hex head (Allen) cap screws for Uberti Cattleman and Marlin 1894?

[Bibbyman]

As much as I love traditional guns, if you shoot and disassemble them often, the screws take a beating.  Yes, I have a set of gunsmith screwdrivers but some damage is inevitable. 

I thought it would be cool to replace the factory screws with cap screws - even SST cap screws. Obviously,  you couldn't just go down to the hardware store and scoop them up. 

Anyone know of a source for said screws?

[Paladin UK]

Paladin (what's  ) UK

[St. George]

If you use good, fitted screwdrivers, patience and common sense, the screws don't take a beating at all.

Try doing that for awhile.

Scouts Out!

[Bibbyman]

If you use good, fitted screwdrivers, patience and common sense, the screws don't take a beating at all.

Try doing that for awhile.

Scouts Out!

I beg your pardon but I have been doing that for many years.   I didn't ask for a lecture,  I asked for a source.

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Bibbyman -

I think you will find that most of us here are more inclined to keep our "oldtimey" firelocks in a more "oldtimey" configuration, and thus have little use for the more modern style screws. Some might even call it an offense to the eyes  to view such an anachronism on  CAS equipment. With that in mind I fear that few here would have a source for such metric  Italian caphead gunscrews.

> Obviously,  you couldn't just go down to the hardware store and scoop them up. 

actually to be honest I did just that when I had a shortage of proper 1851 screws whilst working on some Cap and Ball  junkers parts guns .

I popped down to my local True Value and got an assortment to use whilst doing the take-apart-put-together fitting and tuning of parts. By the time I finished I had received my  "correct" screws by mailorder, so I got my gunsmith turnscrews out and fitted the correct screws for the more "historically correct" look that I prefer.

yhs
prof marvel

[Bibbyman]

I'm new here.  I didn't expect a screw head design would strike such a sensitive nerve. 

How do you handle it when someone displays a race ready pair of tricked out SST Varqueros wlth short actions, lowered hammers and big brass front sight?   Can I use reproduction cut nails in my guncart construction?  Or do I have to use certified hand forged nails recovered from a Pony Express relay station?

And did Wyett say to Doc and brothers, "Get your carts. Head down to the loading table. When your name is called, load one, skip one, load 4. Then after saying your line engage the Clantons in a left to right sweep, no double tap."?

[Major 2]

what's got the burr under your saddle blanket ?

if your OEM screws are buggered , replacements can be had @ VTI

Your guns though, if you want metric cap screws, call Fastenal, they'll will order them for you , if not all sizes in stock.

[Pettifogger]

Depends on what type of guns you are talking about.  A lot of people have replaced the carrier and lever spring screws (the two in front of the lever on the bottom of the frame) on 73 rifles with Allen screws because the originals are soft.  Now that they have harderned screw sets on the market you don't see as many Allens.  The problem with a lot of gun screws is that they are in odd sizes.  For example, Ruger trigger guard screws are 8-36.  You can't go to ACE and get 8-36 screws.  The heads are also in many cases made specifically to fit a hole in the frame and the Allens generally are smaller heads than the fillister head screws used on most guns.  In short, for many gun screws there are no Allens with the same head size or threads.  Thus, I have never seen anyone that offers a replacement set of Allen screws for cowboy guns as they would have to be custom made and there simply isn't enough market for them.  The solution for gun screws is a good set of hollow ground screwdrivers.

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Bibby -

No sensitive nerve here, and no offense intended -  just trying to point out the general "flavors" that are most favored here, and why you might not find many replies. (If one spends a bit of time perusing the existing threads and subforums one may perchance get a grasp on the feel of the place.)

And I did point out that many metric screws can be obtained locally. Hard as h3ll to find proper "shoulder screws" tho. When I get more time I actually plan a limited run of home-made screws from drillrod, but then I always was a psychotic barstich gllutton for punishment and am considered by many to be a  complete fool tilter-of-windmills .

I am gratified that our good Major2 and Pettifogger stepped up and offered some sources and explanations.

But Hey - They are your firelocks, do whatever you like with them that makes you happy!

>do I have to use certified hand forged nails recovered from a Pony Express relay station?

Did you know that there are now many decaff brands as tasty as the real thing?   

We really don't have too many "thread counters" here, so any old cut nails are dandy. Or wire nails. Or Elmer's glue. I myself wouldn't give you any grief if you used philips head sheetrock "nails" [tongue-firmly-in-cheek here...   :-)  ]; they are your toys and any effort you choose to put into them should be lauded!

Whilst I myself have no desire for a set of "race ready pair of tricked out SST Varqueros wlth short actions, lowered hammers and big brass front sight" far be it for me to deride what turns another fellow's crank. It is, after all, just a game - and We're all in this game together :-)

yhs
prof marvel

[Paladin UK]

Yeah wot the Proff said +1

Paladin (What enjoys playin Cowboy with reeel gunz  ) UK