Can't Remove Detachable Carry Handle

[EDX2308]

I need your folks help again (and usually you people have good information).

The rifle I got is a Stag Model 4. It has a detachable carry handle on it that's on top of a flat top rail on the upper receiver. The problem is I can't get it off. The thumb screws? the ones you twist counter clockwise won't budge. I used some break free to lube it for the night and it simply won't budge. I used a quarter to fit into the screw slot and it's rock solid.

Any other advice without damaging the rifle?

Thanks in advance!
Ed

 

[Kevin M.]

Vice grips with padding on the jaws should give you enough leverage.

 

[ShawnC6]

if youre worried more about the rifle and not the carry handle itself... pliers?

 

[EDX2308]

I'll try the vice grips.... I don't want to damage the backup sights as parts are a bit hard to come by or I may want to reuse the carry handle rear site one day.

 

[Rebel Rouser]

Vice grips and a piece of leather, use a old belt.

 

[TV-PressPass]

Vice grips and a piece of leather, use a old belt.

Old belt is a #1 for me. Pipe wrench or vice grips.

You might also flush it with some WD40 to break up the threadlocker (or yikes, rust) that's possibly on there. I'd try a few spritzes from the other side of the rifle, and let it sit for an hour or so. If it can work its way into the threads, that can help sometimes.

Personally I've been told that some threadlockers must be heated to crack. I'm extremely hesitant to start heating things unless you know exactly what was used.

 

[Innercity]

The proper size screwdriver and a little muscle. A shot of a decent penetrant will help. CLP is not a penetrant.
Bubba would break out the vise grips, theses are small bolts and don't require a lot of torque.
If they have been tightened with red loctite, use a small soldering Iron to heat the bolts to release the loctite.

With all the vise grip comments I'm surprised no one has said use a grinder yet.

Finesse over force.

Don't be a hack.

 

[geologist]

Plus a heat gun.

 

[TV-PressPass]

Plus a heat gun.

heat gun > soldering iron

 

[Innercity]

heat gun > soldering iron

No the soldering iron puts heat in a exact location where as a heat gun will heat a entire area.
All thought in this case it won't really matter, but when dealing with tight tolerances and precision fits it's absolutely necessary to heat/cool the right part.

 

[Unhinged]

Screwdriver > quarter

If you have no muscle put a pipe wrench on the handle of your driver.

 

[lone-wolf]

vice grips and a snipe
propane torch if heat is needed

unload it first

 

[EDX2308]

I don't have an old leather belt yet so I'll need to look around. I do however have some old shoes that are leather that I can cut a piece out of. Thanks for all the suggestions, tonight is going to be fun...

 

[greentips]

Get a penny ( or quarter) and use it as the "head". Use a piler to twist the penny or quarter.