Enfield Gunsmithing - PH5a Mounting Screws Butchered

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PH5a Mounting Screws Butchered

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Gunsmithing
Forum Description: Submit any how-to's or other gunsmithing suggestions here.
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13167
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:52pm
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Topic: PH5a Mounting Screws Butchered

Posted By: gregdaws
Subject: PH5a Mounting Screws Butchered
Date Posted: January 28 2024 at 7:13am

Hi there

I own a Fultons Accurized BSA No.1 MK111 with a PH 5a rear sight. The previous owner managed to butcher the mounting screws when he tried to remove the sight. I managed to get a new mounting screw kit from a guy in the UK via eBay and I now have to work out how to remove the original screws with the slots in the head almost unusable.

Does anyone have experience of this or something similar? I would have posted images but I had problems resizing photos.

Also, does anyone have an idea where I can get replacement screws for the elevation plate on the sight they are pretty butchered too. If not where I could get them maybe the thread type & size.

Any help appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: January 28 2024 at 3:13pm

You could try using a hammer to drive a slightly over sized bit into the butchered threads then unscrewing with a LOT of down force?

Maybe have a buddy to help, one tapping repeatedly with a small hammer while the other applies rotational force.

All to have to do usually is break the bond then they usually come out easily.

E-Bay maybe for parts there are a couple of dealers specializing in them.

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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: January 28 2024 at 3:50pm

Are these flat head screws? If so, you may be able to clean up the slot with a dremel and cutoff wheel to get a good fit with a larger screw driver. People bugger these up because they don’t have a proper fitting screw driver. You should always use hollow ground flat head screwdrivers on firearms.

The other option is an “easy out” screw extractor kit, but you will have to see if there is one small enough for the screw diameter.

Posted By: Mayhem
Date Posted: January 28 2024 at 5:53pm

You can try a pin punch and hammer. Gently tap the screw counterclocwise. Or, if you can find a left-hand drill (don't laugh, they exist and are brilliant for this) use that. It will undo the screw as it tries to drill into it. I use these a lot for small screws that are not overly tight. Just centre punch the screw first, so the drill doesn't wander.

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.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

Posted By: slowindown
Date Posted: January 28 2024 at 6:18pm

I have had some luck with left handed drill bits over the years too. Believe it or not I found a set at harbor freight a couple of years ago. Approximately what size are the screws? These are 1/16-1/4: https://www.harborfreight.com/left-hand-drill-bit-set-13-piece-61686.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.harborfreight.com/left-hand-drill-bit-set-13-piece-61686.html

Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: January 29 2024 at 2:34pm

I believe they are somewhere around 2,3, of 4 BA

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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: January 29 2024 at 2:43pm

Dremel is going to be touchy on PH5a, one is recessed, deeply recessed. The rear is the same as the rear trigger guard screw which it replaces.(B27 .144dia x 37tpi) the other is the same as the safety spring mounting bolt but again longer (A25 .144dia x 37tpi). Neither is a "standard screw", but you can find them on places like e-bay as "PH5A mounting kits"

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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)