Enfield No 5, stuck screw advice?

[Catch22]

Looking for some assistance before I dive too far in.

I've got a project No. 5 carbine I got a couple years ago and am finally getting back around to toying with. However, I've ran into a bit of a problem.

The screw that goes through the back of the trigger guard/bottom of the reciever is a mess. It appears someone's messed with it before, as half of the head is broke off and it looks like someone's drilled the back side (fortunately it looks smaller than the threads).

I've been hitting it with penetrating oil the past few days trying to get it worked in a bit before I start trying to fiddle with it.

Anyway, open to any suggestions that might help me get it out. Hoping the threads aren't boogered up, but I won't find that out until I get it out.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Small diameter screw that one. Kroil is the best penetrating oil I have found. Soak and soak again. Do not know if they make a screw extractor that small if so one cucked in a drill press
and turned by hand while applying down force on the piece?
Thinking out loud.

[Singer B]

For a problem screw like that, I call my next-door neighbor and he comes over and removes it. He then gets first crack at shooting the gun when it is done.......

[72 usmc]

see link:
5 ways
Gunsmithing: 5 Ways To Remove Frozen Screws - Gun Digest

Drilling
How to Remove a Stuck Screw Presented by Larry Potterfield | MidwayUSA Gunsmithing - YouTube

More ideas:
Gunsmith Price Check: Removing a Stuck Stripped Screw | Survivalist Forum


also see which oil to use: Tips for stubborn seized Milsurp screws! - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.org

I recut the slot with a dremel after soaking for a week. The I use an antique electric soldering iron to heat the screw and try to turn it after 10min of heat. I twist it tight, I twist it off to see if I can get movement without to much force that will destroy the new slot. No movement? I use spray penetrating oil to cool the screw and give it a smack on the end of the screwdriver. THEN REHEAT Again. Try to get movement. Smack the screwdriver while in the slot and the screw is hot. See if you get movement? cool it with penetrating spray. Let it soak with kroi oil for a day. Apply a dropper two every hours and let it soak it. Then then next day smack, heat, turn and see what happens. You may have to drill the sucker out. Be sure you use the largest iron the will heat the screw, not the surrounding metal or wood. It may take 15 min of heat to get movement or allow more oil to soak in.

[mmppres]

post a few pictures to let us see what you are dealing with

[Catch22]

So, I ended up drilling it after I wasn't finding anything else that seemed to be an option.

I still have a little bit of the outer part of the screw in the threads to get out, but I'll get to that in a few days when I have some time and patience. At that point I can see if whoever messed with it before me boogered up the threads or not (hoping not).

Thanks for all the input! I'm sure I'll ask more as I progress in this little project. I gave a little twist on the trigger screw and it's locked up, as well. Soaking it up now to try again later.

This poor thing has had a bit of a rough life it looks like.

[Catch22]

What are the odds anyone knows what threads that screw would be? I still have a sliver of the screw in the threads that's being a pain, so I'm prepping ahead if I need to chase threads or not with a tap.

[browningautorifle]

What are the odds anyone knows what threads that screw would be?

That will be talked about in the Lee Enfield forum, if you search you'll find it.

[CINDERS]

Rear Trigger Guard screw Tap or Die is a 4BA (British Association) use a 3mm drill its the same for the No.4 rifle as well.

[ssgross]

Do not know if they make a screw extractor that small

I have had luck using a small torx bit as a substitute on tiny and soft Phillips screws on various electronics. whoops...kept reading and seems I'm too late to the party hopefully you can chase the threads to clean them out.