I tried to remove this side plate screw from early non model marked S&W model 12. 1/2 of slotted tip broke off. Luckly other side left and I was able to grab with small vice grip.
I broke a side plate screw
- Thread starter Toyman
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Wow, never seen that before. Glad that worked out for you.
AJ
US Veteran
You are lucky to be able to get it out, without a lot of work. Your LGS may have some spares. Or look at Brownell's. While you are at it, buy a Lotto ticket!!
Did you feel like you were putting excessive torque on the screw or did it surprise you?
OP
I don't think the screw had been removed since gun was assembled in 1953. The other 3 were also hard to remove but this one was the worst.
Using a good Grace hollow ground screw driver. I think that there might have been a flaw in the screw.
When it snapped quite a Suprise !
Using a good Grace hollow ground screw driver. I think that there might have been a flaw in the screw.
When it snapped quite a Suprise !
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Interesting. Congrats on getting it removed without drama.
As someone who has removed the side plate on more than one 70+ year old revolver for what I assume to be the first time, I’ve broken and/or bent a few screwdriver tips, but this is a new one for me.
As someone who has removed the side plate on more than one 70+ year old revolver for what I assume to be the first time, I’ve broken and/or bent a few screwdriver tips, but this is a new one for me.
Oldengineer
Member
A clean break like that suggests hydrogen embrittlement. A close look at 20x magnification would tell. That’s a screw manufacturing process error.
oberon
Member
Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky.
I probably woulda done something a little different.
I woulda freaked out. And then panicked.
There is a great sense of relief associated with solving that kind of problem.
Well done.
I probably woulda done something a little different.
I woulda freaked out. And then panicked.
There is a great sense of relief associated with solving that kind of problem.
Well done.
AJ
US Veteran
I learned to take broken screws out from my Metalsmiths when I worked on aircraft. Vise Grips were the first thing to try, some times you could tap the screw out using a flat bladed (Common) screwdriver and last of all was an E-Z Out.
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Congrats on getting it out!
After my own experiences and helping out many friends who broke screws and bolts and helping them, I bought a set of Drill Hog left handed drill bits. You spin them in reverse and while drilling out the broken screw or bolt they usually unscrew it as well. Not successful 100% of the time, but does work more times than not if there isn't a lot of rust. If it doesn't unscrew, you would have to drill it out anyway - a win-win.
After my own experiences and helping out many friends who broke screws and bolts and helping them, I bought a set of Drill Hog left handed drill bits. You spin them in reverse and while drilling out the broken screw or bolt they usually unscrew it as well. Not successful 100% of the time, but does work more times than not if there isn't a lot of rust. If it doesn't unscrew, you would have to drill it out anyway - a win-win.
Yes Hydrogen Embrittlement. I was thinking the same thing. Doesn’t everyone know that ?
