Buckmark problem (solutions needed)

[b.faust]

Well, I had a little issue with my buckmark this weekend.
After a round of shooting, I went home to clean it and the front sight base screw was locked down hard. While trying to remove it, I ended up stripping it.

So, of course I got out the power drill and the screw extractor, but it basically just reamed out the little screw even more. Didn't move an inch, and now it's a nice smooth crater inside.

So, my next possible solutions are:

1. Attempt to dremel a slot for a flat head screw driver and see if I can get it to budge.

2. If this fails, cut the rear sight mounting base (which is plastic) off with the dremel (carefully) and get a new one, or use this as an excuse to get a Tactical Solutions railed rear sight mounting base.

Anyone else have an idea to toss out there before I start the operation?
To add insult to injury, my girlfriend was shooting her AR .22 and the spikes firing pin shattered into about 4 pieces. (This is after 10,000+ rounds through it)
Needless to say, it was a frustrating weekend.
I take really good care of my weapons, but it still always feels like a punch in the gut when one of them goes south due to part failure.

Any advice welcome.
Thanks
B.

[inkedshooter]

Did you use loctite on the screws for the base?

[jimmythebrain]

I assume that the problem is with the front screw on the rear sight plate.

For the future get a set of gunsmith screw drivers. Standard screw drivers are tapered and slip. These mess up standard slotted screws.

You want to use something to break up the lock-tite that is on the sight plate screws. I use Kano Kroil but you should be able to check with the lock-tite webpage to see what they recommend. Soak the screw down really well at least overnight. Then I would dremmel out a new slot with the thinnest cut off wheel. This may damage the sight base plate. If your buckmark is a camper then these are plastic and this would be a great opportunity to upgrade to a metal one. I bought a TacSol integral rail and sight combination unit that I like very much.

Also post over at Rimfirecentral forums, they have a Browning rimfire section that gets a lot of hits from Buckmark owners.

Good luck.

[Packy14]

I did that too..it sucked bad... i drilled it out... but you have to tap it and try to remove it like that...

[b.faust]

Did you use loctite on the screws for the base?

God no. Loctite and I have had some bad times over the years. I rarely use it, and when I do sparingly. No loctite on this bugger.

I assume that the problem is with the front screw on the rear sight plate.

For the future get a set of gunsmith screw drivers. Standard screw drivers are tapered and slip. These mess up standard slotted screws.

You want to use something to break up the lock-tite that is on the sight plate screws. I use Kano Kroil but you should be able to check with the lock-tite webpage to see what they recommend. Soak the screw down really well at least overnight. Then I would dremmel out a new slot with the thinnest cut off wheel. This may damage the sight base plate. If your buckmark is a camper then these are plastic and this would be a great opportunity to upgrade to a metal one. I bought a TacSol integral rail and sight combination unit that I like very much.

Also post over at Rimfirecentral forums, they have a Browning rimfire section that gets a lot of hits from Buckmark owners.

Good luck.

Bingo on the front screw. I've heard of other people having this happen.
Again, no Loctite on this, it's just locked solid. I think if I have to cut it I will upgrade, but see then I'm tempted to buy a TacSol barrel for it....
I think I'm at the dremel stage here personally, but I'm going to check at rimfirecentral. Thanks!

I did that too..it sucked bad... i drilled it out... but you have to tap it and try to remove it like that...

I gave that a shot first and it just stripped the hell out of the screw even worse. It just wouldn't take for some reason. (might be user error on my part)

Thanks for all the advice.
B.

[MAD SVT]

its a torx head screw... not a star... they look real close (sorry im assuming you used a star...)

i would dremel the slot into it like your thinkin... but before you try and back it out, take a soldering iron and get that screw reaaaall warm, that will loosen up the loctite for you to back it out with the flathead.

dont worry about screwin up the existing mount... get yourself a nice tac sol one... its SWEEEEEET

[b.faust]

Well the solution was to carefully cut around the existing mount and the screw came right out.
There was no loctite involved for the record, but what I think might have happened was the plastic sight mount may have melted a bit around the screw.
I only ever tighten the front screw lightly, and never crank on it, so this was a bit of a shock for me.

That being said, Midway had some nice tac sol rail/sight mounts for around $60 (Clearance), so they'll be here in a few days.

Thanks again for the advice all. The screw is off, the barrel is untouched, and the buckmark will be back up and running by the weekend.

B.

[Hunt]

I had the same problem with stripped screws, Get some good allen wrenches and set them by tapping them into the slot so you have a good grip before twisting. I got lucky, I was able to just tap the wrench down tight in to a good
fit. Bought new screws from Browning and am now careful with these screws. You have to be careful as this is poor design by browning, but once fixed no problem, I use plumbers teflon tape to hold mine in and have no problems.