Help… Broken Lock

[sooter76]

So I opened up the protective case I’ve had my Fusil-de-Chasse in for a few months to find the screw holding the frizzen to the rest of the lock has broken off. Not the biggest thing in the world, but the end of the screw remains recessed in the lock… Anyone have any ideas how to get it out?

 

[SDSmlf]

Do you have photographs of the broken screw from both sides of the lockplate?

 

[FlinterNick]

So I opened up the protective case I’ve had my Fusil-de-Chasse in for a few months to find the screw holding the frizzen to the rest of the lock has broken off. Not the biggest thing in the world, but the end of the screw remains recessed in the lock… Anyone have any ideas how to get it out?

Removing broken screws can be a challenge. If you don’t have a good set of taping and drilling tools, I’d just as much as tell you to go to a gunsmith or machine shoppe to get it out.

But in short, if you have nothing to work with on either end of the screw then pulling it with an extractor is the only way or chewing it out with an end-mill bit and then retapping the screw hole.

Some fellas weld the broken screw in the hole and re-drill and tap.

 

[rich pierce]

Hard to imagine how that happened. I’m guessing this lock has no pan bridle and you have a frizzen screw with the head directly against the frizzen. Is all that remains, a piece of frizzen screw in the lockplate? And you’ve removed the frizzen? I’d get some penetrating oil and a set of EZ Out screw extractors and have at it.

 

[CapPopper]

I'd try getting a pick and turning it. It's possible it may not turn and you'll have to resort to extreme measures but we remove broken bolts at work all the time by turning the broken piece with a sharp object till you can get ahold of it or it comes out. On some of the big ones we use a sharp center punch and a hammer to turn them. I would imagine your frizzen bolt is too small for that. So get a good pick and try to turn it. Usually if the threads are not seized they turn really easy. Could possibly even use a pencil with an eraser on it to turn it if it fits in there.

 

[EC121]

Using a chisel or Dremel tool cut a slot on the inside end of the screw and turn it out with a small sharpened screwdriver. A small chisel should work without marking the plate on the outside. Shouldn't take much of a slot. A small lefthanded drill bit(NAPA parts store.) will also work.

 

[garra]

Hopefully the screw isn't frozen in the side plate, try this to see if it frozen. rotate the frizzen all the way open, stick a wedge (can be wood or metal) between the frizzen and the sideplate so that it puts pressure outward toward the broken screw, now rotate the frizzen carrying the wedge along with the rotation counterclockwise and see it turns the screw as it rotates. If your gap for the wedge increases, keep repeating it.
You have to keep the pressure outward during rotation.

 

[ZUG]

If the screw hole is a through hole it should come out very easily. EC121 suggestion is a good one. I would also try one of those variable hand held electric drill motors and chuck a small sharpened screwdriver bit into it, apply downward pressure and try to unscrew it or drive it through the lock plate

 

[hanshi]

Probably wouldn't hurt to let it set overnight with a bit of penetrating oil.

 

[planefixer da50]

if you have access to the back of threaded shank, centerpunch shank,use undersize bit should bite in n draw threaded shank out. kriol oil soak will help.

 

[sooter76]

Do you have photographs of the broken screw from both sides of the lockplate?

Here you go…

 

[sooter76]

Thanks for the responses… I’ll give the counter screw idea a try when I have time. Unfortunately, I discovered this while moving the gun to my in-laws for storage so it may be a few weeks before I get the opportunity.

 

[ord sgt]

Try what CapPopper said. Take your time and slowly unscrew the broken potion of the screw. It should turn easily. If not, soak it with oil and try later.

 

[FlinterNick]

This is what i do

 

[tallpine]

Before you go to extreme measures soak it good with penetration oil for a few days and try walking it out with an ice pick and a small hammer. Light taps, be gentle with it. I have got a lot of broken bolts out like this.

 

[2 shots]

as most said , its likely loose in the hole. center punch and use a left hand drill bit. go slow. good luck with whatever you try. mike

 

[Grenadier1758]

You could do as @2 shots suggests, but drill from inside the lock plate and use a standard drill bit. By drilling from the inside, you will actually turn the threaded bolt back out. Use a drill bit that is undersized compared to the clearance diameter of the threaded hole. Do you know what size bolt held the frizzen to the lock plate?

 

[SDSmlf]

You could do as @2 shots suggests, but drill from inside the lock plate and use a standard drill bit. By drilling from the inside, you will actually turn the threaded bolt back out. Use a drill bit that is undersized compared to the clearance diameter of the threaded hole. Do you know what size bolt held the frizzen to the lock plate?

I was typing a similar response, then I saw @Grenadier1758 post. Totally agree. Would only suggest that OP uses a drill press to keep the drill lined up with the screw and perpendicular to the lockplate. If the drill doesn’t drive the broken screw out, then use an Easyout in the hole in the screw from the outside of lockplate to remove it. From your photographs, appears to be very doable.

 

[Eric Krewson]

There are cheap diamond bit sets for a Dremel at harbor freight that has bit small enough to cut a screw slot in the end of that screw. I would go that route if you have a steady hand.

 

[RMSLS1]

Kroil penetrating oil and patience. Use a hair dryer and heat the part up, let cool. Do this 3 or 4 times, so the Kroil penetrates.

As Eric Krewson said, get a diamond bit set, but drill a hole. The diamond drill not skip around. move the diamond bit nearly threaded portion. It will relieve the stress on the screw threads.
Diamond Rotary Bit Set 4 Pc..

Do as Gernadier1758 indicated with a regular drill bit. If this does not work, use a sharp pointed chisel and tap the outer bolt to the center and is should fall out.

I have done this many times at work. Good luck!