Stripped out screw on Ruger Mini 14

D

droitwich

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I bought a new Ruger Mini 14 several weeks ago, and decided to switch out the awful stock iron sight for a Tech Sights replacement.

For some misguided reason Ruger decided to use epoxy or Locktite red on the single 5/64" hex screw affixing the factory sight to the receiver, and after trying a blow dryer, a soldering iron, and a couple of allen keys (one of which snapped), I stripped the screw.

My options as I understand them are:

  1. Send the rifle to Location Snap Shots in QC for warranty repair and let them either replace the rifle or remove the screw without damaging the receiver;
  2. Undertake further efforts on my own, which might include trying a Grabit, cutting a notch using a Dremel and using a slot screwdriver, and attempting to soften the thread locker with a small butane torch;
  3. Find a reputable gunsmith in south-western Ontario and let them have a crack at it.
I'm concerned with losing the rifle to Snap Shots for several months, but I'm also worried about damaging the bluing with the butane torch, and having no warranty recourse if my amateur gunsmithing efforts snap the screw head off leaving the threads glued into place.

Comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
As a mechanic the slot cut can be very effective if there's enough material to grab on to. I'd slot cut it, heat it, and maybe try some penetrant left to soak in overnight the night before. Another very effective method would be to weld a nut to the top of the screw, this would accomplish heat and give a strong area to twist the bolt out. You may need a good welder with a tig setup for such a small screw though. A good left hand drill bit works sometimes too. Also a torx key can sometimes be driven into a stripped hex key and provide another chance to grab the stripped fastener. Has to be just a little bigger than the Allan key.
 
I personally have had no luck with release agent, locktite specifies heat. 250 degrees celcius to be exact. Refer to manufacturers specifications.
 
Heat is required to break the Loctite seal... enough heat that the Loctite starts to smoke usually. Let is smoke a bit before trying to turn it. That's less than damaging the bluing. But it is of no use if you haven't got a method of turning the screw when that heat is reached...
 
guntech said:
Heat is required to break the Loctite seal... enough heat that the Loctite starts to smoke usually. Let is smoke a bit before trying to turn it. That's less than damaging the bluing. But it is of no use if you haven't got a method of turning the screw when that heat is reached...
Click to expand...

What's your preferred method of heating in a situation like this Dennis?
 
shatthatkilledelvis said:
couldn't tell you...I've never bought drill bits at the hardware store.

Machine tool supply companies will have them. Online - Amazon, KBC Tools, Travers tools will have them.
Click to expand...

Online is probably the easiest just like most things today, next time I'm in KMS Tools I will look around as well, thanks.
 
guntech said:
I use a small propane torch set as low as it will go...
Click to expand...

Something like a jeweler's torch makes sense, thanks otherwise I guess a piece of heavy copper wire stripped and held with visegrips and a suitable glove might be a good transfer method if one's torch is to mighty..... :)
 
I just had the same problem.
Take a center punch and hammer it into the space between the hex key hole and the outer edge of the screw. Get a good solid deep hole punched into it straight down perpendicular.
Secure the receiver/rifle in a vice.
Get a small torch and heat up the sight base area around the screw and screw itself. Spray some penetrating oil onto the screw and base.
Let it sit for 10 seconds and then use the center punch on a 45 degree angle with the tip in the hole you made previously and give it a good solid medium power smack with a hammer pushing it COUNTER CLOCKWISE. One shot should do it but if it doesn't just give it a bit more heat and penetrating oil and do it again.
You'll loosen it right quick in that fashion
Just did this myself last month to swap that utter s**t rear sight out for a Tech Sight. Boy hell does she ever shoot accurate now!
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for your responses.

I ended up drilling a slot in the screw using a reinforced Dremel cutting wheel, ruining the factory sight in the process (the wheel was too large to avoid cutting into the sight itself). No love lost there. I heated up the screw with a small butane torch and after hauling on the screwdriver it finally broke loose. There was some sort of opaque non-coloured adhesive residue on the threads. A hearty thanks to Ruger for wasting mine and many other people's time on this.

As for the warranty claim, I did hear back from Location Snap Shots, and they said the removal would be covered under warranty if I wanted to send the rifle in.
 
Yeah. I love my Ruger Mini.
The 582 series with the beefed up barrel is awesome.
Mine is very accurate for an $800 rifle I got off the EE. Perfect NR .223 gun for me.
That rear sight was literally the most ignorant thing I've ever seen on a gun though. Jesus Christ what were they thinking with that thing?
Whoever designed that should be fired and shot...then shot again lol
Put a Tech sight on it and now it is very accurate and extremely easy to shoot with little effort.
 
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