Can Someone Help Me?

[MO_Soldier]

First I must apologize for my absence. Not that anyone has suffered but I still feel like I haven't been there for my forum friends. Once I get internet I will be online regularly again.

I have a CTC laser on my PM9. The screws that hold it on have stripped. Not the threads, but the heads of the screws as if the heads are too soft for the tension needed to keep them on. I have already received free replacements from Crimson Trace with no questions asked. I want to take the laser off to clean and to holster it in my Crossbreed Holster since I haven't been able to use anything but a pocket holster since I mounted it on.

My question is, is there someone on here that can tap or drill/tap my laser for me for free in a few minutes of their spare time? Or is there someone that could work with me to temporarily provide a tap to me via mail or in person so that I can do it and mail it back? Any other suggestions would also be appreciated!

~Austin
Thanks guys and I hope everyone is doing well!

[CJB]

First thing that comes to mind - correct tool being used? Those tiny screws sometimes have total non tolerance for incorrect Phillips head screwdrivers.... ditto on small allen keys

[skiflydive]

If the threads are OK why do you need to tap anything?

[Tilos]

I would take a screw to Lowes, H depot, Ace hardware and use the test block they have and identify the thread size and buy a bunch of screws so you never have to use them over and over.

And to what CJB said about the correct tool, while at the store for the screws go to the tool section and try all the screw drivers they have to get the best fit.

Tilos

[MW surveyor]

I would take a screw to Lowes, H depot, Ace hardware and use the test block they have and identify the thread size and buy a bunch of screws so you never have to use them over and over.

And to what CJB said about the correct tool, while at the store for the screws go to the tool section and try all the screw drivers they have to get the best fit.

Tilos

This is what I'll be doing today with my j frame. I don't have the proper size screw driver to fit the small screws and I don't want to Bubba them up!

[Tilos]

In general, not to anyone specific here, some people are good at other types of tinkering besides guns.
I value the skills and ability of the guy who mounts my tires but I wouldn't let him near my guns.

I have had ham fisted friends/shooting buddies that could booger up a gun something sinful.
I have had to tackle a guy bellying up to the side of my truck, in full belt buckle mode, loading a bag of fertilizer.
To some, guns and trucks are just a tool, but to me they are cherished things of beauty.
YMMV,
Tilos


even glocks:eek:

[OldLincoln]

OK, that's what he "should have" done... but now how does he get those tiny screws with rounded slots out? Curious minds want to know.

[cesande]

I almost hesitate to post this but here goes...
Being an old farm boy I have used this countless times to get head stripped screws out but fear the electronics of the CT won't like it.

When screw heads get stripped out I have had lots of success by....

Get the best fitting screwdriver for the stripped head.
While turning as tight as you can without it slipping out, give the back end of the screwdriver repeated taps with appropriate sized hammer.
The idea is to keep tension loosening the screw and the hammer will let you use the vibration to aid in turning it out.

They used to sell a tool for this (can't find it just now), but I found that the ol screwdriver with a few raps with a hammer did just as well.

Again not sure the electronics in the CT would be happy with this but if you are gentle enough it may not hurt to try since it can handle recoil....

YMMV

[muggsy]

OK, that's what he "should have" done... but now how does he get those tiny screws with rounded slots out? Curious minds want to know.

Linc,
He can carefully drill the center of the screw head with a drill that's the same size as the thread of the screw until the head of the screw is removed. He can then remove the laser sight and remove what's left of the screw with a small pair of vice grips. Where there's a will there's a way.

[Tilos]

They make left hand drills to remove stripped screw heads.
If the screws don't budge, the worste that happens is the screw heads fall off, relieving the tension on the screw, allowing you to take it apart, and remove the headless screws with plyers.

OL: My bad, I mis-understood, but I do KNOW a tap won't remove a stripped screw head:o.
I love these little buggers:

Tilos

[skiflydive]

I almost hesitate to post this but here goes...
Being an old farm boy I have used this countless times to get head stripped screws out but fear the electronics of the CT won't like it.

When screw heads get stripped out I have had lots of success by....

