Smith Clean-out Screw

[Eggman]

Which raises the question, you have a defective or worn out part on your N-SSA approved firearm, like a too short clean out screw on a Smith. You need to drill out and thread for a larger, safer screw. So you do this and now have a safe and reliable gun. Oh by the way, the replacement screw was an Allen. The Allen screw is not authentic. Any replacement screw is not authentic. The original (metric) screw was not authentic. What to do??? And by the by, where does a field repair fit in the scheme of things??

[Eggman]

Come on guys, I'm really curious about this. Does the N-SSA have its own (screw) thread counters?? Is a gun not to be repaired unless it has an "authentic" fix?

[Joe Plakis, 9575V]

The intent of replacing the screw would be to have it look as much like an original as possible. Allen Screws or Phillips would not be appropriate in attempting to make it "look" original.

I have had two Smiths corrected of this problem, it involved drilling out the bolster and screw, inserting a piece of stainless all thread and drilling and tapping a new screw. I have alot of meat for the screw to bite into now.

As for the pitch and thread count it would not matter, although I would suggest using a fine screw thread vs a coarse thread. The finer thread count gives you a little more strength and holding power.

[Eggman]

Thanks Joe. Seems Boots should think slot head.

[Michael Bodner]

All fixed!!

Based on advise from a very knowledgeable member, I made the repair by means of an insert inside the bolster. I drilled and tapped for the clean out screw (a regular slotted screw) and drilled a new flash channel in the insert.

A little loc-tite and its as good as new!

Thanks to everyone for their advise and contributions!

See y'all on the firing line

-Mike

[Southron Sr.]

LITTLE KNOWN SCIENTIFIC FACT:

90% of the holding power of any screw is held by the FIRST THREAD. The test of the threads are "taking it easy."

At least that is what my Machine Shop Teacher told me in class decades ago.

[Michael Bodner]

Well, I whacked 9 out of 12 on the pigeon board at Statesville this weekend. I think its fixed...

-Mike

[Eggman]

Well Boots that's some shooting. However if things proceeded in such a way that you did NOT blast a clean out screw into your neighbor's left ear, THEN your gun is fixed.