Removing broken off cleanout screw in Merrill Carbine

[Hal]

I bought a Merrill carbine at a show a few weeks ago. I did not notice when I bought it, but the cleanout screw in the bolster is broken off. What are my options as far as removing it? You gotta wonder why it broke. If it's in there so tight (Corroded?) that it broke upon removal I doubt anything like a left handed drill bit or 'easy out' would come close. Is this something a gunsmith could do for me? Do I need to find someone with an EDM? Drill it and tap for next size up? Leave it alone and don't worry about it, just clean as best you can when done shooting?

[RaiderANV]

Rarely does a torch and EASYout(dern auto-correct) fail. The heat will break it loose. Many reasons it could have snapped.... Rusted heavy.....bad metal/spot in that one screw, list goes on. If you shy away from doing it the Nationals is yer best bet.

[Hal]

Thanks Pat. I understand torch, but what is washout?

I have had luck with bolts and pipe fittings by heating with a rose bud and just letting them naturally cool. Like you say, the heat breaks down whatever is binding it up. I've never tried it on anything so small, and then there's the fact there's nothing to grab a hold of, but maybe THEN a left hand drill would do it, or maybe a pick if it's loose enough.

[John Holland]

Personally, I would leave it alone.

[RaiderANV]

Thanks Pat. I understand torch, but what is washout? .

I meant easyout. dern computer corrected to washout and I didn't look back.

[Hal]

Thanks Pat. I may give that a try. Gotta look at it again and see if I think heat will hurt any patina on it. It's not really a collectors grade gun, but still.....

John, glad to know that is a viable option. I was afraid stuff would begin to build up in there.

[Hal]

I took the advice of others and decided to leave it well enough alone. I was told that screw is likely an oddball thread (30 TPI, I think it was), and if I got it out, I would have trouble finding one to put back in there. Thanks for asking.

[MR. GADGET]

If you really want it out I would call Tom Crone and see about getting him to do it.
He can drill it out, tap and make a new screw out of SS or carbon steel to replace it.

I have had him do a bunch for me. He has made screws I looked and never found for 30 years.
Turns out the screws for the parts were made to a differnt spec back in the 30's and 40's
He pulled the old one cloned it. Also made a lot of custom stuff and gear.
The guy is good. He sets up at nationals and some other shoots.