I need to find a screw for a set of Ropers but I don't know what thread size and don't want to bugger up the threads. I know there are at least two sizes, this set needs a very small diameter one.
Thanks
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What is the Narrow Screw Thread Size Used by Walter Roper?? - 3-56, 4-48?
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Keith Brown
Vendor
Smith factory would be 5-44 or 3-48. Roper/Gagne used factory and also outsourced stuff. Do any factory screws thread in easily. You could also take that panel to an Ace Hardware store and see if they have gun screws, some do some don’t. If you can determine the correct thread I can maybe come up with what you need.
OP
Keith Brown
Vendor
It’s possible they will have something that will work or at least tell you the correct thread. Don’t force anything in, it either fits or it doesn’t. Even modded and less than perfect original Ropers deserve a correct fitting screw.
Best recollection--------------the gun screws from the ACE folks who carry them run from 0 to 8 (maybe 10?)s---and typically in two different pitch counts.
And oddly enough, my closest ACE with gun screws used to be 50 miles down the road. Now my closest is 20 miles---maybe it's catching on.
Ralph Tremaine
And oddly enough, my closest ACE with gun screws used to be 50 miles down the road. Now my closest is 20 miles---maybe it's catching on.
Ralph Tremaine
ACE is the place for such stuff as screws! Recently had cause to pause at the local ACE (1.9 miles away) looking for Copper Choreboy pads. Found they had an extensive stock of screws/bolts in brass/steel. They even had "gunsmith screws!" Hopefully you to will find just what you need! Sincerely. bruce.
OP
Report:
I was able to determine thread size at Ace but they weren't long enough. Thread was 3-56 and I need at least 1 1/8 inch shank. Paplinker had mentioned they might be early Colt screws. I found NC Ordnance had 1954 Colt Python screws (reproduction I assume) which thy advised were 3-56 and 1.25 inches in length. So I have one ordered.
I also determined at Ace that the screw for another set that I have was a 6-32. Hope this gives others a place to start if they are inn the same boat.
I shot my 1941 38/44 with the new stocks and they worked quite well, but they are quite thick with no real palm swell. Maybe that is a sign of a early set. I was able to use a speedloader!
I didn't relief cut the stocks but I did clean it up and make them presentable.
I was able to determine thread size at Ace but they weren't long enough. Thread was 3-56 and I need at least 1 1/8 inch shank. Paplinker had mentioned they might be early Colt screws. I found NC Ordnance had 1954 Colt Python screws (reproduction I assume) which thy advised were 3-56 and 1.25 inches in length. So I have one ordered.
I also determined at Ace that the screw for another set that I have was a 6-32. Hope this gives others a place to start if they are inn the same boat.
I shot my 1941 38/44 with the new stocks and they worked quite well, but they are quite thick with no real palm swell. Maybe that is a sign of a early set. I was able to use a speedloader!
I didn't relief cut the stocks but I did clean it up and make them presentable.
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I never in this world would have thought of Ace Hardware having gun/gunsmith screws. That’s definitely great to know as a place to try. I have a large store about 2 miles away if the need arises.
Larry
Larry
I had heard that Ace is the place, but around here I go to Jim's Hardware in Montgomery where they not only have a selection labeled Gunsmith Fasteners, but very knowledgeable people who will actually offer real help...No, it's not a chain...
...BenThe size of the store is of no moment---only the mindset of the owner---as in there are gun folks, and anti-gun folks. The first ACE I found with gun screws had GUN SCREWS in letters 10-12 inches high emblazoned on the front door!!
The next one I tried was seemingly staffed by teeny-boppers who seemed shocked by mention of the word "gun"! The good news is all this was overheard by a "senior citizen" who appeared, and told me how and where to find them back with the other machine screws.
So much for ACE, Brownells has a sizable assortment of "gun screws"-------some of which may very well be long enough for your purposes---perhaps even made for your purposes.
Ralph Tremaine
OP
The gun screws my Ace have don't help me for my purposes. About the best I do is find the correct thread size. Maybe they just have a limited supply. I have bought screws from Brownells and even found some solid brass screws on Amazon that duplicated the early Guy Hogue grip screws. I'm usually looking for grip screws and need a fillister head or something that can be made into one.
Not sure if its Colt like but here is likely what it looks like.
It made me wonder if he used S&W factory screws maybe he also used Colt hardware on occasion?
