Help needed!! Buttstock Question

ggordon · 07-23-2008, 09:20 AM

OK, so I finally plunked down major bucks and bought a No.4 MK1 (T) sniper rifle. It's in great condition but the buttstock is a bit loose. I'll post some pics eventually.

I'd like to tighten the buttstock screw but it seems to be frozen. To make matters worse, the screwhead slot is buggered so the screwdriver won't stay in the slot.

If the screwhead was external, I'd deepen the slot with a file or Dremel cut-off wheel. Obviously this won't work because it's deep within the stock.

Any suggestions on how I can re-cut the slot?

Any input is appreciated

wunhunglo · 07-23-2008, 09:30 AM

Can you use an impact screwdriver on what's left? Or a large screwdriver with a square or hex shank that you can put a crescent wrench on to turn while you tap the screwdriver handle gently with a hammer?(3 hand job)

ggordon · 07-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I already tried to use a crescent wrench on a square shafted screwdriver -- the problem is that the screwdriver blade keeps coming out of the slot because the walls have become bevelled.

I don't know anything about impact tools -- would this risk breaking the stock?

I think I need to re-cut and deepen the slot somehow.

wunhunglo · 07-23-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggordon

I don't know anything about impact tools -- would this risk breaking the stock?

I think I need to re-cut and deepen the slot somehow.

I'm talking a hand held/operated impact driver, maybe you've got a different name for it over there. If you don't have one, I'm sure any auto mechanic buddy will have one. Other than that, I can't help you much more.

Good luck

ggordon · 07-23-2008, 12:55 PM

I'll look into it. Thanks for the help

robertscheib · 07-23-2008, 12:59 PM

ggordon-
Had exact same problem with my No4Mk1: when rifle was stripped for initial cleaning I soaked the threaded end of the buttstock bolt [end of which you can see from trigger/mag side of wrist socket] with penetrating oil for a couple of days, while waiting for the p-oil to do it's work I ground & filed a long handled "big blade" screw driver to fit tightly into the boogered bolt head slot. It took some effort but the $&#!?%$!! bolt finally popped loose. When bolt was out I filed the slot square and straight again - matching the s-driver to it. Chased/cleaned all threads, reassembled with gun oil.

ggordon · 07-23-2008, 05:24 PM

Robert:

Thanks for your response.

Can you actually see the threaded end of the bolt from the trigger side of the butt socket?

I removed the butt from a different No.4 Mk1 that I have and it appears the the threaded hole in the butt socket (that receives the stock bolt) ends blindly--it's not bored all the way through.

I'll try to get some penetrating oil in there in see if that does the trick.

Thanks again

Enfield trader · 07-23-2008, 07:30 PM

we like to see it.

Does it have the scope and mount or is it scopeless? Mfg ? Date?

timberlord · 07-23-2008, 08:08 PM

I have to ask...
Did you look down the bolt hole with a flashlight to actually see the bolt head ?
Sometimes there's a leather washer thats sits ontop of the bolt head that will have to be fished out.

X 2 for photos' !

WW2Junkie · 07-23-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timberlord

I have to ask...
Did you look down the bolt hole with a flashlight to actually see the bolt head ?
Sometimes there's a leather washer thats sits ontop of the bolt head that will have to be fished out.

X 2 for photos' !

I had this exact problem with my first Enfield I tried to disassemble. Once I removed the leather washer I could get a larger (wider) screwdriver on it and it came loose. Had to soak the $%#@ out of the threads first though.

Pronsias · 07-23-2008, 11:44 PM

What are you guys using to soak it? I'd like to use something that doesn't damage the finish. I got the buttstock off using a wrench, and now I'm heating the cosmoline out. Should I even bother with removing the bolt? It turns fine, it just won't come off of the threads.

ggordon · 07-24-2008, 12:32 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Enfield Trader: It's a BSA (M47C), 1945 rifle with the proper mount and scope (not matching). The scope is a No.32 MKII. It came with the scope adjustment tool, scope tin and transit case. I will post pics shortly.

Timberlord: I already removed the washer. The stockbolt head is visible -- it's rusty and the slot is buggered.

What's the best penetrating oil to use?

timberlord · 07-26-2008, 08:46 AM

Maybe lube from the receiver side with an initial dose of WD40 then a few drops of gun oil and let sit.
But by the sounds of the bolt head slot buggered , thats abit more than what I'm capable of ( patience) and head over to the gunshop and find a new stock bolt.
...or just leave it , if butt/receiver is still snug an tight.

ggordon · 07-27-2008, 02:50 PM

Well, I've got it soaking in "liquid wrench" penetrating oil and I ground down my long screwdriver tip to better the slot (as per Robert Scheib).

