Optic Plate Removal

[badjuju]

Hey Gang. Looking for suggestions on how to remove this plate adaptor after I completely stripped the life out of the remaining screw. I saw a comment about drilling through the top of it on a different forum, but not sure if that's the answer. In the meantime, does anyone have recommendations for a gunsmith with quick turnaround times? I need to get this pistol running before next Friday.
Thanks

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[Nosferatu]

you *might* be able to get an ez-out on that.

Otherwise, drill it.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Do you need to save the plate? If not you could cut the plate off and use Vice Grips on the screw head

I mean, you probably shouldn't, but you could

 

[Xmark1]

If you try to drill it - your just gonna break the head off (because it's tapered) and the threaded stud will be impossible to grab onto with the likes of vice grips because the broken stud will not protrude enough. You're not gonna drill down the center of the threaded stud without highly specialized tooling.

There are a few options that might work but not guaranteed.

1) Use a Dremel tool with a grinding wheel and carefully cut a slot in the top of the screw so it can be removed with a slot screwdriver. This will of course ruin the optic plate, but it might get the screw out. Once the slot is cut, you will have to have a slot screwdriver that is ground a bit to match the grove you just cut. And I assume you did not use red Loctite. No matter what Loctite was used you should use BSI UN-CURE debonder before attempting extraction, it really helps.

2) Clamp the slide in a vice. If you don't have soft jaw adapters you can use copper or brass to protect your slide from scratching. Then use a small and quality chisel punch and a hammer to tap a small grove in one side of the screw head. Then use the punch at an angle and tap with a hammer to start the screw moving counterclockwise.

I have used both methods with success, but I have no idea of your mechanical skill level. So, if you destroy your slide, I assume no responsibility for my advice. User discretion advised.

 

[MDDM]

If you are looking for a gunsmith, Alex at @Vernonia MW can help you out

 

[Cegemen]

I use a torx bit that is slightly larger than the hole and bang it in with a hammer, if there is thread locker use a torch to heat it up. Apply downward pressure and twist.

 

[Xmark1]

I use a torx bit that is slightly larger than the hole and bang it in with a hammer, if there is thread locker use a torch to heat it up. Apply downward pressure and twist.

I have used a version of this method also.
It really helps to use a Dremel burr first, to clean up the existing damage & swarf first.
Also, it really helps to have high quality Torx tooling. Cheap stuff just makes things worse.

 

[spookshack]

Hey Gang. Looking for suggestions on how to remove this plate adaptor after I completely stripped the life out of the remaining screw. I saw a comment about drilling through the top of it on a different forum, but not sure if that's the answer. In the meantime, does anyone have recommendations for a gunsmith with quick turnaround times? I need to get this pistol running before next Friday.
Thanks

View attachment 2271885

McCluskey Arms - Gunsmith in Eugene, OR

The McCluskey Arms Company is a full service gunsmithing company in Eugene, Oregon. The company also serves mail-in customers nationwide. We specialize in barrel threading, general repair, optic cuts, slide milling, Cerakote, bluing, and gold plating.

mccluskeyarms.com

Email them that pic and see what they say. I recently had them remove a stripped screw in one of my Holosun red dots. I drove down, inquired in person and they were able to do it while I waited (15-20min). They're an extremely busy shop, so no guarantee that they can get it done in your short timeframe, but it's worth looking into. Also, they're only open 4 days a week (Wed-Sat.). That may or may not be problematic for you.

As mentioned already, Alex at Vernonia Machine Works is also an option. I've had positive experiences with him, as well as McCluskey Arms. Best of luck to you getting this resolved.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

I've gotten things like that unstuck using a dab of JB Weld. Put a drop on the screw head, line up the screwdriver and glue it in there. Let it sit until the JB sets up and then just unscrew it. Have your work space set up ahead of time to hold the screwdriver vertical so you don't have to scramble to do that part.