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How to Make Gun Screws the Proper Length

The screws on many firearms are very small. Screws are used to attach stocks, fore ends, side plates, sights and scopes. If a screw is damaged or lost, the replacement screw may be too long and need to be shortened. Another reason to shorten a screw may be to "clock" flat-head screws. Clocking is achieved when all flat-head screw heads are parallel to each other and point in the same direction. A jig or fixture must be used to file, grind or sand screws to size and avoid damaging the remaining threads.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Vise
Flat bar stock
Drill
Drill bit
Tap and tap handle
Cutting oil
Screwdriver
Brake cleaner
Rag
Medium-strength thread-locking compound
Grinder
Sander
File
Wire brush

Instructions

- 1
  Secure the flat bar stock in the vise. Install the drill bit in the drill, then drill a straight hole through the bar stock.
- 2
  Install the tap in the tap handle. Use the tap to cut threads in the hole in the bar stock. Use cutting oil if necessary.
- 3
  Spray brake cleaner in and around the tapped hole and wipe it dry with the rag.
- 4
  Place a drop of medium-strength thread-locking compound on the threads of the screw. Screw the screw into the fixture, with the excess threads protruding out the other side of the bar stock. The thread locker will help prevent the screw from turning.
- 5
  Use the file to file down the excess threads. File down until the threads are even with the bar stock.
- 6
  If there are more than a few threads to remove, use a grinder or sander to remove the material. The bar stock may be removed from the vise and held by hand if you're using a stationary grinder or sander.
- 7
  Remove the screw from the bar stock and use the brake cleaner and wire brush to remove the thread-locking compound.

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