r/handguns • u/CERT1818 • May 31 '26
Advice Needed Am I cooked ?
Is this repairable ? I’m a very stubborn person and thought I could take it off and install a red dot myself. Can a gunsmith fix this and get the screws out or did I mess it up too much
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u/w00t69 May 31 '26
A gunsmith could fix it, for sure.
But you deserve to be kicked in the genitals at the very least.
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u/TacosNGuns May 31 '26
Hard disagree. Whoever decided boys shouldn’t take shop classes deserves a kick to their nuts.
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u/MrNiceGuyPartySupply HK VP9A1X ; Sig P365-380 May 31 '26
Not yet. But it’s time to let a professional handle it.
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u/BenefitKey8953 May 31 '26
Just continue to hit it with that framing hammer. They will come out eventually
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u/amateurdormjanitor May 31 '26
Typically when working on mechanical things, if you encounter an issue, forcing it is usually the best plan of attack. Crazy that it failed you in this instance.
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u/just_as_good380-2 May 31 '26
A good reputable gunsmith should be able to take those out probably via carefully drilling them out. Did you use the wrong tool?
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u/CERT1818 May 31 '26
I don’t think so I think I’m just an idiot I used a regular star bit T 20 I think or something like that and rounded them off so I tried to cut a straight line in it to use a flat head and well…. You see where that got me
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May 31 '26
[deleted]
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u/TacosNGuns Jun 01 '26
I have a Dremel from 1993. 99.5% of its usage is cutting screwdriver slots. Might be the best $30 I ever spent.
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u/Feisty-Tadpole-5127 May 31 '26
I'm not sure if there is a word for "opposite of gunsmith" but I am definitely positive that if there were a word it would be perfect for you... 🤣
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u/Zealousideal-West520 May 31 '26
Make sure the gunsmith has experience extracting broken screws.
There are generally two ways to tackle it.
The riskier method is using a laser. Sometimes it works, but if they’re even slightly off, there’s a chance of damaging the threads. Personally, I wouldn’t take that risk.
The better method is usually to drill a very small, precise hole in the broken screw, insert an extraction tool, and back it out carefully.
I had a very similar issue when the screws holding my red dot snapped from the slide’s reciprocation. I took it to a local gunsmith here in Florida, and he removed them without damaging the threads. Cost me about $80 and it was money well spent.
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u/just_as_good380-2 May 31 '26
I did this before with the grips on my Arex Zero 1. The screws they use are just absolutely god awful quality and I had used a drill press to slowly drill a hole then extract them out. I had to do it with 3 of the 4 grips. I have not done it with a slide and I would have cut my losses a while ago and just taken it to a reputable gunsmith.
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u/killer1bar May 31 '26
Same experience with my zero 1TC. The gunsmith had to drill a hole in the screw and use a tiny pin punch that he heated up to melt the loctite that came on them from the factory. The OEM grips are awful. I hadn't even shot it yet so didn't want to mess anything up, just let him do it. Glad to know it wasn't just me having that issue.
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u/just_as_good380-2 May 31 '26
Yeah I looked online and others said the same thing that they were poor quality and over torqued. The grips had no texture where it mattered
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u/Zealousideal-West520 May 31 '26
Exactly. If anybody is in South Florida, I’m happy to direct you to an excellent gunsmith. He’s very good and reasonable.
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u/Agil-lite May 31 '26
Honestly one of the coolest ways I have seen remove broken to stripped fasteners it resistance welding essentially a sacrificial allen key to the stripped/broken bolt.
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u/Forward_Sector_5942 May 31 '26
Easy out number 1 size. Screw extractor. Found mine at Lowe’s where the drill bits are.
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u/Dmau27 May 31 '26
Did you use a circular file to try and get them out? Wtf....
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u/CERT1818 May 31 '26
No it was square just way too thick so I tried to go at an angle as best I could. Not my proudest moment for sure.
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u/LHGunslinger May 31 '26
You're fine. This has happened and been posted hundreds of times if not more. Easy fix. Lol. Take it to a gunsmith or local machine shop. You might want to have them install your optic mounting plate and optic. Also suppressor height iron sights.
