Good way to shorten a small screw in '92 Marlin 32 Lg Colt?

[otteray]

I had a broken cartridge guide spring in my 1892 Marlin. The flat spring sits up in the top inside of the receiver, just behind the chamber.
The screw had been replaced with silver solder or something, years ago. I removed that.
Anyway, I sent away to Numrich for the spring and screw; the spring fits good, but the little screw is about .065" too long and prevents the bolt from traveling forward when closing the action.
So, what's the best way to trim this tiny retaining screw to the right length?
I'm a carpenter, not a machinist, but I do know my framing hammer is not the right tool to use!

[otteray]

I ask 'cause I don't want to booger up the threads.

[Sixgun]

What you need is a large sledge hammer, (about 12 pounds) and whack it like you were going to whack a carjacker.

Ha---- Anyway, because the end of the screw will not be showing, just get yourself a good pair of pliers or small vise grips. Use a little bit of thin leather and grip the head of the screw with the shank sticking out. A fine grinder will work but good ole' sandpaper will work too. Just pay attention and keep it at 90 degrees and go back and forth until you get the right length.

A little cold blue and some oil will finish the job up if you happen to mar it a bit.----------Sixgun

[otteray]

Okay, I do have a orbital finishing sander. Then I just need to get the right grit paper.
Thanks.

[Sixgun]

Okay, I do have a orbital finishing sander. Then I just need to get the right grit paper.
Thanks.

Not necessarily-- Because the end of the screw will not be showing, even 80 grit will work--Just press lightly and be careful not to take off too much----------Sixgun

[otteray]

I got lots of 80 grit! I'll give it a go tomorrow.

[mescalero1]

If you can, put on a small nut of the proper size.
Do your work above the nut
when you obtain the right length
unscrew the nut, it will pull a small burr with it
trim the burr
fininshed screw

[jdad]

Save yourself a lot of frustration and headaches, in the future, and order your old Marlin parts from http://www.wisnersinc.com.

The correct screw is $3.25.

[mescalero1]

Original equipment is ALWAYS the best solution!

[otteray]

Save yourself a lot of frustration and headaches, in the future, and order your old Marlin parts from http://www.wisnersinc.com.

The correct screw is $3.25.

If I blow shortening the screw, that's who I will contact. Thanks.
I've used both Numrich (many times) and Wisners (a few times) in the past and have had good results.
Actually, I bought the same rifle's centerfire pin from Wisners and with only a few strokes of a file, it fit perfect.

[Charles]

My mentor in gunsmithing taught me to drill and tap a hole in a piece of scrap metal. Screw the screw into the hole and remove the excess with a bench grinder. You will need to hold the screw with a driver or pliers. You can remove any number of threads with total control and when you remove the screw all of the burrs come off. I have several pieces of scrap steel that are drilled and tapped for most common gun screws.

If a fellow messes with guns these little gizmos will be real time savers over time.

[mescalero1]

And I thought only us guys from the res. did that

[Lefty Dude]

For a screw vise to hold small screws that I want to shorten. I use a small 1/4" drill chuck that fits in my Skill electric screwdriver. The shank is a 1/4" hex drive and this can be held by hand or in a vise. I chuck the screw head in the small vise, then use my dremel tool with a stone attached and work the thread to the proper length. Or you can use a Machinist Pin vise, if ya got one.

[Hobie]

When shortening screw using power equipment, especially when the work or the tool is hand-held, have a magnet handy to find the screw. Don't ask me how I know.

[otteray]

Hey, followed the advice and now it functions great!
Thanks, folks.

[Mike Hunter]

Ok

What you need is a good Lathe: $ 8-10K
Bison 5C Collet chuck $500
Emergency 5 C Collet $25

Now bore the 5 C collett, to the same size as the head, now just put screw into chuck and trim off .065

Easy

[okdee]

Hey now!

Show us a picture of your Marlin 92. I have one. I take it yours can shoot centerfire and rimfire?

Oklahoma Dee

[otteray]

Hey now!

Show us a picture of your Marlin 92. I have one. I take it yours can shoot centerfire and rimfire?

Oklahoma Dee

]
Yes, I reload with trimmed brass or shorts.
Great out to 50 yards, or so, with my late dad's heeled mould (Old West Bullet Moulds) that is pretty similar to Lyman's.
You can see that it is a bit worn.
The 39 below survived the past decades much better!