lever spring screw woes

matt45 · January 26, 2013, 12:14:50 PM

Yesterday I was showing my Henry to a kid (he's doing a research paper on Civil War repeaters) and one of the lever spring screws fell out. Upon examination, the screw is actually broken off. From disassembly on (I have Gunsmithing Guns of The Old West) any advice?

major · January 26, 2013, 01:52:48 PM

Is part of the screw still stuck in the receiver, or did the entire screw fall out?
Terry

matt45 · January 26, 2013, 04:07:19 PM

part of the screw is stuck in the receiver. My current plan is to take it to a gunsmith in Butte and see what we've got.

Pettifogger · January 26, 2013, 05:09:06 PM

Usually a very simple fix. If the head of the screw had broke off remove the side plates and just push the screw upward. The spring will come off with it. There is usually enough screw left to twist out the stub and most of the time it will twist out with just finger pressure. You just need a new screw. If you order from VTI order one of the hardened screws. Another screw you can use is the forward screw on a Ruger single action trigger guard. It is an 8 - 36 thread and much stronger than the original screw. I have had Ruger screws in mine for many years.

matt45 · January 29, 2013, 12:01:28 PM

Gracias, amigo

Coffinmaker · February 01, 2013, 04:21:59 PM

Just to compound your fun, Uberti doesn't fit the Lever Side Springs to the frame, causing the springs to set cockeyed rather than flat to the lower frame face. As long as you have it apart, I would suggest you re-shape the rear of the spring to fit the frame so the spring will seat flat. You'll bugger up or break fewer screws.

Coffinmaker

Pettifogger · February 01, 2013, 07:25:01 PM

Quote from: Coffinmaker on February 01, 2013, 04:21:59 PM
Just to compound your fun, Uberti doesn't fit the Lever Side Springs to the frame, causing the springs to set cockeyed rather than flat to the lower frame face. As long as you have it apart, I would suggest you re-shape the rear of the spring to fit the frame so the spring will seat flat. You'll bugger up or break fewer screws.

Coffinmaker

Better yet, replace the stiff factory springs with softer after market springs. Will take a lot of wear and tear out of the rubbing surfaces.

Coffinmaker · February 02, 2013, 08:18:10 PM

Well .... OK, yes, while you have it apart, replace the lever side springs. Lighter springs will extend the life of the action. I personally recommend "SlixSprings." A little fitting required but well worth the price and time. I shoulda mentioned that in the first place

Coffinmaker