Author Topic: Front blade screw (Read 1401 times)

targetshootr · « **on:** July 31, 2005, 01:54:37 PM »

is stuck on my 83 and I'm thinking about putting a drop of Liquid Wrench in the hole to see if it loosens it up as long as it wouldn't hurt the metal. So far I tried a screw remover bit with no luck and I'm trying to avoid a trip to a smith and for sure don't want to ship it to FA. Any idears? The hex slot stripped out in no time.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2005, 03:13:52 PM »

You might want to consider using Break-Free. It hasn't hurt the metal on any of mine. Although I've not had problems with this particular screw getting stuck, this would be an excellent candidate for a torx setup.

Good luck!

TScottO · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 01:41:04 PM »

Kroil is one of the best industrial strength penetrates on the market. Good stuff. It will work best if you allow it to set over night before trying to turn the screw again.

Take Care,
Scott

targetshootr · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 02:02:16 PM »

Good deal. I'll run some Kroll. I shot it some today even though I have to aim 4 ft low at 100 yrds. What a great gun especially with the 45 cylinder full of stiff ammo. If I had been on my toes I would have had them check
everything when it was getting the extry cylinder.

targetshootr · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2005, 11:17:45 AM »

Well I tried some Kroil with no luck and I am almost out of swear words. If this were a cheap gun it wouldn't bother me but it ain't. Piece of sh... Looks like I'll have to ship the gd thing back to the gd factory. gd it.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2005, 09:10:26 PM »

Well DOGGONE!! Ain't that the luck?!! :-D

targetshootr · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2005, 02:17:50 PM »

Sure you can suggest it but it looks like you substituted a word you're familiar with in place of my abreviation. Shame on you!

targetshootr · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:11:02 AM »

It's headed back. They had to replace the sight base because someone used Loctite on the blade screw which means the factory was most likely the culprit. And of course I get to pay for shipping both ways and labor and for the correct size blade and a new sight base.

Does FA have anything like Dillons 'no BS' policy? Hardly. Will I say anything nice about FA again? Doubtful. Things like this will make me sell a gun or curse like a sailor whenever I pick it up. Gunmakers should consider the actual cost of losing even one customer over something as 'cheap' as an outdated/undersized hex screw.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:46:48 AM »

targetshooter,

Did you purchase this revolver new? Considering they designed and built the front sights, they of all people should know better than to loctite the set screw. I've had nothing but good service from them.

I'm not disputing your claim, just curious.

pastorp · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2005, 01:15:45 PM »

targetshooter, why would you even think the factory would lock-tite the front sight set screw? I second the question DID YOU BUY THIS GUN NEW?

I have owned 5 freedom arms revolvers and none were lock-tited from the factory. They will tell you not to use lock-tite so you can change the sight blades.

To answer your question. No freedom arms does not have a no BS warnity like Dillon. But in my experience they try to be fair. However you can't expect them to cover someone elses stupidity. Regards, Byron

tecrsq · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2005, 01:59:14 PM »

I swapped out my premier sights for Express sights and didn't have any issues when taking the screw out.

Installation was very straight forward, I think your problem is definitely the exception.

I would call Mr. Baker @ Freedom Arms and ask them what they would do in this situation.

From my experience they are very honest people and will no doubt stand behind the revolver and assist the owner in any way possible.

Rare these days when you get a great product thats made in America, has backing from from very knowledgeable people with exceptional customer service.

targetshootr · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2005, 11:51:03 AM »

They are very nice which takes all the fun out of being ticked off. I had them send a couple of different blade sizes since the chart on their website is where I got into trouble to begin with.

De41mag · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2005, 03:54:19 PM »

targetshootr;

When I bought my Model 97, in 41mag, they used the highest front sight they could put on it I guess. Since the Model 97 uses a shorter cylinder than the 83, 210gr. bullets were about the max as far as COL goes. But I called the factory and talked to one of the technicans, Corey, if I remember correctly. He sent me another smaller sight at no cost, and just trusted me in returing the higher sight, which I did.
I am well pleased with Freedom Arms Customer Service, to say the least.

Dennis

Fiveshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2005, 04:55:15 PM »

targetshootr,
I know its too late now but if you ever suspect loc-tite was used on a screw you are trying to remove try heat. It only takes about 175 degrees to soften even the permanent (red) loc-tite. I use the permanent grade loc-tite on all the grip frame screws and ejector rod housing screws on all my revolvers that have heavy recoil. I find it much easier that constantly tightening screws. When I need to remove a screw I simply remove the grips and cylinder and put the rest of the gun in the oven at 175 degrees for a few minutes. It works perfectly. I do not use the permanent grade loc-tite on the front sight screw because I have not needed it. I would never sell or send a revolver in for any work until I first removed the loc-tite.