary.

Jules is correct about a bottom tap. As I recall, you will have to grind off the end of the tap Brownell's sells, and this can be tricky if you are to get it to cut to the bottom of the hole.

Worst part about the .146x48 screws is the fact that Brownells only sells long ones and it is a pain cutting them to the right length, which, btw, should give you 4 to 4 1/2 threads' contact. I have a little mini chop saw that stays set up just for cutting screws.... quite a handy little gift that "Stan" left with me on a trip through here. Thanks again, Stan, if you are onboard.

Much of the time holes strip out simply because the screws are not long enough to get enough thread contact in the first place.

Mike