I'll give it one more day to soak and then try to wrestle with the %?#@* bolt.

A new bolt is on order

07-23-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Help needed!! Buttstock Question OK, so I finally plunked down major bucks and bought a No.4 MK1 (T) sniper rifle. It's in great condition but the buttstock is a bit loose. I'll post some pics eventually. I'd like to tighten the buttstock screw but it seems to be frozen. To make matters worse, the screwhead slot is buggered so the screwdriver won't stay in the slot. If the screwhead was external, I'd deepen the slot with a file or Dremel cut-off wheel. Obviously this won't work because it's deep within the stock. Any suggestions on how I can re-cut the slot? Any input is appreciated

07-23-2008, 12:59 PM	#6
robertscheib Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 66 Trader Rating: (0)	ggordon- Had exact same problem with my No4Mk1: when rifle was stripped for initial cleaning I soaked the threaded end of the buttstock bolt [end of which you can see from trigger/mag side of wrist socket] with penetrating oil for a couple of days, while waiting for the p-oil to do it's work I ground & filed a long handled "big blade" screw driver to fit tightly into the boogered bolt head slot. It took some effort but the $&#!?%$!! bolt finally popped loose. When bolt was out I filed the slot square and straight again - matching the s-driver to it. Chased/cleaned all threads, reassembled with gun oil. __________________ The older I get the faster I was!

07-23-2008, 07:30 PM	#8
Enfield trader Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 193 Trader Rating: (0)	How about more details on the T and pics we like to see it. Does it have the scope and mount or is it scopeless? Mfg ? Date?

07-23-2008, 08:08 PM	#9
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Trader Rating: (0)	I have to ask... Did you look down the bolt hole with a flashlight to actually see the bolt head ? Sometimes there's a leather washer thats sits ontop of the bolt head that will have to be fished out. X 2 for photos' ! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg

07-26-2008, 08:46 AM	#13
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Trader Rating: (0)	Maybe lube from the receiver side with an initial dose of WD40 then a few drops of gun oil and let sit. But by the sounds of the bolt head slot buggered , thats abit more than what I'm capable of ( patience) and head over to the gunshop and find a new stock bolt. ...or just leave it , if butt/receiver is still snug an tight. __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg

07-23-2008, 09:30 AM	#2
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 1,309 Trader Rating: (0)	Can you use an impact screwdriver on what's left? Or a large screwdriver with a square or hex shank that you can put a crescent wrench on to turn while you tap the screwdriver handle gently with a hammer?(3 hand job)

07-23-2008, 12:05 PM	#3
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the reply. I already tried to use a crescent wrench on a square shafted screwdriver -- the problem is that the screwdriver blade keeps coming out of the slot because the walls have become bevelled. I don't know anything about impact tools -- would this risk breaking the stock? I think I need to re-cut and deepen the slot somehow.

07-23-2008, 12:55 PM	#5
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	I'll look into it. Thanks for the help

07-23-2008, 05:24 PM	#7
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Robert: Thanks for your response. Can you actually see the threaded end of the bolt from the trigger side of the butt socket? I removed the butt from a different No.4 Mk1 that I have and it appears the the threaded hole in the butt socket (that receives the stock bolt) ends blindly--it's not bored all the way through. I'll try to get some penetrating oil in there in see if that does the trick. Thanks again

07-23-2008, 11:44 PM	#11
Pronsias Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NV Posts: 54 Trader Rating: (0)	What are you guys using to soak it? I'd like to use something that doesn't damage the finish. I got the buttstock off using a wrench, and now I'm heating the cosmoline out. Should I even bother with removing the bolt? It turns fine, it just won't come off of the threads.

07-24-2008, 12:32 PM	#12
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the responses. Enfield Trader: It's a BSA (M47C), 1945 rifle with the proper mount and scope (not matching). The scope is a No.32 MKII. It came with the scope adjustment tool, scope tin and transit case. I will post pics shortly. Timberlord: I already removed the washer. The stockbolt head is visible -- it's rusty and the slot is buggered. What's the best penetrating oil to use?

07-27-2008, 02:50 PM	#14
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Well, I've got it soaking in "liquid wrench" penetrating oil and I ground down my long screwdriver tip to better the slot (as per Robert Scheib). I'll give it one more day to soak and then try to wrestle with the %?#@* bolt. A new bolt is on order