This seems fairly straight forward to me, but perhaps I'm missing something. I would like to beef up the screw that holds in the bolt release mechanism on my Howa 1500. (I've attached a picture showing the screw.) I've broken it off before and, despite having it fixed, I am not comfortable with it after seeing how small and easy the screw is to break.

Could a larger screw hole simply be made in the tang to accommodate a larger and more resilient screw? Is there another option and/or has anyone done something like this before?

Normally I wouldn't bother on a rifle like this, but it was my first rifle, so it has a lot of sentimental value.

Thanks for the input.

Put a socket head screw in it; those are grade 5 at least and you won't break it. Might have to grind the head to fit. What size is it now and is there room for a bigger one?

I believe it is a shoulder bolt so if you replace it you will need to either find a bolt with the same size shoulder or provide a bushing for the screw to go through. The shoulder supplies the bearing surface for the pivot. I could be wrong as I am not familiar with the Howa. That is just how I would build it as a mechanic.

Just go easy on slamming back that bolt.

quote:

Just go easy on slamming back that bolt.

That's what Howa told me ... didn't like that response.

The bolt is indeed a shoulder bolt. The head shown in the picture is a bit deceiving as the threaded section is substantially smaller then the head of the screw.

A really good toolmaker, machinist or gun smith
could drill and ream that hole for a larger dowel pin.

The dowel pin will need a groove for a snap ring like you see on the top of the trigger housing.
Drill and ream the bolt release if needed.

The larger unthreaded dowel pin should be about 1/8" in dia but you might be able to squeeze in something larger. In any event if the work is done well you will never break it again.
If you do not like the light weight snap ring there are heavy duty grip rings that are about 10 times stronger.

Maybe you just had an over-hardened screw the first time. You might try annealing the screw to improve it's impact resistance.

Making a larger screw and drilling out the hole in the stop would help. Welding up the stop behind where the screw goes through then fitting it so that it contacts the receiver and takes the shock load off the screw would help as well. Regards, Bill.