Get the best fitting screwdriver for the stripped head.
While turning as tight as you can without it slipping out, give the back end of the screwdriver repeated taps with appropriate sized hammer.
The idea is to keep tension loosening the screw and the hammer will let you use the vibration to aid in turning it out.

They used to sell a tool for this (can't find it just now), but I found that the ol screwdriver with a few raps with a hammer did just as well.

Again not sure the electronics in the CT would be happy with this but if you are gentle enough it may not hurt to try since it can handle recoil....

YMMV

What he said. PLUS Buy a set of really good jewelers screwdrivers and pick the one that fits the slot or the cross as closely as possible. Don't use some Harbor Freight POS, get GOOD screwdrivers with hardened tips if possible. Use a light hammer with light taps and turn the screwdriver counterclockwise as you tap.

[nksmfamjp]

I like the farm boy suggestion. Another good enough idea would be to take something which almost fits, dip it in epoxy and epoxy it to the head of the screw. You will need to set it up so it can cure for 24 hours, but this might work, if you are close to having the tool fit.

[Tilos]

OK Then, I just went to the CT site via the link at the top of this page and watch the install vid.
That vid showed hex keyed screws and advised using only the long end, while turning the short end of the wrench provided.
Often wrenches "provided" are soft and of poor quality, only to be used once, and I would suggest buying a quality wrench (hex key) and stoning of filing the END to remove any bevel and get crisp corners on the hex surfaces to help avoid stripping of the screw head.

Tilos

Edit: In the vid the screws look to be 5-40 or 4-40 which is quite small, and I believe, not easily removed using the farm boy method.:D

[rogerthedodger]

The screws are very small, I'm surprised you didn't strip the threads on the laser body. They are not mean't to be tightened more than just finger tight. Get the next bigger size wrench, use pressure as you turn it, you should be able to get them out. Do not use any power tools or drills, you will for sure damage the plastic body and the Crimson Trace guarantee. The tool they provide is good quality, I have never stripped a screw and I own many (10) CT lasers.

[cesande]

....., not easily removed using the farm boy method.:D

Come on man.... what can't be fixed with a hammer.. screwdriver... well and maybe some bailing wire and duct tape....

:)

[Scoundrel]

A lot of times, when I was drilling a hole in a stripped screw in preparation for using a screw extractor, the head fell off and/or the thing started spinning just from the vibration of drilling it.

I've recently acquired a set of those reverse threaded drill bits for the next one, but have not had an opportunity to use them yet.

I like the epoxy idea, maybe some JB Weld. If that fails, then the backwards drill bits.

[Tilos]

FYI:
During the manufacturing of hex keys the ends are sheared, before bending, and this distorts the working ends of the wrench.
Even a good quality hex key can be improved by stoning/filing the ends to remove this distortion, and becomes critical in the smaller sizes used to work on guns.

Also, torx head drivers benefit from this to sharpen the corners and ensure complete engagement into the screw.

TMI,
Tilos

[Allen]

In general, not to anyone specific here, some people are good at other types of tinkering besides guns.
I value the skills and ability of the guy who mounts my tires but I wouldn't let him near my guns.

I have had ham fisted friends/shooting buddies that could booger up a gun something sinful.
I have had to tackle a guy bellying up to the side of my truck, in full belt buckle mode, loading a bag of fertilizer.
To some, guns and trucks are just a tool, but to me they are cherished things of beauty.
YMMV,
Tilos


even glocks:eek:

Ain't that the truth. I just love those guys, and I think a lot of it is "Oh well it's the other guys property so what". Nobody respects anyone else's property anymore.

[MO_Soldier]

Sorry but this must be a short response.
They're hex screws and TINY!
And I used the allen wrenches provided by Crimson Trace.
I think that's the gist of the questions out there.

[rogerthedodger]

If you haven't got them loose yet, I think you should first stone or grind the end of the allen wrench supplied by CT to get nice clean points on it(not stripped), and then using that wrench with some pressure, remove the screws. If they are stripped in the plastic CT frame, contact CT for ideas, they have a support email site.
Roger

[cobrasjp]

MO_Soldier,
Where are you located? Somewhere in Missouri, I assume.

[MO_Soldier]

I'm in the Greater Springfield area cobra.
You?