Broken Grip Frame Screw

[Trooper Glen]

Hello all, I just bought a Bisley second hand and I removed the grip frame to work on the trigger. I found the grip frame screws reversed and the longer screw with the reduced section that secures the hammer pin was broken off. It is just less than .100 below the frame, I was thinking about drilling it out. Is this more complicated than I think. Also I do not believe the dealer was aware of this broken screw, so I don't view it as his problem. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I am no expert but I would try drilling the screw and using an easy-out to remove the screw. I had to do that on an ejector housing screw that broke off in the barrel.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Precision in centering the drilled hole is the problem. If the hole is not exactly centered in the broken screw the easy out will lock the broken piece in even tighter.
This is best done in a milling machine by an experienced operator.

There are places who have an EDM machine ( electronic Discharge machining)that can remove that broken screwwithout damage to the threads in the reciever.
I had this done to a Win mod. 12 that had a broken off screw in it. I had it done by a
Authorized Winchester repair company in the midwest. I will see if I can find their name and report it here.....

Call NewLine Guns in MO. They did a wonderful job on mine. They also weld up holes drilled in guns where Bubba mounted a scope or sight in an otherwise valuable gun. I had one done and reblued and it was just as if they were never there.

The best thing would be to return it to the dealer to see if he will take it back or deal with you on the cost of repairs. An honest dealer will work with you on this.

 

[Diamondtreo]

What is the condition of the broken off section? Is it bottomed out in the hole or did it break from over-tightening? I have had luck using an electro-engraving machine (the vibrating type, not an electrical arc-etching setup) in getting the broken off stub to back out of the hole without drilling. You will need a sharp tip on the tool - touch the tip to the broken off screw (usually below the surface of the base material) and move it in a counter-clockwise motion. The vibrating tool will impart enough energy to move the broken screw and back it out of the hole. Try this before you attempt to drill or EDM. It was explained to me that most screws break off from over-tightening and unless bottomed out in the hole are actually somewhat loose. Anyway, it is a cheap alternative that I have found to work quite well.

 

[Slenk]

Left hand twist drill bit will take a screw out real easy.
Don't try to drill the screw out with these just use enough pressure for the bit to grab the screw, and it will back right out.

 

[Trooper Glen]

Thank you for the information.

 

[NitroAcres]

I had one broke off in a OM.45...TIG'd it up and backed it out...took 5 min.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Nice, a three screw SS Vaquero. Those are rare!

 

[NitroAcres]

Nice, a three screw SS Vaquero. Those are rare!

All them silver guns start to look alike...pulled the pic off my PB, didn't notice it was my NicklePlated .45....so..I fixed two of them..OldAge is set in firmly.

I get to remove a few broke bolts, taps, EZouts around here.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

That is amazing, thanks for posting.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I also have used that trick to remove broken bolts. Once I removed a stub of a broken axle from a Ford Tractor by using a long steel rod held against the broken piece and attaching the welder lead to the end of the rod momentarily ,causing the rod to weld itself to the broken piece. That saved a many hour tear down on that tractor.