Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 38

Thread: Smith Clean-out Screw

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
    Posts
    1,044
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Smith Clean-out Screw

    OK. The clean-out screw on my Smith has popped out for the last time.

    Does anyone have any experience with personally plugging this hole? I'm thinking brazing, but I need some detailed advise: Like how do you not destroy the case-hardening on the receiver?

    How have you solved your clean-out / blow-out screw problem??

    Thanks

    -Mike
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    atco nj
    Posts
    210
    Region:
    Middle Atlantic - New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    I had mine drilled out and tapped with a thicker and longer screw. No problems in six years. Marv
    comp#11604 DEL BLUES

  3. #3
    Lou Lou Lou is online now
    Team:
    Tammany Regiment, 42nd New York
    Member
    4869
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Lung Island, New Yawk
    Posts
    1,965
    Region:
    New England - New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    That is the best solution
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
    Tammany Regt-42nd NYVI

  4. #4
    Southron Sr. is offline
    Team:
    24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    3002
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Gorgia
    Posts
    1,319
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    I agree that drilling out the old screw hole and re-tapping to a slightly larger screw size is best. That is what I did when the original screw on my repro Pietta Smith blew out a dozen years ago. For a replacement screw, I used a stainless steel screw to avoid the rust problem.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
    Posts
    1,044
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    Thanks for the help!

    On my Smith, the portion where the threads are is SOOOOOOO thin, that even though I already retapped it, it doesn't even have 2 threads on it.

    Or are you guys saying that you drilled that out completely and tapped the 'main portion' ??

    -Mike
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  6. #6
    Eggman's Avatar
    Eggman is offline Banned
    Team:
    Iredell Blues
    Member
    7786v
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    1,763
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    It sounds like the outside breach surface where the cleanout hole is is so thin you're into a major safety issue. Might not you need to thicken this surface up first before drilling?? I thnk you need to forget aesthetics for now and think engineering with your local arc welder.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
    Posts
    1,044
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    Don't over-guess it... The receiver is close to 1/4" thick in that area. Its just the threaded portion under the screw that keeps letting the screw get blown out.

    The receiver isn't going to fail any time soon.

    -Mike
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  8. #8
    Eggman's Avatar
    Eggman is offline Banned
    Team:
    Iredell Blues
    Member
    7786v
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    1,763
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    Cool! I'd say fill the hole or install monster screw that occupies the whole hole and is anchored on the quarter inch stuff.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
    Posts
    1,044
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    I'm considering that. My concern would be tapping the hardened receiver. With my luck, I'd snap the tap in and never get it out !!! LOL

    -Mike
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  10. #10
    Eggman's Avatar
    Eggman is offline Banned
    Team:
    Iredell Blues
    Member
    7786v
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    1,763
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Smith Clean-out Screw

    If you drill out the hole you'll get a good idicator of hardness. Betting the hardness is not real deep. Did you get some idea when you drilled before?? If you break the tap off you'll leave a nice plug!!(??)) Good luck Bootsie!!!

Similar Threads

  1. sear screw and rear sight screw tap size
    By jim simos in forum Small Arms
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-08-2010, 11:20 AM
  2. Armisport Sharps clean out screw
    By mdivancic in forum Shooting Techs, Tips, & Tricks
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-09-2010, 09:44 AM
  3. Smith Carbine original clean out screw
    By MAPedersen in forum Small Arms
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-27-2010, 02:50 PM
  4. Italian Smith Replacement Hinge Screw
    By Jim Leinicke 7368V in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-20-2010, 09:10 AM
  5. James River Armory Barrel Clean-out Screw
    By Jim_Burgess_2078V in forum Small Arms
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-25-2008, 12:17 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •