Scope ring bolts VERY tight, Help!
- Thread starter Z400ACDC
- Start date
When trying to remove extremely tight bolts or screws, heat is your friend.
Now since these are on a firearm you don't want to use flame for a heat source for fear of damaging the rifle. The answer, imo, would be a heat gun aka blow dryer
I even keep a blow dryer in my shop for problems like this and others that require heat but exclude some type of open flame.
It sounds like someone may have used loctite on these and heat will melt the loctite and allow you to remove these bolts. Good luck and be patient as the hot air takes a while to warm up the piece.
Now since these are on a firearm you don't want to use flame for a heat source for fear of damaging the rifle. The answer, imo, would be a heat gun aka blow dryer
I even keep a blow dryer in my shop for problems like this and others that require heat but exclude some type of open flame. It sounds like someone may have used loctite on these and heat will melt the loctite and allow you to remove these bolts. Good luck and be patient as the hot air takes a while to warm up the piece.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
Also be sure the tool has a precise fit. If a little loose and you slip. the screws could be damaged a bit making it then harder to remove.
Liquid Wrench or equal is your friend. Put a few drops on each screw and let sit for a couple of hours. Next find a screwdriver / flatblade tip or allen head, whichever is correct, put it in the scrw head and give it a whack with a "small" hammer. They should then come out easily. If not.... repeat.
If you have a small soldering iron, put the tip against the offending screw and turn on the heat. The tip will place a conentrated amount of heat where it's need anf it sholdn't take more that a couple of minutes per screw. I sometimes use my Weller iron for that purose. It looks lie a gun so they'd suspend me from school 
but it works. My main iron is one a plumber would use back in the day when a blow torch would be a hazard. Takes it forever to heat up but it works better than anything else I can think of. Danf thing weighs a ton though.
Paul B.
but it works. My main iron is one a plumber would use back in the day when a blow torch would be a hazard. Takes it forever to heat up but it works better than anything else I can think of. Danf thing weighs a ton though.Paul B.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
You are not wrong about expanding- just not sure if enough to matter. But the heat may loosen Loctite if it happens to be present. Personally, I've never come across scope ring screws that ever needed anything other than a correct fit of the tool to loosen. Granted, some were tighter than others, but they broke free at a reasonable amount of torque. I can't emphasize enough to have a proper and well fitting tool. Also apply some down force on it as you twist. If your rings are like mine, I'd use a T-10, but some brands of T-10's fit better than others. Use a quality made bit if it is a Torx. In case the tool is second rate, it could be soft or under-sized and slip.
reynolds357
New member
As stated above, heat is your best option. I have had to drill a few sets of rings off over the years.
If all else fails, you might give this a try:
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html