Well it may be the difference in elevation or air pressure but I went the the hardware store today and purchased two 6x16 (1.0 Thread pitch) flat head SS screws for $.75 cents apiece, bright steel were $.45 each. I removed the slotted head blued steel 1/4x28 forearm screw and replaced it with the 6x16 metric and it works great, in my gun(s) at least. I just sold a Topper barrel that is threaded for a 1/4x28 forearm screw and it has a SS 6x16 screw in it and it works well also. If you only try it in one or 2 threads (or a thin nut) it is a bit loose you may be able to strip it out, however, when used in a forearm hanger stud with the greater number of threads and more bearing surface it works fine. Mine have for the last couple of years as have others that guys have used here. Yes. the numbers do not match exactly but they work for the application. I doubt there is anyone here that can rip off the forearm that is held on my gun(s) with the 6/16 flathead screw.
My suggestion, if you don't like it don't use it, get yourself a 1/4x28. Myself and others here have used it and it works. Also, compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Instead of TRYING to strip it out of a thin nut, try using a 6/16 in a 1/4x28 forearm stud and see how well it works and how strongly it holds, or you could use duct tape. There is a difference in diameter of 0.01378" between them which allows this substition to work. The increased numer of threads and bearing surface in the forearm hanger over a nut increases the strength of the attachment many time and allows it to work. Again, and very simply, if you don't like it, don't use it....<><....
