Fore-arm screws?

[giddens1972]

Is there any other place that sells screws for the fore-end besides TC??  I called them yesterday and they want $1.50 A PIECE!  Also I noticed in the parts listing in the FAQ section that there seems to be a washer and a spacer shown that goes on these screws.  Is that what those are???  I have never had a contender with those always just a screw.

John

[stoky]

Your local hardware store should have what you need. They are #10-32 tpi (NF). The screw head is called a "Pan Head" and black ones are "Black Oxide" finish. Get a couple of lengths of 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4", just to have around. Take a fore end with, to check that the screw heads fit in the countersunk holes. Allen socket or Torx drive heads might be less fiddly than slots and less likely to slip a screwdriver blade off of.
I think the spacer you are referring to is an O ring that you can put on the inside of the fore end to keep the screws from falling out when the fore end is removed.
Don't overdue the torque when installing a fore end.

[EMC45]

Great topic! I just emailed TC about their fore end screws to see about replacements. I found one amongst all my gun "stuff" and it works. Good to know I can go to my local ACE and get a handful. Would you recommend a particular grade?

[stoky]

IMHO, there isn't enough force involved here (particularly in how tight they should be) for grade to be a concern, 2 or 5 (or Chinese renditions thereof) should be fine.

[Grumulkin]

If the thread pitch is the same as for Encore forend screws, you won't find them at Ace, Lowe's or any other local place.

You can get them from MidwayUSA or Brownell's.

[Junior1942]

Your local hardware store should have what you need. They are #10-32 tpi (NF). The screw head is called a "Pan Head" and black ones are "Black Oxide" finish. Get a couple of lengths of 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4", just to have around. Take a fore end with, to check that the screw heads fit in the countersunk holes. Allen socket or Torx drive heads might be less fiddly than slots and less likely to slip a screwdriver blade off of.
I think the spacer you are referring to is an O ring that you can put on the inside of the fore end to keep the screws from falling out when the fore end is removed.
Don't overdue the torque when installing a fore end.

I recently made one from a junk drawer 10-32 round-head screw.  Its diameter was a little large for the hole through the stock, so I chucked it in my drill press and touched a file to the edge.

[martineta]

I bought a couple of replacement sets on Ebay that are hex head that I prefer.  No more slipped and gouged slots on my screws.

[David D.]

If the thread pitch is the same as for Encore forend screws, you won't find them at Ace, Lowe's or any other local place.

You can get them from MidwayUSA or Brownell's.

Contenders are 10-32, Encores 8-40,
The 10-32 are pretty common. Most decent hardware's have them.  I buy them by the 100pk. from Fatenal.

[tward91574]

Got some at Home Depot in SS with Allen heads!
 Tim

[Hopalong7]

     Oh yes....the deal is....Contender no problem.....Ace...or any good hardware(and  a big 10-4 on the allen head babies)....Brownell's for the Encore.  Maybe it's just one more reason that I have one complete safe full of Contenders and one lonely Encore.