Removing Snapped sight screws

Jeremy

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I was recently trying to remove a rear sight on one of my rifles in order to facilitate the mounting of a scope. During this process one of the screws snapped just below the surface. Any idea how I can remove it or is this a lost cause??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks.
 
Is there a way to use a rotary tool and carbide burr to centre drill it? If so, you can then use a tight fitting Allen wrench in the hole and try backing it out. Otherwise, tapping it counter-clockwise with a punch to back it out may help. There's always drilling it out and chasing the threads with the appropriate tap.
Chris
 
"...use a rotary tool..." Needs a drill press, not a rotary tool, to be accurate enough. There are broken screw extractors though.
 
sunray said:
"...use a rotary tool..." Needs a drill press, not a rotary tool, to be accurate enough. There are broken screw extractors though.
I gave this advice because not everyone has access to the appropriate tools. I have used the rotary tool with carbide burr with success, so it is a suggestion. I prefer to use my Forster jig with the appropriate bushings for the small screws.
 
Removing a small screw, like a sight screw, is probably better left to a proffessional. The screw is very likely harder than the surrounding metal, and the drill will walk.
The screw was likely loctited in, and if that was the case, it may require heat, even with the extractor to move it.
 
Locktite doesn't like oil. Since the screw broke off just below the surface, could he not let some oil sit in the depression so that it (hopefully) works down into the threads and softens up the locktite?

I haven't had this happen to me yet, just thinking out loud so that if it ever does ..... :D
 
The screw wasn't loctited in place. I had removed it once, put it back in and a month later removed it again so that I could mount a scope that was hitting the rear sight. Just my luck the stupid screw snapped just below the edge of the hole.
 
screw removal

I've removed many, many of these by using a Dremel and a fine bit (think dental drill) and carefully cutting a slot across the top of the stub in order to be able to back out the stub with a small flat-blade screwdriver. Make sure that you put a couple of layers of tape over/around where you're working................. a slip at this point can be VERY annoying.

Good luck:D
 
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