I tried to take the crane screw out of my 638 airweight and it wouldn't budge. Its in there. I tried soaking it with penetrating oil but I think the problem is tension.

Last month I had two reloads that I thought might have been double loads. The intended load was 125g round nose lead. This is a 38 +p gun. 4.8g of H-38 makes for a 1071 fps round. 9.6 of H-38 makes for excitement.

How should I go about this so I can avoid stripping the head? I wish there were allen heads for these screws.

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Seems unlikely that an overload caused this. There maybe a bulged charge hole there, however.
This sounds more like steel/alloy seizure. Been through this on motorcycle engines more than once.
All 'penetrating oils" are not created equal. Kroil has worked well for me more than once in tough spots. Give it enough time to work.
Spot heating the screw with a soldering gun tip may also help, breaking the threads free through expansion/contraction.
A properly fitting, hollow ground screwdriver is a must. Forget hardware store drivers.
With the driver in the screw slot, hit the butt of it a sharp rap with a hammer. Shock helps.
When turning the screw, have the gun securely blocked in place on your bench.
Then try TIGHTENING the offending screw just a bit. Sometimes breaks them loose. Press down with heavy pressure while simultaneously turning it.
Then try to turn it free.
Allen heads are not the answer. I have probably had more of them strip than slotted screws.
If all else fails, its time to visit the local 'smith.
Good luck

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Thanks for the tips. I used the tap but nothing. I heated the screw with a soldering iron. Nothing. I realized the screw had a tiny movement so I ran it in and soaked it in Dupont Telfon pentrating oil. Every 30" for so I ran it up or down with more oil. It finally came out.

No marks on the screw and it went back it like nothing happened. Good way to kill 3 hours.

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Glad to hear that you got the screw out. Looks like you put in a few hours there, and you managed to not break it.

In the past I have used a square shafted driver and a grip clamped to the shaft. With that setup you can pretty much bring all of your weight to bear on the driver for downward 'no slip' pressure and then use the handles on the grip for rotational force.

Just a thought for future use. I too have spent many an hour trying to get cross-heads, flat heads and hex heads out of various pieces of machinery.

Best regards,

Rob in Texas.

i too am a fan of kroil....good stuff

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

It might be a good idea to replace the screw with a new one in case you fatigued it a bit removing it.