Stand in for 6-32 socket cap screws

pidevildog07 · Feb 8, 2019

One of the socket cap screws snapped while I was torqueing a superlative arms gas block clamp style on my 300blk pistol and was wondering if there's any difference in using say a panhead Phillips screw instead of socket cap. The reason I ask is I'd really like to sight this thing in Saturday and a Lowes, home depot, and tractor supply later I still can't find these damn things, even in the "specialty" drawers. Does anyayous have any experience with this type of thing or am I screwed (lol) until I get them from maybe fastenal?

rseymorejr · Feb 8, 2019

Not sure where you live but Courtland Hardware, in Fallston, has a nice selection of gun screws.

pidevildog07 · Feb 8, 2019

I'm on the other side of the bay. Salisbury to be more precise.

Bertfish · Feb 8, 2019

Socket head cap screws are generally a stronger material than other fasteners. Just FYI

inkd · Feb 8, 2019

If you have a Fastenal store close by, they may have it.

You may have to buy a hundred of them though.

pidevildog07 · Feb 8, 2019

Looks like I won't be sighting in a pistol this weekend : /

Art3 · Feb 8, 2019

rseymorejr said:
Not sure where you live but Courtland Hardware, in Fallston, has a nice selection of gun screws.

Yes, a real hardware store is your best bet for getting it in your hands tomorrow. Maybe an auto parts store.

Amazon would probably have smaller quantities than Fastenal if you have to order.

rseymorejr · Feb 8, 2019

pidevildog07 said:
Looks like I won't be sighting in a pistol this weekend : /

You need to call around to any local old time hardware stores (if there are such a thing anymore) maybe you will get lucky. I needed 2 screws for a Stoeger shotgun last summer. I could order them for about $5 each but I was able to find them for about .75 each at Courtland, (the Bel Air location didn't carry them so they sent me to Fallston)

I wonder if Molly's would have anything??

pidevildog07 · Feb 8, 2019

Bertfish said:
Socket head cap screws are generally a stronger material than other fasteners. Just FYI

That's what I figured. Must've gotten a lemon.

smdub · Feb 9, 2019

pidevildog07 said:
Looks like I won't be sighting in a pistol this weekend : /

Just use a pan head or something, reasonably tightened. It's not critical. Replace when you get the correct one.
Cheap SHCS are soft. Cheap set screws are worse! Manufacturers often don't spec a high quality screw to save a quarter

ezracer · Feb 9, 2019

FYI there's an ACE Hardware store in Salisbury. They USUALLY have a very good selection of fasteners...at least at my ACE.
:thumbsup:

outrider58 · Feb 9, 2019

Try these guys?

https://trlfirearms.business.site/

pidevildog07 · Feb 9, 2019

Alright, alright everybody CALM DOWN. I was able to pick up some socket caps from elliots in Ocean city. Crisis averted. Got more coming from Amazon, which might be where these companies get their fasteners from anyway lol.

pidevildog07 · Feb 9, 2019

smdub said:
Just use a pan head or something, reasonably tightened. It's not critical. Replace when you get the correct one.
Cheap SHCS are soft. Cheap set screws are worse! Manufacturers often don't spec a high quality screw to save a quarter

Apparently they did because I've snapped every screw I bought today at 28in lbs lol. Superlative arms spec is 30 not to exceed 34. I've tried tightening the clamp screws without a torque driver (wheeler) and they don't reach a point when they (clamping screws) feel like they're hitting a wall and reaching the end of their travel they just keep going and snap.

I really did feel like using a clamp style gb was the way to go to get a good gas seal and even pressure around the barrel. Good thing I've got some of their set screw types as back up

smdub · Feb 10, 2019

Yeah, 30-34 is good.
https://www.holo-krome.com/uploads/7/2/7/5/72754089/hk_torquedatachart.pdf
Holo-krome, unbrako, etc are good screws. We've been buying from McMaster and they are carrying a french(?) import brand now. It still works well. I wouldn't trust ANY screw from Amazon.

Boxcab · Feb 10, 2019

Good bolts are tough to find. The Chinese crap has become a real problem. Unbrako and others listed above are good. Mcmaster-carr can be hit or miss, but you can get the specs/certs from them to confirm. Good metals and proper heat treat are not cheap.

Good luck.

.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

clandestine · Feb 11, 2019

I wouldn't trust superlative arms 30in# suggestion. That is high unless you have quality fasteners AND a quality but for your torque driver.

I prefer knurled tip set screws from McMaster.

pidevildog07 · Feb 11, 2019

clandestine said:
I wouldn't folks superlative arms 30in# suggestion. That is high unless you have quality fasteners AND a quality but for your torque driver.

I prefer knurled tip set screws from McMaster.

Hell it's all good. I believe it was you that told me in another thread for an AR 308 set screw gas block that carbon is like clotting blood. Plus I've got a dimple jig now.

I was researching for suppressing a 300blk and adjustable block was the first thing I saw along with an article from pew pew tactical discussing the different types of blocks and the merits of set screw and clamp. I ultimately went with clamp style because of equal pressure around the barrel and a supposed better gas seal. NOW I'm thinking that even though that may be true of clamp gb's, the hardware goes through more stress when tightening. Not only do the screws have to clamp, they also have to DRAG somewhat don't they? If thats the case then it's no wonder that they're snapping the way they are.

bigjohn · Feb 11, 2019

Check ace hardware in Salisbury. The one in Millsborro has gun screws but not sure about the socket head. R.d. greir also has a good selection of odd things like that

kalister1 · Feb 11, 2019

Look for Grade 8 Screws.

Stand in for 6-32 socket cap screws

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