I do have four sets with this thinner screw.
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OP
3-56 would be a good GUESS,,and only that.
It's a popular front sight shotgun bead thread as well, so it's common in the firearms world.
Colt used a couple different thread sizes for revolver grips over the century. Gun companies are great for adopting odd dia & TPI thread sizes.
They also used both a shank that was OD thread size and and an over size dia unthreaded shank that stepped down to the threaded portion..
3-56 tap is a common size avail a gunsmithing supplier or any well stocked machine tool place like MSC, etc.
It's a popular front sight shotgun bead thread as well, so it's common in the firearms world.
Colt used a couple different thread sizes for revolver grips over the century. Gun companies are great for adopting odd dia & TPI thread sizes.
They also used both a shank that was OD thread size and and an over size dia unthreaded shank that stepped down to the threaded portion..
3-56 tap is a common size avail a gunsmithing supplier or any well stocked machine tool place like MSC, etc.
OP
The best part about the screws ACE has is the packaging----little boxes that tell you who made them------and I don't recall who that is right off because I don't bother remembering stuff I can find out later-------if/when I need to know.
At any rate, given the need to know, I can go to ACE and look at the boxes. Then I can get in touch with the folks who made them, and ask all sorts of questions. Questions such as do you make these things in longer sizes, other sizes; and if so, how/where do I go about getting my grubby little paws on them?
And then you're good to go-----guarandamnteed!!
Been there---done that!!
Ralph Tremaine
At any rate, given the need to know, I can go to ACE and look at the boxes. Then I can get in touch with the folks who made them, and ask all sorts of questions. Questions such as do you make these things in longer sizes, other sizes; and if so, how/where do I go about getting my grubby little paws on them?
And then you're good to go-----guarandamnteed!!
Been there---done that!!
Ralph Tremaine
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OP
Well, I got the NC Ordnance screw and it is not 3-56 thread. It is even smaller in diameter.
I have been attempting to make a screw and have a couple samples made, just waiting for a 3-56 die to cut the threads.
Added:
I have a screw. The die worked like a charm, especially since I used a nail to make the first one. Other than the die & handle, I used basic tools.
I have been attempting to make a screw and have a couple samples made, just waiting for a 3-56 die to cut the threads.
Added:
I have a screw. The die worked like a charm, especially since I used a nail to make the first one. Other than the die & handle, I used basic tools.
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OP
i have made several 3-56 screws with two different dies and they are just shy of being correct. I don't pretend to be a machinist, but I had the dies open as far as I could get them. Funny thing is the 3-56 screw I got from Ace is just slightly larger and seems to fit, though a little loose. I'm assuming the 3-56 is not correct but don't know what is. Time to punt.
I too have "made" screws. I haven't made them starting with a nail (which is more than a little sneaky when you think about all the different sizes of nails available---or even just by cutting the threads, but I've made store bought screws (from Brownells) to fit applications for which no store bought screws were available.
The most recent need was for a screw to secure the little rubber "filler" piece in the pre-war grip adapters. Now you'd think the screw would be included with a $500 grip adapter, but you're so happy to have the grip adapter, you're going to find a way. It turned out to be a 5-44---near as I recall. It seems like those from ACE had heads too small, but Brownells had them with heads too big---and shanks too long---made to order for some whittling.
I chucked one up in my drill press to do lathe duty. After a bit with a file, and calipers to measure progress, I had a screw with the right size head---and an even better fit than those S&W used. Making it shorter was easier, and took less time. A little dab of cold blue here and there finished the job, and I had a custom made to order screw.
Ralph Tremaine
The most recent need was for a screw to secure the little rubber "filler" piece in the pre-war grip adapters. Now you'd think the screw would be included with a $500 grip adapter, but you're so happy to have the grip adapter, you're going to find a way. It turned out to be a 5-44---near as I recall. It seems like those from ACE had heads too small, but Brownells had them with heads too big---and shanks too long---made to order for some whittling.
I chucked one up in my drill press to do lathe duty. After a bit with a file, and calipers to measure progress, I had a screw with the right size head---and an even better fit than those S&W used. Making it shorter was easier, and took less time. A little dab of cold blue here and there finished the job, and I had a custom made to order screw.
Ralph Tremaine
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I guess that the moral to the story is that if you purchase a set of stocks without the screw that you might be screwed!! 
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