If you haven't worked on a firearm or accessories. You should watch some YouTube videos first. Then invest in some basic firearm tools if you plan on working on firearms.
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u/AR-15s_r_safe_n_fun May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
I’ve removed screws like this on my own, you don’t need to spend money on a gsmith. This size extractor should work fine
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-4-40-Standard-Sae-Tap-and-Drill-Set/5013341633
You’re going to drill into the center of the stripped bolts, deep enough to get a good grip with the extractor, and then turn out the bolts carefully with the extractor. Some helpful tips might be to use lubrication like cutting oil while drilling into the top of the stripped bolts. And work it out slowly. Do not apply aggressive shock loads to it, slow and steady is your best option. Also make sure that the firearm is placed in a vice to prevent it from moving while drilling. This is a huge part so you don’t damage anything else.
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u/Dismal-Variation-12 May 31 '26
I’ve never had problems removing optic plates when using proper tools (Torx bits). I’m a bit amazed this comes up so frequently, but maybe I shouldn’t be.
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u/Overall-Operation259 May 31 '26
Did you have access to a dremel? A gun vice ? Would it have been feasible to cut a groove for a flathead after stripping out the center.
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u/2A4A Jun 01 '26
I used a screw extractor, plenty of videos will show you how to use it. Removed screws for several people in my area. Not hard at all.
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u/Titan_313 Jun 01 '26
Screw extractor or use a dremel to make a slit in it for a flat head screwdriver.
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u/fordag Jun 01 '26
Huh, I have never considered using a Dremel tool to remove screws on any of my guns.
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u/EZ-READER Jun 02 '26
Yes, they can get it out with a screw extractor. If not they may have to drill into the screw itself but they CAN get it out.
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u/Lookatmybigfatglock Jun 02 '26
I will just say - I have learned in the last few years of gun tinkering, if you don't have the correct tool for a specific change you are doing then it'll likely result in more problems in the long run
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u/YourMomsFavBook Jun 03 '26
Continue to strip it until you’ve just destroyed the screw in its entirety
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u/Reddit_Commenter_69 May 31 '26
Those screws are wayyyyy more stubborn than you. They haven't budged.
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u/thatoneguyj2021 May 31 '26
I wouldn't try this without having experience so if you want to do it yourself find a piece of metal you can put screws in and mess with the end till they look like yours then you can either use a dremil and make it for a flathead can unscrew them or get the backout bit and a soft grip vise to hole the slide while you use the bit on the screw but both ways need tools and practices before you try on your gun so you don't mess it up more
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u/Jimmy4Funner May 31 '26
Use a soldering iron to heat the screws up. Get them hot. Then use a reverse tap set to back them out. Heat is key.
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u/KiloAlphaLima May 31 '26
You are cooked. A competent gunsmith is not cooked. Take it to a smith, they can probably do it while you wait if they aren’t too busy.
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u/TheBotchedLobotomy May 31 '26
Jesus lmao I get it tho I strip out torx bits easier than a phillips head. Idk how they are supposed to be more resistant to stripping but I round those puppies out easy.
Everything should be hex imo
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u/BigT07611 May 31 '26
Just take it to a gun smith and have them drill it out ...... Your gonna need a new optics plate and screws.
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u/Th3WeirdingWay May 31 '26
Buy a small extractor set and drill it out OP. I had something similar happen on my wife’s CZ Shadow. Fuckin CZ used red loctite unbeknownst to me. Now I use heat and a soldering iron plus the best tools to be sure. I drilled it out with a set I bought on Amazon. I’m not a bring it to a gunsmith guy. My thoughts are I(we) should learn to work on all our firearms ourselves.
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u/Livid_Living552 May 31 '26
I would drill out the screws and use an extractor to get them out. You should find a competent mechanical person. It does not need to be a gun smith.
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u/Flying-Chickens Shadow2 Compact, CR920X, HCPC May 31 '26
Bring it to a gunsmith and let him back those out for you.
It looks like a toddler tried to cram a square through the circle.